Becharaji 5.12

Becharaji or Bahucharaji is a temple town and taluka capital in Mehsana district of Gujarat state, India. The town is associated with Hindu goddess Bahuchara Mata worshipped as Bala. It is one of the three Shakti Peethas worshipped in Gujarat, the other being Ambaji and Pavagadh.HistoryThe town's name is derived from Bahuchar Mata or Bahucharaji Mata, a popular deity or 'Devi' of Hindus. Earlier this town was a small village. Although, it is still a Gram Panchayat. Its development is mainly due to temple of Bahuchara Mata. Another reason for its development is the fact it was declared as Taluka Place or Taluka Panchayat and centre for shopping for peripheral villages. For the development of temple of Bahuchar Mata, Sayajirao Gaekwad extended the Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway (GBSR) that was under the control of his state up to Becharaji.DemographyThis taluka comprises population of around 1 lakh. A majority of the population follows Hindu religion, although there are some villages with Muslim population. Among Hindus, the main communities are Patel, Brahmins, Jain, Charan, Rabari, Bharwad, Thakore, Khant, etc.