Ajay Kumar at 16:59, 28 August 2023

2023-08-28T16:59:09Z

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{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Bicholim
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline = Arvalem Caves.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Arvalem Caves
| pushpin_map = India Goa#India3
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Goa, India
| coordinates = {{coord|15.60|N|73.95|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|}} [[Goa]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[North Goa district|North Goa]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| leader_title = MLA
| leader_name = [[Chandrakant Shetye]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.goavidhansabha.gov.in/member_detail.php?mem_id=252 | title=Goa Legislative Assembly }}</ref>
| leader_title1 = Councillor
| leader_name1 = Pundalik (Kundan) Falari<ref>{{cite news |title=Gaonkar, Falari in race for Bicholim town's top post |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/gaonkar-falari-in-race-for-bicholim-towns-top-post/articleshow/81750555.cms |access-date=1 April 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=30 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 22
| population_total = 16896
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Konkani language|Konkani]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number]]
| postal_code = 403504
| registration_plate = GA 04
| website = {{URL|goa.gov.in}}
| footnotes =
}}

'''Bicholim''' ([[Konkani language|Konkani]]: ''Dicholi''; <small>[[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]</small>: {{IPA-mr|ɖicoːlĩː|}}), is a small town and a [[municipal council]] in [[North Goa district]] in the state of [[Goa]], [[India]]. It is the headquarters of the ''Concelho'' (county) of Bicholim, one of seven that make up the ''[[Novas Conquistas]]'' (New Conquests), territories added to Goa comparatively later than the first three of the ''[[Velhas Conquistas]]'' (Old Conquests). The town is located about {{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the state capital of [[Panaji]]. It is in the mining heartland of Goa.

==History==
As per ''[[Bhojas of Goa|Hiregutti plates of Bhoja Asantika]]'', a locality named ''Dipaka visaya'' in the copper plates dating 5th century CE, is identified with modern-day ''Divchali'' or Dicholi.<ref>Desai. P. B. "Hiregutti plates of Bhoja Asantika" In EI XXVIII pp 70–77.</ref>
It was under the rule of an independent [[Warlord]] (PrabhuDesai's of Sankhali/Sanquelim) It was taken over by [[Portugal|Portuguese]] in late 18th century as part of New Conquest.

==Geography==
{{mapframe|frame=yes|type=point|zoom=SWITCH:4,6,10|switch=zoomed out, zoomed mid, zoomed in}}
Bicholim is located at {{Coord|15.60|N|73.95|E|}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/33/Dicholi.html|title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Dicholi, India|website=www.fallingrain.com|access-date=23 January 2021}}</ref> It has an average elevation of 22 metres (72 feet).

==Demographics==
{{As of|2011}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=16 June 2004|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=1 November 2008|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Dicholi had a population of 16,986. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Dicholi has an average literacy rate of 82%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

==Economy==
[[Mining]] constitutes a major chunk in the economy of Bicholim with about 36% of the population working for a single [[iron]] ore mine owner, formerly Souza Mineralia Pvt. Ltd. owned by M.M.P. DeSouza who formed a partnership with the [[Dempo]]s, the Dempo clan took over the mines underhandedly and it is now taken over by [[Sesa Goa]] which has been merged into [[Vedanta Resources]] of [[Anil Agarwal (businessman)|Anil Agarwal]].

Wednesday is the [[Market (place)|market]] day where people in and around Bicholim gather in the main market region for trading small goods/commodities.

==Government and politics==
Bicholim is part of [[Bicholim (Goa Assembly constituency)]] and [[North Goa (Lok Sabha constituency)]].

==Socio-political==
Bicholim has three primary [[schools]], four secondary schools, a [[Institute of technology|polytechnic]] institute, a number of [[hospitals]], [[temples]], [[church (building)|churches]] and [[mosques]], and a protected site, pandava caves.

Some of the prominent temples are the Shanta Durga temple and the Mahadeva Temple. The Shanta Durga temple is close to the banks of the river, which is a tributary of river Mandovi.

The church of Our Lady of Grace dominates the [[town square]]. The high school run from the precincts of the church complex is one of the prominent schools of Bicholim.

A historic [[monument]] [[Nimuz]] ghar (possibly Namaz Ghar) stands on the hilltop prominently overlooking the town of Bicholim. The monument was built to commemorate the victory of the combined [[Muslim]] and [[Hindu]] forces over the Portuguese.

Another prominent landmark of the town is the Tribunal started by the Portuguese to deal with civil and criminal cases after the Nova Conquista.

As in other communities of Goa, Ganesh Chaturthi or Chawath is a celebrated with its own unique touch in Bicholim. A folk dance called "Ghode Modni" which has a cavalry theme is a specialty of Bicholim.

==Mayem Lake==
Bicholim has an idyllic [[landscape]] dotted with serene [[lake]]s and majestic [[waterfall]]s. The tranquil Mayem Lake is a major [[tourism]] destination in Bicholim. Located amidst rolling [[hills]] and surrounded by a countryside, the lake is one of the most pristine [[nature]] spots in Goa. The Goa Tourism Development Department has developed a [[boating]] area and a resort here.

==Bicholim Industrial Estate==
Set up by the Goa Industrial Development Department, the Bicholim Industrial Estate located on the banks of Mandovi tributary is home to more than 50 industrial [[workshops]] and manufacturing units specializing in a range of products and services such as Pottery, [[aluminium]] and [[steel]] fabrication, [[plastics]], [[mining]] equipment, [[rolling mill]]s, [[bus]] body, etc.

==Cudnem Village==
'''Cudnem''' or ''Kudene'' is a large village situated on the left bank of the Cudnem River. It is located in Bicholim of North Goa district, Goa with total 763 families residing. The Cudnem village had a population of 3,308 of which 1,714 are males while 1,594 are females according to [[2011 Indian census]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Cudnem population – North Goa, Goa|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/data/village/626757-cudnem-goa.html|access-date=24 March 2021}}</ref>

==Jainism==
There are remains of Ancient Jain temples in Gujirwada in Cudnem village. Broken idols of [[Tirthankara]] were discovered during an excavation in 1986 by the directorate of archeology and archives. The Jain temple of Cudnem was constructed in the 10th century and was in ruins in the 15th century.{{sfn|Kerkar|TNN|2014}}

The idols of [[Tirthankara]] were also found in Chandreshwar temple in Kothambi village, situated on the right bank of the River Mandovi.{{sfn|Kerkar|TNN|2014}}

Naroa is situated on the left bank of the River Mandovi.

Broken sculptures of the Jain [[Tirthankara]] [[Suparshvanatha]], belonging to the period of the Goan [[Kadamba dynasty|Kadamba]] ruler Shivachitta Permadi Dev, were discovered in an old Jain temple in Jainkot, Naroa.{{sfn|Kerkar|TNN|2014}}

The sculpture of [[Parshvanatha]], the 23rd [[Tirthankara]] was discovered in Hindolewada, Naroa.{{sfn|Kerkar|TNN|2014}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*{{citation|last1=Kerkar|first1=Rajendra|last2=TNN|title=Jain heritage dwindles as govt sits pretty|url=http://timesofindia.com/city/goa/Jain-heritage-dwindles-as-govt-sits-pretty/articleshow/44987827.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=31 October 2014}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Bicholim}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in North Goa district]]

Bicholim - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 16:59, 28 August 2023