BARDHAMANA TOUR TO THE CORE….

BRIEF HISTORY AND A DIP INTO IT’S CULTURE……

BIRTH OF THE NAME• THE NAME BURDWAN IS AN ANGLICIZED FORM OF THE SANSKRIT WORD ‘VARDHANA.’

• THERE ARE TWO VIEWS ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME  BARDDHAMANA. ONE, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN NAMED AFTER THE 24TH. JAINA TIRTHANKAR OR BARDDHAMANASWAMI. TWO, BARDDHAMANA MEANS PROSPEROUS GROWTH CENTRE WHICH CAME UP IN THE PROGRESS OF ARYANISATION FROM THE UPPER GANGES VALLEY, THE FRONTIER COLONY WAS CALLED BARDDHAMANA AS A LANDMARK OF GROWTH AND PROSPERITY.

BACK IN TIME• EARLIER BARDHAMANA WAS A FAMOUS BHUKTI AND WAS ALSO KNOWN AS RADHA. RADHA-VARDDHAMANA AREA BECAME A PART OF

THE MAURYA EMPIRE.

• LATER THE VARMAN DYNASTY ROSE TO POWER IN WEST BENGAL LED BY CHANDRA VARMAN. AFTER THAT GUPTA DYNASTY CAME IN TO POWER AND VINAY GUPTA WAS IN CHARGE OF THIS AREA. AFTER HIM, SASANKA, THE FIRST INDEPENDENT PARAMOUNT SOVEREIGN OF BENGAL AND THEN JAYANAGA WAS IN CHARGE OF THIS AREA.

• THE RISE OF THE PALAS IN THE LATER PART OF THE 8TH CENTURY MARKED A NEW BEGINNING. THEN SENA DYNASTY TOOK OVER THE CHARGE OF BENGAL.

THE FLASHBACKS OF THE MUSLIM RULE• THE FIRST MUSLIM INVASION OF BENGAL TOOK PLACE DURING THE REIGN OF LAKSHMANASENA BY BAKHTIYAR KHILJI. DURING THE

REIGN OF HASMUDDIN IWAZ A PORTION OF THE NORTHERN RADHA WAS OCCUPIED BY THE MUSLIM RULER OF LAKHNAUTI. THE NEXT KING, HIS SON, RUKNUDDIN BARBAK SHAH EXTENDED HIS PATRONAGE TO LITERAL ACTIVIST MALADHAR BASU, THE POET OF SRIKRISHNAVIJAYA, A RESIDENT OF KULINGRAM IN BARDHHAMAN DISTRICT WHO RECEIVED THE TITLE OF GUNARAJ KHAN FROM THE KING.

• IN 1606, QUTBUDDIN KHAN KOKA, A FOSTER-BROTHER OF JEHANGIR, WAS APPOINTED THE GOVERNOR OF BENGAL. SHER AFGAN ISTAJHI, A TURKISH NOBLEMAN, WAS AT THAT TIME THE JAGIRDAR OF BARDDHAMAN. HIS WIFE MEHERUNNESSA  WAS A LADY FAMOUS FOR HER BEAUTY. QUTBUDDIN KHAN KOKA PAID A VISIT TO BARDHHAMAN, SHORTLY AFTER HIS ARRIVAL IN BENGAL. THERE WAS A FIGHT BETWEEN SHER AFGAN AND QUTBUDDIN IN THE COURSE OF WHICH BOTH WERE KILLED. MEHERUNNESSA BECAME THE CONSORT OF JEHANGIR WHO CONFERRED ON HER THE TITLE OF NOOR JAHAN. THE TOMB OF SHER AFGAN AND QUTBUDDIN LIE SIDE BY SIDE WITHIN THE TOWN OF BARDDHAMAN.

BARDHAMAN RAJ AND MARATHAS• THE RAI FAMILT STARTED THE ZAMINDARI SYSTEM HERE AND BEGAN THE BARDHAMAN RAJ. THE FAMOUS NAMES INCLUDE: ABU

RAI, BABU RAI, KRISHNARAM RAI ETC.

• THE MARATHA ARMY FROM NAGPUR UNDER BHASKAR PANDIT HAD ENTERED INTO BENGAL IN 1740. AT THAT TIME, ALIVARDI KHAN WAS THE NAWAB(GOVERNOR) OF BENGAL-BIHAR-ORISSA. MANY WARS WERE FOUGHT AFTER WHICH A PEACE TREATY WAS SIGNED.

• CHITRA SEN RAI WAS CONFERRED THE TITLE OF RAJA BY THE MUGHAL EMPEROR BY A FIRMAN IN 1740. HE BUILT THE FAMOUS SIDDHESWARI TEMPLE IN KALNA. DURING THE RULE OF TILAK CHAND ,QUITE A NUMBER OF TEMPLES WERE BUILT AT KALNA AND DAINHAT.

• RANI VISHNUKUMARI TOOK OVER THE CHARGE AND MANAGED THE AFFAIRS OF THE ZAMINDARI FROM 1776 TO 1779 AND HANDED OVER CHARGE TO HER FOURTEEN YEARS OLD SON TEJCHAND. IN 1864, THE MAHARAJA WAS APPOINTED AS AN ADDITIONAL MEMBER OF THE VICEROY'S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. HE WAS THE FIRST BENGALI TO HAVE THE HONOUR.

