Ghumli

Sonkansari temple

Ruined temples at Sonkansari pond, Ghumli, 1874

Ghumli is a village located 35 km from Porbandar, at foothills of Barda, in Jamnagar district of Gujarat, India.

History

Ghumli also called Bhumli, was once the ancient capital of Jethwa dynasty of Gujarat. The town was established in 7th Century AD by Jethwa Sal Kumar.^[1]

Ghumli was declared as second Capital by Jethwa dynasty, in 1220 by Rana Shiyaji, who took the title of Rana Of Ghumli and shifted capital from Shrinagar^[2]

Ghumli remained their Capital till 1313, when Rana Bhanji Jethwa, was defeated at a war, he fled Ghumli & shifted to Ranpur. It is said that Ghumli was destroyed due to curse of a Sati named Son with whom Rana Bhanji Jethwa fell in love.^[3]

Jadeja Jam Unaji came from Sindh and attacked Ghumli in 1309 but was defeated later in 1313 his son Barmaniyaji Jadeja attacked and defeated Rana Bhanji Jethwa. On the same night Goddess Ambaji came in his dream and told him that, as she has granted the wish ("Asha") of his father to conquer Ghumli, he should make a temple in her name. So Bamaniyaji built the Temple of Ambaji on the hill in the middle of Ghumli and named it as Ashapura Mata Temple. He completely destroyed Ghumli and turned it into ruins.^[4][5]

Present day

At present, Ghumli is an important archeological site of Gujarat: The point of interest are - Navlakha temple; Ghumli Ganesh temple; Ashapura temple; Vindyavasini temple; Sonkansari or Son Kasari temple; step-wells [Vikai or Vikia Vav and Jetha vav]; historical gates. Kileshwar Mahdev temple, built by Jethwa rulers is nearby. Government of Gujarat and Archaeological of Survey of India have taken a project to restore this place of historical importance. Coordinates: 21°53′06″N 69°45′47″E / 21.885°N 69.763°E / 21.885; 69.763

Ghumli houses Navlakha Temple, built by Jethwa rulers in 12th century, considered to be oldest Sun temple of Gujarat, now in ruins. The temple is built in Solanki style of architect with entwining tusk of three elephants as a trade mark of temple. Close by there is step well called "Vikai Vav" the largest in Kathiawar and "Jetha vav". Vikai or Vikia Vaav built by Jethwa ruler Vikiaji after whom it is named, is the oldest and one of the biggest step wells of Gujarat measuring almost 60 by 40.5 sq m. The well has numerous flights of steps leading up to it and string-coursed carvings. The entrance pavilions can still be seen standing intact at three places. A Ganesha temple called Ghumli Ganesh, within ruins of Navlakha Temple is worshiped daily by locals. The site of Ghumli has many ruins from the Solanki period, 12th Century. Around Sonkansari pond, there is a large well with many temples. The larger ones consist of a square shrine with a long mandapa and the smaller ones of a cell and a porch. The mandapas have fallen.

Bhan Gate named after Bhan Jethwa near Ghumali Navlakha Temple and Rampol Gate at Ghumali are of historical interest.

Ashapura Mata temple is little far from Navlakha temple on a small hill summit.

Temple of Son Kasari is associated with story of "sati", built after Ghumli was destroyed due to the curse.

Vindyavasini temple is also on the same hill.

See also

• Navlakha_Temple,_Ghumli

References