Budha Goraya Gujranwala

Budha Goraya Gujranwala is a historic and culturally rich town located in Nowshera Virkan Tehsil, part of the Gujranwala District, Punjab, Pakistan. The area has deep roots in history, with ancient settlements, respected personalities, and a thriving agricultural economy.

Budha Goraya (Urdu: بڈھاگورائیہ) is both a town and a Union Council. The town has produced notable personalities, including Ch Ziaullah Goraya (bank officer), Ch Attaullah Goraya (retired headmaster and farmer), and bureaucrats like Ch Khalid Javed Goraya, Ch Khizar Zahoor Goraya, and DSP Ch Faisal Goraya. The name is also linked with a village of the same name near Daska in the Sialkot district.

History

The history of Budha Goraya goes back centuries. It was originally referred to as “Rammalli Gorayan Di”, meaning the occupied passage of the Gorayas. The name Budha Goraya comes from the words Budha (old person) and Goraya, a Jatt caste in Pakistan. The elders of the Goraya caste once herded animals here, and travelers used to recognize the area by their presence.

Later, a village was destroyed in an earthquake, forcing people to settle in nearby lands. Many of these areas now carry names like Dera Ch. Zafar Goraya, Saddu Goraya, Ratta Goraya, and Bupra Kalan Goraya.

Religious and cultural history is also strong, with shrines like Pir Madha Shah Sultan and Peer Salam.

Location

Budha Goraya Gujranwala is about 228 meters above sea level. The town lies 15 km from Gujranwala and 12 km north of Nowshera Virkan, easily accessible via a newly constructed road connected to the National Highway N-5.

Weather

The weather in Budha Goraya varies with the seasons. It experiences hot summers and cold winters, typical of Punjab’s plains.

Month	Max Temp (°C)	Min Temp (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
January	22	5	25
May	42	23	10
July	42	29	100+
December	24	7	15

The monsoon season brings the most rain in July and August, helping in crop growth. The weather today in Budha Goraya is usually hot during April with temperatures up to 38°C.

Demographics and Clans

Budha Goraya is home to many religious sects and family clans:

Majority: Muslims (99.9% Sunni, 0.1% Shi’a)
Minorities: Christians (5%), one Ahmadi family
Main Clans: Rajput, Jatt, Butt, Dogar, Kumhar, Shaikh, Mochi, Nai, Khokhar, Julaha

Despite some political clashes, the community generally lives in harmony.

Culture

Budha Goraya reflects a rich Punjabi culture. While older generations wore dhoti kurta and pagri, modern dress like shalwar qameez and western wear is now common. Migrants have also adapted to local lifestyles, blending traditions across generations.

Budha Goraya Economy

The local economy mainly depends on agriculture. Key crops include:

Wheat
Rice
Potatoes
Sunflowers
Watermelons
Melons
Pears

Other industries include:

Cottage industry (especially carpet weaving)
Elastic knitting factories
Dairy farming

Though there is no processing plant, milk is sold locally and in Gujranwala.

Education

The literacy rate is around 80%, and education is a major focus. Important educational contributors include Sir Irfan Ali and Sir Umer Hayat.

Boys’ Primary School: Established in 1947
Boys’ Secondary School: Established in 1967
Girls’ Secondary School: Started in 1970s, promoted to higher secondary in 2009
Budha Goraya Public Library: Founded by M. Ajmal Khan with over 2,000 Urdu books

Many students have achieved high-level government jobs after graduating from these schools.

Postal Code

The postal code for Budha Goraya, Gujranwala, is:

Location

Budha Goraya

Postal Code

52356

Type

Delivery

Branch

52357

Goraya Surname and Caste in Pakistan

The Goraya surname belongs to a Jatt caste, found widely in Punjab, Pakistan. The Goraya in Urdu (گورایہ) community has a long history of farming, public service, and leadership roles. Many have contributed to Pakistan’s development in various sectors.