# Mahuva, Bhavnagar

Mahuva is a town and taluka of Bhavnagar District, Gujarat, India. Located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, Mahuva has mild weather and surroundings that include many coconut plantations. The town is a part of the Saurashtra region and is known as the Kashmir of Saurashtra. The region is home to a thriving agribusiness industry, particularly enterprises that dehydrate vegetables such as garlic and onions for use in processed foods.

## History

Mowa (Mahuva) was a petty princely state, comprising solely the village, in the Halar prant of Kathiawar. It was ruled by Jhala Rajput Chieftains.
Mowa had a population of 247 in 1901, yielding a state revenue of 3,322 Rupees (1903-4, mostly from land) and a paying a tribute of 158 Rupees, to the British and Junagadh State.

## Geography

Mahuva is a Taluka (subdistrict) located in Bhavnagar District, in the state of Gujarat, as well as the name of a town within the taluka. Mahuva is in the coastal region of Saurashtra on the Gulf of Khambhat, which is a bay on the coast of the Arabian Sea.

## Climate

Climate data for Mahuva (1991–2020) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 38.1 (100.6) | 41.1 (106.0) | 42.8 (109.0) | 45.0 (113.0) | 45.9 (114.6) | 41.2 (106.2) | 39.0 (102.2) | 37.3 (99.1) | 40.0 (104.0) | 42.0 (107.6) | 39.7 (103.5) | 36.6 (97.9) | 45.9 (114.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 29.8 (85.6) | 32.2 (90.0) | 35.1 (95.2) | 36.2 (97.2) | 36.5 (97.7) | 34.3 (93.7) | 31.7 (89.1) | 30.7 (87.3) | 31.8 (89.2) | 34.7 (94.5) | 33.7 (92.7) | 30.9 (87.6) | 33.1 (91.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 12.7 (54.9) | 15.0 (59.0) | 18.5 (65.3) | 22.3 (72.1) | 25.1 (77.2) | 26.9 (80.4) | 25.6 (78.1) | 24.7 (76.5) | 23.9 (75.0) | 22.1 (71.8) | 17.8 (64.0) | 14.5 (58.1) | 20.8 (69.4) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 5.9 (42.6) | 4.9 (40.8) | 10.9 (51.6) | 13.4 (56.1) | 14.7 (58.5) | 16.6 (61.9) | 18.4 (65.1) | 18.3 (64.9) | 16.4 (61.5) | 12.8 (55.0) | 12.7 (54.9) | 5.0 (41.0) | 4.9 (40.8) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.1 (0.00) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.4 (0.02) | 0.0 (0.0) | 123.3 (4.85) | 234.5 (9.23) | 192.5 (7.58) | 128.2 (5.05) | 35.7 (1.41) | 2.4 (0.09) | 1.1 (0.04) | 718.4 (28.28) |
| Average rainy days | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 5.3 | 11.9 | 11.7 | 6.4 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 37.2 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) | 40 | 37 | 38 | 48 | 57 | 68 | 78 | 81 | 76 | 59 | 48 | 44 | 57 |
| Source: India Meteorological Department ||||||||||||||

## Demographics

According to the 2011 Census of India, Mahuva subdistrict had a population of 452,011; the town of Mahuva had a population of approximately 150,000, composed of about 90,000 males and 60,000 females. There were a total of 27,607 households. Most residents of Mahuva are Hindus and Muslims; a smaller number are Jains and Christians.

## Economy

The local economy of Mahuva is primarily based on the agricultural produce market and industries. The Mahuva Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) was established in 1858.
Mahuva and its surrounding villages produce onions. The Mahuva market yard is the second largest onion trading centre in India after Lasalgaon, Maharashtra. It is spread across 38–40 acres of land. The region is the largest producer of white onions and the second-largest producer of red onions in the country. Onion is the largest trading commodity in Mahuva APMC. Mahuva is a large hub for onion processing and exporting, with over 120 large-scale dehydration plants.
Peanuts, cotton and coconuts are also major trading commodities, and cotton ginning is conducted in the region.
Pipavav Port is a fast-growing seaport located nearby, and India's first private sector port situated in Rajula. Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited, one of India's largest shipbuilding and heavy industry companies, operates out of the port.
There are many diamond cutting and polishing centres with ties to overseas markets. Some are working for diamantaires in Surat.

## Healthcare

Mahuva has two hospitals: Sadbhavana Hospital on the outskirts of Mahuva near Vadali, and Hanumant Trust Hospital on the bypass road, which was developed as a multi-specialty hospital.

## Transport

The nearest airport is Bhavnagar Airport at Bhavnagar, about 100 km away from Mahuva.
The RORO ferry began operating in 2017 and connects the ports of Ghogha and Dahej in Gujarat.

## Attractions

The location where Bhagatji Maharaj was born and resided throughout his life has been preserved.
The Mahuva Jain Tirth, known as Madhumati in ancient scriptures, is the birthplace of Sheth Javad Shah and Sheth Jadadu Shah. This shrine to Sri Mahavir is included in the Panch Tirthi of Sri Shatrunjay shrines.
Bhavani beach is a picnic spot located south-east of Mahuva.

## Notable figures

* Virchand Gandhi, Jain scholar
* Bhagatji Maharaj, preacher
* Chhabildas Mehta, politician
* Harkisan Mehta: Gujarati author
* Himesh Reshammiya: actor, singer