Ānand, India
Region: Gujarat
Geographic Coordinates: 22.556000, 72.951000
Temperature Range: 15.0°C to 40.0°C (59°F to 104°F)
Climate: Hot summers and mild winters with monsoon season from June to September.
Population: 218486
Language: Hindi
Anand, Located in the western state of Gujarat in India, Is a city known for being the birthplace of the cooperative movement in India. The city sits on the banks of river Vatrak and covers an area of approximately 64 square kilometers. Anand is renowned for its milk production and dairy industry, Making it one of Gujarat’s most prosperous cities. Dr. Verghese Kurien established Amul Dairy Cooperative in Anand, Revolutionizing the dairy industry with his innovative ideas and leadership skills. Today, Amul is a household name globally.
The cooperative model adopted by Amul has been replicated across various sectors to empower farmers and rural communities. Aside from its dairy industry, Anand also boasts several tourist attractions such as Sardar Patel Memorial Museum dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – one of India’s founding fathers – who was born near Anand. The museum showcases his life through photographs, Documents, And other memorabilia. Another popular attraction is Swami Narayan Mandir – a Hindu temple built-in 2003 with intricate carvings on white marble that took more than two years to complete by skilled artisans from Rajasthan.
For nature enthusiasts visiting Anand, Hathisingh Jain Temple Wildlife Sanctuary offers a chance to witness diverse flora and fauna including leopards, Sloth bears, Hyenas among others amidst lush greenery. Foodies can indulge their taste buds with Gujarati cuisine which includes dishes like dhokla (steamed rice cakes), Khandvi (gram flour rolls), Fafda (crispy gram flour snack) among others at local eateries around town.
In terms of connectivity within Gujarat state or even outside it via rail or roadways- Anand Junction Railway Station connects the city to major cities like Ahmedabad, Mumbai Delhi and Kolkata while Vadodara Airport located approximately 45 kilometers away serves as the nearest airport for air travel purposes. Anand is a city that has contributed significantly to India’s growth story through its dairy industry and cooperative movement. It offers a unique blend of history, Culture, And natural beauty that can be explored by tourists visiting Gujarat.
From its museums to temples and wildlife sanctuaries – there’s something for everyone in Anand!
Important Landmarks
- Amul Dairy
- Sardar Patel Museum
- Swaminarayan Temple
- ISKCON Temple
- Ranchhodrai Dakor Temple
- Shree Santram Samadhi Sthanam
- Khanderao Market
- Shri Yamunaji Mandir
- Vadtal Swaminarayan temple
- Vidya Dairy
Primary Industries
- Dairy industry: Ānand is known as the milk capital of India, with the Amul dairy cooperative being headquartered here.
- Agriculture: The region around Ānand is rich in agriculture, with crops such as cotton, tobacco, peanuts, and vegetables being grown.
- Textile industry: There are several textile mills in Ānand that produce fabrics such as cotton and silk.
- Chemical industry: There are a number of chemical factories located in Ānand that produce fertilizers and other chemicals.
- Engineering industry: Several engineering companies have set up their operations in Ānand to cater to the needs of the dairy and agricultural industries.
- Education sector: With several reputed educational institutions located here like Sardar Patel University, Anand Agricultural University etc., education sector has become one of the major industries here.
- Tourism : Being a part of Gujarat state which is famous for its tourism , Anand also attracts tourists for its historical places like Swaminarayan Temple,Vadtal & Baps Shri Swaminarayan Mandir etc., thereby contributing significantly to local economy.
Noteable History
- The establishment of the Amul dairy cooperative in 1946 revolutionized the dairy industry in India, making Ānand a hub for milk production.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of the founding fathers of modern India and a crucial figure in Indian independence movement, was born in Ānand.
- The Swaminarayan Temple is one of the largest temples dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan and attracts thousands of devotees annually.
- Dr. Kurien Verghese, also known as the father of white revolution, played an instrumental role in establishing Amul cooperative and transforming Ānand into a major milk-producing region.
- Anand Agricultural University (AAU), established in 2004, has contributed significantly to agricultural research and education.
- Mahatma Gandhi visited Ānand during his Salt Satyagraha movement against British colonial rule in 1930.
- The establishment of Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Limited (KDCMPUL), which later became Amul Dairy Cooperative Society, marked a significant milestone for rural development and empowerment through cooperatives.
- Dr. Verghese Kurien’s efforts to establish National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) brought about significant changes to rural development policy by promoting cooperatives as an effective model for economic growth and poverty reduction.
- The annual Rath Yatra at Jagannath Temple attracts thousands from all over Gujarat every year.
