Know about Vadnagar in Gujarat, the birthplace of Narendra Modi

Vadnagar(Gujarat): Cobbled narrow lanes. Old two-storey homes. An ancient temple. A lake in the heart of the town. These are the first impressions of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's home town - the dusty, sleepy temple town of Vadnagar in Mehsana district in north Gujarat.Out here everyone, from skinny street urchins to portly shopkeepers, Congress supporters to BJP backers, happily chant the 'Modi Mantra'.Also known as City of Temples, the place has many holy places dedicated to Hindu gods. Two prominent temple complexes at Vadnagar are Hatkeshwar and Amther Mata. Both these complexes display detailed carvings and themes in red and yellow sandstone. There is a Sun temple in Amther Mata.Vadnagar is mentioned often in the Puranas and even in the travelogue of the great Chinese traveler, Hieu-en-Tsang, as a rich and flourishing town. The inscription on the Arjun Bari Gate shows that King Kumarpal fortified the city in 1152 AD. Some other names attributed to Vadnagar in history are Chamatkarpur, Anandpur, Snehpur and Vimalpur.The city is also known as Chamatkari pur. According to a legend, there lived two sisters, Tana and Riri. Their story takes place in the 16th century, when Akbar's court flourished with art and music. Tansen, considered to be a most remarkable musician, was once ordered by his King to sing the Deepak raga. Despite knowing that it would produce excessive heat and cause him to suffer an acute fever, Tansen followed the Emperor's command and the only cure for this was Megh Malhar raga.He heard of the sisters Tana and Riri who could sing this raga, and obtained permission from their father to do so and cure him. Located 112 km from Ahmedabad, the township owes almost everything, from public works to projects, to the Modi government's avid nurturing. With a population of just over 25,000, the municipality showcases as much of Modi's will as his obvious gratitude to the people amid whom he was raised.The past years have witnessed a magical transformation: Pothole-free streets paved with concrete, solar-powered lampposts that switch on and off like clockwork, and an 8-km ring road that conveniently links all parts of the town. Vadnagar has a civil hospital that would rival most private hospitals on equipment and cleanliness. Many local lakes have been beautified and turned into lively recreation spots. An air-conditioned hotel run by Gujarat State Tourism offers value-for-money stay. Himalaya International runs a food processing unit worth Rs.175 crore, that includes India's biggest mushroom producing unit, and employs 1,500 men and women, nearly 15 per cent of the city's eligible workers.The Prime Minister's eldest brother, Sombhai, 68, is Modi's only remaining link to Vadnagar since their father died in 1989. A retired government employee, he cares for the old and infirm at a home he runs. His siblings-Amratbhai, 65, retired from a private firm, Vasantiben, 57, married to a businessman, Hasmukhbhai, 55, a Life Insurance Corporation officer, Prahlad, 52, president of Gujarat's Grocery Shop Owners Association, and the youngest, Pankajbhai, an assistant director in the state information department at Gandhinagar-have all moved out. Mother Heeraben lives with Modi in Gandhinagar.

Know about Vadnagar in Gujarat, the birthplace of Narendra Modi

Vadnagar(Gujarat): Cobbled narrow lanes. Old two-storey homes. An ancient temple. A lake in the heart of the town. These are the first impressions of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's home town - the dusty, sleepy

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