{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Kolayat | native_name = | native_name_lang = | other_name = | nickname = | settlement_type = Town | image_skyline = | image_alt = | image_caption = | coordinates = {{coord|27.8333|N|72.9500|E|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|India}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Rajasthan | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Bikaner | established_title = <!-- Established --> | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | government_type = | governing_body = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_rank = | area_total_km2 = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 217 | population_total = 7346 | population_as_of = 2001 | population_rank = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_footnotes = | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 = Hindi | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = <!-- PIN --> | postal_code = | registration_plate = | website = | footnotes = | mapframe = yes }}
'''Kolayat''' is a town in the Bikaner district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is also the headquarters of the eponymous tehsil.<ref>[http://bikaner.nic.in/admn_setup.htm Bikaner Administrative Setup] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409231708/http://bikaner.nic.in/admn_setup.htm |date=9 April 2009 }}</ref> The town is {{convert|51|km}} from Bikaner on National Highway 15 to Jaisalmer.
==History== Kolayat is an historical centre of pilgrimage where Kapila, a Vedic sage in Hindu tradition, is believed by some to have shed his body under a Peepul tree. Kolayat has a number of marble temples, sandstone pavilions and 52 ghats (bathing places) built around a large artificial lake.
A temple dedicated to Kapila hosts an annual fair in the month of Kartik (October - November). During full moon of this month thousands of devotees of the Sankhya philosophy gather to take a dip in Kapil Sarovar. Devotees believe the dip in the lake washes away their sins. A livestock fair, mainly for the trading of camels is part of the festivities.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://bikaner.nic.in/matter_koln.htm |title=Kolayat temple |access-date=23 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923130151/http://bikaner.nic.in/matter_koln.htm |archive-date=23 September 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) had an office at Kolayat, functioning until 1997.{{fact|date=June 2018}} It was wound up after the end of mineral exploration activities in the surrounding areas.
==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> Kolayat had a population of 7,346, of which 3,963 were male and 3,383 female.<ref>[http://ourvillageindia.org/Place.aspx?PID=440728 Kolayat Population]</ref>
== Attractions == '''Water Gateways'''<br> Kolayat Lake<br>
'''Historical places'''<br> KapilMuni Vatika
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.bharatonline.com/rajasthan/fairs/kapil-muni.html Kapil Muni Fair] {{Bikaner district}}
Category:Bikaner district Category:Cities and towns in Bikaner district