- Other notable people from Anand include Arvind Parikh- sitar player; Dhirubhai Patel- politician; Jayantilal Nayak – poet; Jitendra Shah – cricketer; Leena Yadav – filmmaker etc
Museums and Things To See
- Swaminarayan Mandir is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan.
- Amul Dairy Museum showcases the history and development of the Amul dairy cooperative.
- Sardar Patel Memorial is a memorial dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of India’s founding fathers.
- ISKCON Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, with beautiful architecture and a peaceful atmosphere.
- Shri Ranchhodraiji Maharaj Mandir is another gorgeous temple in Anand that is worth visiting.
- Kheda Museum showcases the history and culture of Kheda district, where Anand is located.
- Karamsad Medical College Museum showcases the history and development of medical education in India.
- Borsad Talav Lake Garden is a scenic park with a lake, perfect for picnics or relaxing walks.
- Vadtal Swaminarayan Temple is another stunning temple dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan, located just outside Anand in Vadtal village.
- Vallabh Vidyanagar Planetarium & Science Centre offers interactive exhibits on science and astronomy for all ages at an educational center in Anand.
Cultural Events
- Navratri Festival: It is a nine-day long festival celebrated in the month of October, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga.
- Diwali: The festival of lights is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor in Ānand. People light up their homes with diyas and candles, exchange sweets and gifts, and offer prayers to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.
- Holi: The festival of colors is celebrated with joy and excitement in Ānand. People smear each other with colors, dance to the beats of dholak, relish traditional sweets like gujiya and thandai.
- Janmashtami: It is a Hindu festival that marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. People fast throughout the day, sing devotional songs, perform puja at midnight when Lord Krishna was born.
- Rath Yatra: This annual chariot procession takes place during June-July every year in honor of Lord Jagannath’s journey from his temple to his aunt’s house.
- Uttarayan (Kite Festival): This colorful festival takes place on 14th January every year where people fly kites all day long amidst music, food stalls & competitions for best kite flyers.
- Ganesh Chaturthi: This ten-day-long Hindu festival celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha who is worshipped as the god of wisdom & prosperity by offering sweets & modaks followed by immersion ceremony on 10th day called Visarjan.
- Navratri Garba Mahotsav : A cultural event that features traditional Gujarati folk dance called Garba which involves circular movements accompanied by music played on dholak & other instruments during Navratri Festival.
- Dandiya Raas : Another traditional Gujarati folk dance performed using sticks called Dandiya which involves pairs dancing together during Navratri Festival.
Cuisine
- Khakhra House is a well-known restaurant in Ānand that specializes in serving traditional Gujarati snacks like khakhra, thepla, and dhokla.
- Bansi Vihar Restaurant is a vegetarian restaurant that’s famous for its thali meals and delicious sweets.
- Purohit Sweets & Farsan Mart is a renowned sweet shop in Ānand that’s known for its mouth-watering sweets and farsan (snacks).
- Gwalia Sweets is another popular sweet shop that serves a wide range of desserts including ras malai, gulab jamun, laddoo, and more.
- Shreeji Dairy has made a name for itself by offering milk-based products like buttermilk, lassi, ice cream, and ghee.
- The Grand Thakar Hotel is an upscale hotel that serves authentic Gujarati cuisine with a modern twist.
- Vishalla Restaurant & Handicrafts Village provides diners with an outdoor dining experience where they can enjoy traditional Gujarati food served on banana leaves.
- Swad Restaurant & Banquet Hall offers delicious vegetarian food along with spacious banquet halls perfect for weddings or other events.
- Deepak Fast Food Centre is one of the most popular fast-food joints in Ānand where you can indulge in chaat items like pani puri, sev puri, bhel puri as well as sandwiches and burgers.
- Raju Omelette Centre has gained popularity among locals due to their egg dishes such as omelets stuffed with cheese or vegetables along with parathas or bread toast on the side.
- Sardar Patel Park
- Amul Dairy Park
- Swaminarayan Mandir Garden
- Shastri Maidan
- Karamsad Gokul Dham
- Vidya Dairy Children’s Park
- Anand Town Hall Ground
- Vithal Udyognagar Garden
- Vallabh Vidyanagar Lake and Garden
- Mogri Lake and Garden
- Boating at Vallabh Vidyanagar Lake and Mogri Lake.
- Cycling around the city.
- Playing cricket, football, and other sports at various grounds.
- Visiting nearby tourist attractions like Dakor Temple, Lothal Archaeological Site, etc.
- Shopping at local markets like Anand Market Yard or Manek Chowk Market.
- Enjoying local street food like dhokla, khandvi, fafda-jalebi etc., available in the city’s numerous food stalls and restaurants.
- Watching movies at theaters such as INOX or Cinemax located in nearby cities like Vadodara or Ahmedabad (within 50 km radius).