{{Use Indian English|date=January 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |name = Giraudpuri |other_name = Giraudhpuri, Giroudhpuri, Giroudpuri, Girodhpuri, Girod, Girodpuri |settlement_type = village |image_skyline = Baloda-bazar.jpg |image_caption = Guru Ghasidas Jaitkham |pushpin_map = India Chhattisgarh#India |pushpin_map_caption = Location in Chhattisgarh, India |coordinates = {{coord|21.6116|82.5587|type:village|display=inline,title}} |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = India |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = Chhattisgarh |subdivision_type2 = District |subdivision_name2 = Baloda Bazar |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = |government_footnotes = |government_type = |governing_body = |unit_pref = Metric |area_footnotes = |area_note = |area_total_km2 = |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_m = |population_footnotes = |population_as_of = |population_total = |population_density_km2 = auto |population_note = |timezone1 = IST |utc_offset1 = +5:30 |utc_offset1_DST = |postal_code_type = PIN |postal_code = 493344 |registration_plate = CG- |area_code_type = |area_code = |area_codes = <!-- for multiple area codes --> }}
'''Giraudpuri''' is a village in the Baloda Bazar district of Chhattisgarh, India. Located beside the Jonk River, it is the birthplace of the Satnami sect's founder Guru Ghasidas, and a pilgrimage centre for the Satnamis.<ref name="ET_2017"/>
== History ==
The village is notable as the birth place of Guru Ghasidas, the founder of the ''Satnam'' ''panth'' (religious sect).<ref name="Census_2011">{{cite web |title=District Census Handbook: Raipur |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/330/download/970/DH_2011_2211_PART_A_DCHB_RAIPUR.pdf |publisher=Directorate of Census Operations |date=2011 |access-date=2022-08-18 }}</ref> It is a major place of pilgrimage (''dham'') for the Satnamis.<ref name="ET_2017">{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/shah-to-visit-satnami-community-site-in-chhattisgarh/articleshow/59038442.cms |title=Shah to visit Satnami community site in Chhattisgarh |date=2017-06-07 |access-date=2022-08-18 |publisher=Economic Times }}</ref> His son Balakdas purchased land in Girodhpuri to strengthen the Satnami sect.<ref>{{cite book |author=R.K. Kshirsagar |title=Dalit Movement in India and Its Leaders, 1857-1956 |publisher=MD |location=New Delhi |isbn=9788185880433 |year=1994 |page=223 }}</ref> A ''jayanti'' ''mela'' (birth anniversary fair) held in honour of Ghasidas was first held in Giraudpuri in 1932.<ref name="JP_2020">{{cite book |author=Jonathan Parry |title=Classes of Labour |year=2020 |publisher=Social Science Press |isbn=9781351362849 |page=340 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HOgrDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT340 }}</ref>
The village was originally known as "Girod". By the time Chhattisgarh became a state in 2000, the Satnamis had become a politically important voting group. The state government renamed the village to "Girodpuri" ("Girod town"), and started developing the area as a tourist centre to generate income, and to gain the political support of the Satnamis. The government built a temple, surrounded by other infrastructure such as hostels, parking areas, and space for the makeshift shops and stalls to be set up during the annual ''mela''. The government also developed roads leading to the area, and advertised the site as an important pilgrimage centre of the state. As a result of these efforts, the attendance at the ''mela'' increased from around 20,000 in 2001 to over 500,000 in 2008.<ref>{{cite book |author=P. Pratap Kumar |title=Contemporary Hinduism |year=2014 |isbn=9781317546351 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o2d_BAAAQBAJ&pg=PT244 |pages=168–171}}</ref>
In 2022, the INC-led Chhattisgarh government announced that the village will be renamed to "Baba Guru Ghasidas Dham Giroudpuri".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/chhattisgarh-government-to-rename-three-villages-of-spiritual-historical-significance-news-213480 |title=Chhattisgarh Government To Rename Three Villages Of Spiritual, Historical Significance |date=2022-08-01 |access-date=2022-08-18 |publisher=Outlook }}</ref>
== Tourism ==
The main landmark of the village is ''Guru Ghasidas Jaitkham'', a 77 metre high tower used as a pilgrimage centre by the Satnamis.<ref name="UNI_2015"/> A ''jaitkham'' ("victory pillar") is a Satnami object of worship, and a symbol of their distinct sectarian identity.<ref name="JP_2020"/> It is also known as ''Jaithkham'', ''Jaitkhambh'', ''Jait Khamba'', ''Jait Khamb'', or ''Jai Stambh''. The Jaitkham at Giraudpuri was commissioned by the BJP-led Chhattisgarh government, and constructed by a Kolkata-based firm as an earthquake-resistant structure. The project was scheduled to be completed in 2007 at a cost of {{INR}} 17 crores,<ref name="WI_2010">{{cite news |url=https://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20100326/1472747.html |title=India's tallest brick tower to cost Rs 51 cr |publisher=WebIndia123 |date=2010-03-26 |access-date=2022-08-18 }}</ref> but was completed in 2015 at a cost of {{INR}} 51.43 crores.<ref name="UNI_2015"/> In 2010, while questioning the government on the delay and the cost overruns, the opposition INC leaders alleged that the tower was originally planned to be 122 m high, but the BJP government denied this.<ref name="WI_2010"/> When Chief Minister Raman Singh inaugurated the tower on 18 December 2015, it was said to be the tallest concrete structure in India.<ref name="UNI_2015">{{cite news |url=http://www.uniindia.com/cm-dedicates-country-s-highest-concrete-tower-in-chhattisgarh/states/news/312501.html |title=CM dedicates country's highest concrete tower in Chhattisgarh |date=2015-12-18 |access-date=2022-08-18 |publisher=United News of India }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/rahul-gandhi-to-visit-giroudhpuri-in-chhattisgarh-tomorrow/articleshow/51381376.cms |title=Rahul Gandhi to visit Giroudhpuri in Chhattisgarh tomorrow |date=2016-03-13 |access-date=2022-08-18 |newspaper=Economic Times }}</ref> Visitors can climb the tower up to 65m taking the spiral stairs or elevators. At its centre, the structure has a conference hall with a capacity to hold 2000 people.<ref name="UNI_2015"/>
Charan Kund, sacred pond, is another pilgrimage site in the village. Amrit Kund, a pond whose water is said to be sweet, is located a kilometre from the village. The annual Giraudpuri Mela (fair), also known as the "Guru Darshan Mela", is held at the village.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://balodabazar.gov.in/tourist-place/giraudpuri-dham/ |title=Giraudpuri Dham |publisher=Balodabazar District Administration |access-date=2022-08-18 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2022/state-editions/guru-darshan-mela-to-begin-on-march-7.html |title=Guru Darshan Mela to begin on March 7 |date=2022-02-28 |access-date=2022-08-18 |newspaper=The Pioneer }}</ref>
== References == {{commons category}} {{reflist}}
Category:Villages in Baloda Bazar district Category:Satnami