History
Godpar is a village in the State of Gujarat, Western India.
Shree Godpar village is located in district Kutch Bhuj to the west of Bhuj - Mandvi highway 20 kilometres from Bhuj Town. Farms and forest surround the village to the extent of 3 - 4 kilometres. Therein are small check dams and a medium size irrigation dam called Jamora, from which farmers receive irrigation water via channels to grow crops during winter and irregular rain periods. To the north east of Godpar is forest area belonging to Meghpar, Godpar's immediate neighbouring village. Godpar is 1 kilometre off the Bhuj - Mandvi highway.
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Of the total population of the village 50% are Patels (Kanbis). Harijans are 20% and the remaining 30% is made up of various other tribes in which potters, rabbaris (goat and sheep herdsmen) and Muslims are the most. Lot of the Kanbis have emigrated to African countries such as Kenya, Uganda; European countries such as Great Britain and Arabic states such as Oman, Salalah and Dubai. Although people from different tribes reside in the village intertribal disputes are minimal. All the people help each other during village improvement works. The village is devoid of the inter tribal disputes which have dire effect on the nation of India.
The village has a primary and a nursery school established by the Kutch Leva Patel Community. The community has also introduced piped water supply, play ground and recreation areas as well as street lighting for dark periods. National and other events are celebrated in the primary school. Competitive sports are played and social and cultural programmes such as raas-garba, dramas etc. are organised in which the children take part. Village elders and benefactors attend these functions. All the children taking part in the different events are awarded gifts and prizes donated by expatriates and village benefactors to encourage the children. Village elders organise visits to the school to encourage the extracurricular activities in the school. Tree planting, science exhibitions, school outings etc. are also organised. The village council has presented a television set to the school, through which the pupils improve their knowledge and understanding of various subjects transmitted by media.
View of Godpar from a
mountain
If we observe the town planning of the village it looks like that the village was settled in a long time ago. The old roads are narrow with many bends, but the construction of modern type houses in new areas makes it possible to lay the new wider roads at rectangle to each other. 3 arched entrances constructed in the village from funds donated by benefactors are very impressive. One of these is located at the entrance to the Hindu crematorium; the second being at the entrance to the village by the primary school; the third and the newest one is located by the highway. There is a small lake in the heart of the village, which is very beneficial to the local community. Before the piped water supply it was the main source of water for the majority of the population. Trees are planted on the banks of this lake, which further improve the scenery of the village.
3 arched entrance
The village has separate temples for males and females of the Swaminarayan sect. The villagers celebrate religious festivals such as Tulsi Vivah, Holi, Diwali, and Thakarthali etc. These celebrations awaken the lethargic energies of the youth. Also they become inquisitive about social and philosophical issues. The village has youth and infants clubs. There is also a music band. The youths who participate in the band play the instruments very well. There are temples dedicated to Shiva, Hanumanji and Yaksh in the village also. Thakarthali programmes are organised in the Shiva temple from time to time and samaiyo procession takes place at the Yaksh temple on the festival days when raas-dandias are organised there. The compound near the Yaksh temple was proving to be too small for the dances so volunteers levelled the adjacent riverbank to enlarge the temple compound.
Deda
Vadi Tree
The main occupation of the villagers is farming but because of the shortage of arable land people of the village go to other near by villages to earn their living. Lot of the people go to foreign lands as well.
The elders and the youth of Godpar are forever keen to improve the village.