RAJKOT

1. Rajkot is the fourth largest city in the state of Gujarat, India, after Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara. Rajkot is the 35th-largest urban agglomeration in India, with a population more than 1.2 million as of 2015.
3. Area: 65.64 mi²
4. Weather: 84°F (29°C), Wind SW at 7 mph (11 km/h), 73% Humidity
5. Hotels: 3-star averaging $40, 5-star averaging $60. View hotels
6. Population: 967,476 (2001) UNdata
7. Local time: Sunday 7:31 PM
8. Number of airports: 1

Rajkot has been under different rulers since it was founded. Rajkot has a long history and had a significant part in the Indian independence movement. Rajkot was home for many personalities like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Rajkot is in a transition period of growing cultural, industrial and economical activities. Rajkot is the 26th largest city of India and the 22nd fastest growing urban area of the world.

Rajkot was the capital of the then Saurashtra state from 15 April 1948 to 31 October 1956 before merging in bilingual Bombay State on 1 November 1956. Rajkot was merged into Gujarat State from bilingual Bombay state on 1 May 1960. Thakur Saheb Pradyumansinh ji died in 1973. His son, Manoharsinh ji Pradyumansinh ji, who has carved out a political career at the provincial level, succeeded him. He served as a Member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly for several years and as the state Minister for Health and Finance. Monoharsinh ji's son, Mandattasinh Jadeja has embarked on a business career.

On 26 January 2001 a devastating earthquake centred near Bhuj, measuring 6.9 on the richter scale, struck the city.

The people in Rajkot are predominantly vegetarians and are vehemently against any form of hunting. The women in Rajkot are very fond of jewellery. Large chains, pendants and other heavy gold jewellery are a common sight during marriages, festivals and family functions. The attire changes with the season and approaching festivals. The ladies normally wear the Gujarati flavour of the Sari and men can be seen in flowing Kurtas and in the formal wears (shirts and trousers).

Rajkot is multicultural. One can find many languages, like Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam and Marathi. However, only Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, and English are well understood. Rajkot is the part of Kathiyawad. Because of this people of Rajkot are also known as Kathiyawadi.

Rajkot is frequently referred to as "Rangilu Rajkot" (રંગીલુ રાજકોટ) meaning colourful Rajkot. .. Shopkeepers mostly close their business between 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm.

Garba, a dance form, is popular both with men and women and is performed during the Navratri festival. The dance starts before midnight and continues until dawn. Mata Ambe, who rides a Lion, has a special reverential status with any highly religious Gujarati. The 'Janmastami Mela' organises by for five days at the Race Course grounds to celebrate Janmastami. Diwali is the New Year for Hindus and people celebrate by doing Ma Laxmi Pujan. Moharam is new year of Muslim. Muslim's also celebrate ramzan Eid and bakri Eid. Rajkot Municipality arranges the Firecracker Show for the citizens of Rajkot. People clean and paint their houses and purchase new clothes to wear on New Year's Day. Dhuleti is the colour festival and Mahashivratri is God Shiva's day. People also celebrate Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) on 14 January by flying kites from their terraces. Other holidays are Ganesh Utsava, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti etc. Since Rajkot has people from many different castes and races, their various celebrations occur throughout the year.