Bharuch, Gujarat

Bharuch mandir
Originally uploaded by vish_r.

This small village in southern Gujarat was known as Bhrigu Kaksha in olden days. It was the domain of Bhrigu, an ancient sage. It was here, on the banks of river Narmada, that the celebrated Asura King Mahabali conducted a great sacrifice. In this sacrifice, came a Brahmin boy named Vamana, who interfered with the King's sacrifice and put an end to his reign. A sage named Guru Shukracharya, in the lineage of Bhrigu, was the priest of King Mahabali.

Water is scarce in Gujarat but never in Bharuch because of its location on the Narmada River. Bharuch has always been prosperous because of agriculture and other linked commercial activities.