Kheda District

Kheda district is located in the state of Gujarat. The area of the district is 3959 sq km. The district has 13 talukas with Nadiad (district headquarter), Ahmedabad, Kapadwanj, Matar, and Kheda being the urbanised talukas. Famous pilgrimage destinations in the district are Dakor temple, Santram temple, and Mahadev temple.

Kheda district is bounded by Sabarkantha district in the north, Panchmahals district in the east, Vadodara district in the south, and Ahmedabad district in the west. The geographical location of the district is 22.30 degree to 23.18 degree North (Latitude) and 72.32 degree to 73.37 degree East (Longitude). Maximum temperature of Kheda district is 41 degree centigrade and the minimum temperature is 14 degree centigrade. Average rainfall recorded in this place is 723 mm. There are nine rivers which flow through this district which are Mahi, Sabarmati River, Mesvo, Khari, Luni, Vatrak, Shedhi, Mahor and Varasi.

According to Population Census in the year 2011, the Kheda District had population of 2,299,885 of which male and female were 1,185,727 and 1,114,158 respectively. In 2001 census, Kheda had a population of 2,024,216 of which males were 1,052,823 and remaining 971,393 were females. Kheda District population constituted 3.81 percent of total population of Gujarat.

Kheda district has 1596 primary schools, 251 secondary schools and 81 higher secondary schools. Nadiad taluka of the district hosts one of the famous engineering institute `Dharamsinh Desai Institute of Technology` which offers courses in chemicals, instrumentation and control, civil, mechanical, electrical, computer and electronics and communication engineering as well as management and pharmacy courses. There are two nursing colleges, one dental college, and one Ayurvedic college present in the district.

Economy of Kheda district in the state of Gujarat is primarily dependent on the production of tobacco and the cultivation of cotton. Kheda district is also known by the name golden leaf since it is the chief producer of tobacco in the State. Cotton cultivation is in particular popular in Nadiad taluka. Nadiad taluka is the industrial center in the district, with major concentration of industries in sectors like Electrical equipments, Textiles, Paper, and Food processing. One of the leading manufacturers of corrugated boxes in the Country, the Core Emballage Ltd., is present in the district. The upcoming industrial sectors in the district comprise Plastic and its products, Ceramics, Cement and Gypsum.

There are massive natural gas reserves in Matar taluka of the district. Oil and gas company Shell India Ltd. has its bottling plant and filling services in the district. One of the oldest textile industries - New Shorock Mills (Division of Mafatlal Industries) has its operations at Nadiad. The main fruits cultivated in the district include Citrus, Aonla, Banana and Papaya. Kheda is the biggest producer of Aonla contributing 23 percent to the total production in the state. Kheda contributes 7 percent to the total production of vegetables in Gujarat. The important crops of vegetables in the district include potatoes, tomatoes, brinjal and onions. Major Spices grown in the district include cumin seeds, chilly, ginger, fennel seeds, and turmeric. The district is the second largest producer of Tobacco in the State.

Most important minerals found in the district are bauxite, limestone and quartz. Other minerals obtainable in the district include bentonite, sand, gravel, brick sand, road metal, and black trap. Limestone occurs in Balasinor taluka of Kheda with 800 Million tonnes of reserves, processing having 7 percent shares in total reserves of the State. Bauxite reserves are found in Thasara and Kapadwanj talukas (approximately 89 Million tonnes) and quartz reserves exist in Balasinor and Thasar talukas of the district. Some of the mineral-based industries in Kheda are: Bauxite calcination plant, Cement plant, Glazed tiles, Marble cutting, Bentonite pulverising unit, and polishing and Quartz crushing unit.

Presently there are twenty medium and large scale industries in Kheda district. All these industrial units are concentrated in Nadiad, Mahemdabad, and Kheda and Matar talukas of the district. There are 8,186 small scale industries which operate in the Kheda district. Some of the most important industries under SSI are chemicals, varied manufacturing industries, repairing services, food products and nonmetallic mineral products. The proposal for setting up an integrated textile park in Kheda is expected to boost the industrial and financial growth of the district with augment in employment opportunities and investments in the textile sector. The completion of Ahmedabad- Nadiad Expressway and Nadiad-Vadodara Expressway, two lane dual carriageways with full access control has enabled to save time in commuting between these districts and increase the commercial value of the region because of better convenience.

The budding industrial sectors such as Paper, Cement and Gypsum and Ceramics showed an increasing trend in investments in the last two decades. This would further enhance the industrial expansion and economy of the district. Kheda district has some of the best mineral based industries which offer scope for investments in the mining sector.

Tourism in Kheda district, Gujarat, is a summation of varied and wondrous experiences for the visitors. The magnificent temples situated in the district make it a popular pilgrimage destination, attracting a plethora of devotees and pilgrims. The architecture of the temple as well as the artistic features that embellish them forms other points of attraction for these temples. Apart from this, there are many other intriguing sites which makes Kheda district a cherished tourist place.

Santram Temple : Santram Temple is located in Nadiad of Kheda district. It is dedicated to Santram Maharaj who is considered as the reincarnation of Hindu Trinity, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva and has been depicted with six hands and three heads. It is also involved in various social activities and works for the betterment of needy people. The trust of Santram Mandir runs an eye clinic, a physiotherapy centre and other charitable projects. Cultural activities are also conducted by it. Branches of Santram Mandir are located in other places including Karamsad, Vadodara and many others.

Shri Swaminarayan Temple : Shri Swaminarayan Temple is situated in Vadtal. The temple has three shrines out of which the central one is dedicated to Lakshmi Narayan. Colourful wooden carvings adorn the wooden pillars of the temple. A "dharamsala" is also located inside the temple premises. A garden is also there in the northwest of the temple gate where three memorials stand, dedicated to Swaminarayan. This temple bears a lotus shape, having nine domes. The temple took 15 months to complete and Swaminarayan himself had installed the idols of Laxmi Narayan Dev, on 3rd of November 1824. The installation ceremony was accompanied by devotional fervour and Vedic hymns.

Shree Mahalakshmi Temple : Shree Mahalakshmi Temple is another famous temple of Kheda district that hosts a pure marble structure of Goddess Mahalakshmi.

Dakor : Dakor is a religious place dedicated to Lord Ranchhodraiji. It is situated near Nadiad taluka of the district. There are eight domes and twenty four gold leaves covered turrets.

Wanakbori Thermal Power Station : Wanakbori Thermal Power Station is also located in Kheda district along the bank of Mahi River. It is a coal-fired power station having seven units, with a capacity of 210 MW each.

Dinosaur and Fossil Park : It is another attractive tourist place of Kheda district which houses a huge collection of fossils and fossilised eggs of a dinosaur which is predicted to be about 10 metres long. The fossils date back to 65 million years ago. The park has plaster models of dinosaur and also displays various information about them.