Patan District

Patan district is located in northern Gujarat. The district is spread across seven talukas, viz. Santalpur, Patan, Chanasma, Harij, Sami, Radhanpur and Sidhpur. The region is famous for Patola sarees. Key raw materials such as cotton, fennel, isabgul, and cowpea are abundantly available in the district. The total area of the district is 5, 667.55 sq. km. As per 2001 census the population of this district is 11, 82,709 with a population density of 209 persons per sq. km.

Geographical location of Patan is 23.55 degree to 24.41 degree North (Latitude) and 71.31 degree to 72.20 degree East (Longitude). The maximum temperature of Patan district is 45 degree centigrade and the minimum temperature is 7 degree centigrade. Average rainfall in this district is 600 mm. Saraswati River is the main river in this district.

There are 786 primary schools and 171 secondary and higher secondary schools at Patan district. The district houses some of the renowned technical and law colleges. The district also has the provision for distance learning programs and correspondence courses offered by various Study Centers under Open University Scheme of Indian universities. The Government Engineering College and K.D. Polytechnic College at Patan offers courses in computer science, electronics and communications and mechanical engineering.

Economy of Patan District in the state of Gujarat is for the most part agrarian. Food processing, agriculture, and textiles are the most important vocational and industrial activities in Patan. Food processing has been the major sector for investment and employment in Patan district since the past few decades. The Food Processing Industry of Patan is well developed because of the nearness to agricultural districts such as Mehsana, Banaskantha etc. With the current surge in investments in the oil and gas sector, Patan is more and more shaping up into an attractive destination for investors. Textile sector also contributes largely to the district financial system. Patan Patola is one of the supreme hand woven textile materials produced. Besides this, Mashru, a mixed fabric, woven with an amalgamation of cotton and silk is also traditionally produced in Patan District.

Most important food crops, oil seeds and fruits produced in the district include wheat, bajri, castor, rape, cereals, pulses, cotton, mustard, citrus fruits, pomegranate, ber, guava, papaya, etc. Vegetable crops such as potato, cowpea, brinjal, cabbage, tomato, cauliflower and cluster bean are cultivated in the district. Citrus fruits have the biggest share of 47 percent in production among all the fruits produced in the district. There are more or less 4,641 small scale industries in Patan district. Vegetable and Vanaspati, paper and pulp industry and food and processing industries are some of the major industries which operate in the small scale sector in the district. Vegetables and Vanaspati sector has attracted maximum investments among all the sectors. Patan taluka hosts maximum number of industrial units among all the talukas in the district.

The economy of this district is mainly driven by agriculture and agro- based products. Close proximity to the agro-food and biotech clusters of Ahmedabad has opened up latest opportunity for the food processing industries, research centres and educational institutes. Small scale industry sectors such as food processing, cotton based textiles, paper and pulp industry and vegetable oils mills are the supporting pillars of the district economy. Expansion of infrastructure projects in the district has added more jobs and increased opportunities for the masses. Patan is known for Patola sarees and offers scope for investments in textile sector.

Tourism in Patan District, Gujarat is a beautiful blend of art and architecture with history and religion. Encompassing the monumental temples of three religions, mostly the Jain temples, travel and sightseeing here gives tourists a multifaceted and enthralling experience. But it is most famous for `Rani ki vav`, a sumptuously constructed stepwell of the 11th century, that has been recognised by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Leisure Tourism in Patan District : The main attractions include the many ancient "Vavs" (stepwells) and "Talavs" (lakes in the form of artificial tanks), apart from forts and other places of worship.

Rani ki Vav: The "Rani ki vav" or the Queen`s Stepwell, is an ornate and elaborate subterranean architectural structure that marks the zenith of the evolution of stepwells in India. Designed as an inverted temple highlighting the sanctity of water, it welcomes its visitors through a stepped corridor, heading to seven storeyed pillared pavilions through the cool air, which have been profusely adorned with exquisite and intricate sculptures and carvings. Numbering more than eight hundred, these artistically rich sculpted creations reflect religious, mythological and secular imageries. Of the deities, most of these are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his Avatars Krishna, Rama and others. Paintings are existent on 400 niches on the walls of "Rani ki vav", thus making this stepwell religiously, spiritually and artistically very significant.

Sahastralinga Talav: Just north of "Rani ki Vav" is an eleventh century reservoir "Sahastralinga Talav", meaning "lake of a thousand lingas". This artificial tank surpasses all others built in different parts of the state, technologically, artistically and spiritually. The architecture of this tank too has been done in integration with the sanctity of water. From about thousand of shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva constructed on its edge, the ruins of only some remain, looking at which, one can only imagine the splendour and grandeur of the reservoir.

Hemachandracharya Gyan Mandir: The renowned Jain scholar and poet Hemachandracharya built this Gyan Mandir, literally "temple of knowledge", an ancient library that includes a number of ancient palm-leaf Jain manuscripts in Sanskrit and Prakrit (some written in gold ink) and the literature that he wrote.

Muslim Architecture: The early Muslim constructions, built even earlier than those in Ahmedabad, such as the Sheikh Farid"s mosque and mausoleum with its beautifully carved ceiling, are a delight to the tourist"s eye.

Pilgrimage Tourism in Patan District : The numerous lot of the Jain temples are the popular stops for pilgrims, the largest one is believed to have ancient writings belonging to Jainism.

Jain Temples: Amongst nearly 150 Jain temples in Patan, the Panchasara Parshvanath and the Shamla Parshvanath are most popular. The former is the largest regional Jain temple, adorned with white marble floors and elaborate stone carvings, a distinct architectural feature of Jains.

Other tourist attractions include the Khan Sarovar lake, Anand Sarovar lake, Kalika Mata temple and Sindhwai Mata temple. Apart from these historically and archaeologically relevant spots, the craft of Mashru Weavers and Patola Weavers in Patan is also to watch out for.