Gandai-Pandaria

{{About||University in Japan|Iwate University}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Gandai-Pandaria | native_name = | native_name_lang = | other_name = | nickname = | settlement_type = Village town | image_skyline = | image_alt = | image_caption = | pushpin_map = India Chhattisgarh#India | pushpin_label_position = right | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Chhattisgarh, India | coordinates = {{coord|21.67|N|81.1|E|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|India}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Chhattisgarh | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai- | established_title =  | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | government_type = | governing_body = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_rank = | area_total_km2 = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 328 | population_total = 11862 | population_as_of = 2018 | population_rank = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_footnotes = | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 = Hindi, Chhattisgarhi | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type =  | postal_code = | registration_plate = CG | website = | footnotes = }}

thumb|left|12th or 13th-century Gandai Shiv Mandir with Nandi in front, Chhattisgarh - 2 '''Gandai-Pandaria''' is a village town and a nagar panchayat in Chhuikhadan Block In the Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district in the state of Chhattisgarh, India. It is located about 80 kilometers northwest of Raipur, the state capital. Gandai is one of the centers of Gond people in contemporary times, particularly the kandra tribe.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Markam | first=Chandni | last2=Gajpal | first2=L. S. | title=A Brief Introduction of Kandra Tribe in the Urban Environment (With Special Reference to Raipur the Capital of Chhattisgarh) | journal=Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences | volume=10 | issue=4 | year=2019 | issn=0975-6795 | doi=10.5958/2321-5828.2019.00185.2 | pages=1125-1127| doi-access=free }}</ref>

Prior to the 15th-century, Gandai-pandaria was a significant center of Buddhism and Shaivism.<ref name="Misra2003">{{cite book|author=Om Prakash Misra|title=Archaeological Excavations in Central India: Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o0ISjDDWJwQC |year=2003|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=978-81-7099-874-7|pages=26-27}}</ref> It is an important archaeological site of historic 9th to 14th-century Shiva and Buddhist temples, most of which were destroyed after the 14th-century. Excavations of mounds after 1965 and the accidental discoveries of ruins by farmers have revealed a number of sites. One major Shiva temple's sanctum and spire in Gandai has survived. It is called the Deour Shiv Mandir, a temple restored and managed by Archaeological Society of India, Raipur circle.

==Geography== Gandai is at {{Coord|21.665|N|81.1|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/37/Gandai.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Gandai]</ref> It has an average elevation of 328 metres (1076 feet).

==Demographics== {{As of|2001}} India census,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archivedate=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|accessdate=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Gandai had a population of 11,862. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Gandai has an average literacy rate of 58%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 69%, and female literacy is 47%. In Gandai, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.

==Gallery== <gallery> File:Ghatiyari Gandai temple and ruins, Chhattisgarh - 26.jpg|An excavated statue File:Ghatiyari Gandai temple and ruins, Chhattisgarh - 35.jpg|Ganesha ruin File:Ghatiyari Gandai temple and ruins, Chhattisgarh - 33.jpg|A Jain (likely) or Buddhist icon found near Ghatiyari village File:Ghatiyari Gandai temple and ruins, Chhattisgarh - 44.jpg|An excavated temple west of Gandai town, likely built between 10th to 12th-century </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Cities and towns in Rajnandgaon district Category:Villages in Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district