Renukoot

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Renukoot | type = city | latd = 24.2| longd = 83.03
state_name = Uttar Pradesh
district = Sonbhadra
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 283
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 53,524| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 5446
postal_code = 231217
vehicle_code_range = U.P.64
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Renukoot is a town and a nagar panchayat in Sonbhadra district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

English:Renukoot

Geography

Renukoot is located at coord|24.2|N|83.03|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Renukut.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Renukut] ] . It has an average elevation of 283 metres (931 feet). Renukoot lies in the southmost part of Uttar Pradesh and sits next to Shakti Nagar, Anpara and some other towns in nearby Madhya Pradesh.

Rihand Dam, which is built over Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar Lake and the Rihand River (a tributary of the Son River) is 1.5 kilometers from Renukoot and is also a trekking route for school trips from local schools. The importance of the dam can be gauged from the fact that its picture was on the last version of the Rs. 100 note of the Indian Government.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Renukoot had a population of 1,00,000. Males constitute 57% of the population and females 43%. Renukoot has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 64%. In Renukoot, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

History

The famous Parad Shiviling is located here. Renukoot used to be in Mirzapur district which was later split up into Sonebhadra and Mirzapur. Renukoot falls into the Sonebhadra district now. The area of Vindhyachal near the north-western part of the area are also famous for many religious hills and historic caves and temples. The famous Chunar Fort, dating 50 BC, is on the way to Varanasi from Renukoot, less than 3 hours away.

Climate and Topography

Summers peak in May and June. Rain starts around third week of June. Renukoot is 1,400 feet above sea level, with nearby hills exceeding 2000 feet. This makes the weather in Renukoot much less humid than in the nearby plain cities such as Varanasi and Mirzapur. Renukoot is also surrounded by thick well-preserved forests that keeps the temperatures down- especially after the rain. Temperature tends to fall in the evening after sunset in the summer, making it much more pleasant in May and June as compared to cities such as a Varanasi and Lucknow. Once the rains start in July, the weather becomes much milder than in the plains of U.P, with low humidity, and pleasant temperatures in the evening falling into the low 20s. Day-time summer is very bearable due to guaranteed power-supply from Hindalco to the Hindalco colony, clean roads, lots of shades and trees, and desert coolers that work well in the low humidity environment.

The weather is very pleasant from Desehara to Holi, with the minimum temperatures between mid-December to mid-January dropping close to freezing (rarely dipping below zero degrees celsius). Day time maximum in winter tends to be in the high teens in peak winter and low 20s in November and February. Humidity tends to be very low making the winters very pleasant. The lack of many big cities makes the nearby forests ideal for star-gazing.

In the nearby hills that are up to 2000 feet high, the temperatures can be quite pleasant (no more than mid-twenties) as early as July and stay below that until April. Many of these hills have nice forests on them (one of the few forests in Uttar Pradesh outside of the Himalayas), and numerous massive water-falls and streams (e.g. Lahara, Razdhari, Hathi Nala) and resorts/picnic spots that serve as great get-away places during weekends for the locals.

Economy

Renukoot has the largest fully integrated aluminium plant in Asia.Renukoot lies in one of the most important industrial belts of India, which consists of the cement, aluminium, and chemical industries, as well as hydropower and thermal power projects. To name a few there exists Hindalco, India's largest aluminium company, and in the same belt about 40 km away is India's largest NTPC plant. Another major factory within the suburbs of the Renukoot city include Kanoria Chemicals.

Most of the economy of Renukoot revolves around Hindalco. More than 60% of the people live in Hindalco colony and almost all the businesses depends on these people.

Education and Schools

Renukoot and surrounding areas have three major english medium high schools, and they all follow the CBSE board. They are Nirmala Convent High School, Aditya Birla Public School earlier known as Hindalco Vidya Niketan (10+2), and Kendriya Vidya Mandir. Renukoot also has two schools where the medium of education is hindi, and they follow the Uttar Pradesh board standards Aditya Birla Intermediate College . Renukoot does not have any universities beyond 10+2, but there are many big universities with 4 to 5 hours distance, including Banaras Hindu University and Allahabad University.

Notable graduates

Anil Kumal Ruia, IIT-JEE topper from 1992, graduted from Nirmala Convent High School, 10th grade, and from Hindalco Vidya Niketan for 10+2. Other notable achievers from Renukoot include bollywood actor Vivek Mushran. There is now a huge diaspora of graduates who come from Renukoot, many went on to IITs and a multitude of top universities in USA. Some have come back as second generation employees of Kanoria Chemicals and Hindalco.

References

Temples

Renukeshwar Temple