BRITISH RAJThe British Crown assumed the Government of India by the proclamation of Queen Victoria in 1857. The Permanent Settlement with its concomitant huge revenue demands put all the zaminders under pressure and this pressure was gradually but inexorably transmitted down to the ryots.

The Swaraj Party's nominees were elected from six out of the ten seats at the Kalna municipality election, while at Katwa the leader of the local non-cooperators was elected chairman of the municipality in 1924. In 1930, when Gandhiji was arrested there was complete hartal at Barddhaman. In September 1931, bombs were thrown into the thana compound at Kalna and in the quater of the SI of police, Memari. Subhas Chandra Bose paid a visit to Bardhhaman in December 1931 and had addressed a meeting.

The conditions were such that Bengal Public Security Act 1932 was promulgated in the Asansol subdivision. Kazi Nazrul IslAm, the noted Bengali poet was born at Churulia in Raniganj. His poems provided inspiration to the people for attainment of Independence. The people of Burdwan responded to the call of the country during the Quit India Movement of 1942. The post office of Kashiara was burnt as also the railway station of Kalna. Political agitation in different forms continued till the eve of Independence. 

HISTORY HAS CARVED OUT THE CULTURE• BURDWAN HAS A MULTI-CULTURAL HERITAGE. THE DEULS (TEMPLES OF REKHA TYPE) FOUND HERE ARE REMINISCENT OF

BENGALI HINDU ARCHITECTURE. THE OLD TEMPLES BEAR SIGNS OF HINDUISM, MOSTLY BELONGING TO THE SAKTA AND VAISHNAVA FOLLOWERS.

• BURDWAN HAS WITNESSED, EXPERIENCED AND SURVIVED NUMEROUS VIOLENT CONFLICTS, MAINLY DUE TO THE MUGHAL, PASHTUN AND MARATHA INVADERS. THE CITY OF BARDHAMAN WAS VISITED BY NOTABLES OF THE DELHI SULTANATE FROM RAJA TODARMAL TO DAUD KARNANI, FROM SHER AFGHAN AND KUTUB-UD-DIN TO AJIMUSWAN TO THE FUTURE MUGHAL EMPEROR SHAH JAHAN WHILE HE WAS STILL A REBEL. BARDHAMAN ALSO HAS A NUMBER OF BENGALI CHRISTIANS. ALTHOUGH CHRISTIANS ARE A MINORITY, STILL THERE ARE MANY CHURCHES IN BARDHAMAN.Religions in Bardhaman

Religion PercentHindus    84%Muslims    14%Jains    1.0%Others†    1.0%Distribution of religions†Includes Sikhs (0.2%), Buddhists (<0.2%).

FOOD…THE LANGUAGE OF TASTE BUDS• SITABHOG AND MIHIDANA ARE TWO FAMOUS SWEETS OF BURDWAN, INTRODUCED FIRST IN HONOR OF THE RAJ

FAMILY. • SHAKTIGARH'S LANGCHA IS ANOTHER LOCAL SPECIALTY.• RICE IS THE STAPLE FOOD OF BENGAL AND IS THE MAIN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE OF BURDWAN DISTRICT-

BARDHAMAN IS CALLED THE RICE BOWL OF WEST BENGAL.• FISH IS ALSO THE FAVOURITE CURRY ITEM OF BARDHAMAN AS WELL AS WEST BENGAL.

DANCE AN ARTRAIBENSHE, ALTERNATIVELY, RAIBESHE, IS A GENRE OF INDIAN FOLK MARTIAL DANCE PERFORMED BY MALES ONLY. THIS GENRE OF DANCE WAS ONCE VERY POPULAR IN WEST BENGAL. PRESENTLY, IT IS PERFORMED MOSTLY IN BIRBHUM, BARDHAMAN AND MURSHIDABAD DISTRICTS.

TRADITIONALLY, THIS DANCE INVOLVES VIGOROUS AND MANLY MOVEMENTS OF THE BODY ALONG WITH THE ACROBATICS OF A RAIBANSH (A LONG BAMBOO STICK), FROM WHICH ITS NAME ORIGINATED. DURING THE PERFORMANCE, THE PERFORMERS ENACT THE ACTIONS OF DRAWING A BOW, THROWING A SPEAR AND WAVING A SWORD. THE PERFORMERS WEAR A BRASS ANKLET (NUPUR) ON THEIR RIGHT ANKLE. THIS DANCE IS ACCOMPANIED BY DHOLS (DRUMS) AND KANSHIS (CYMBALS). THIS DANCE WAS TRADITIONALLY PERFORMED BY BAGDI COMMUNITY, WHO WORKED AS THE BODYGUARDS OF THE LANDLORDS IN MEDIEVAL BENGAL.

THE NATURAL ELEMENTS OF BURDWAN

GEOGRAPHY• TOPOGRAPHY: BARDHAMAN DISTRICT WITH ITS VARIED TECTONIC ELEMENTS AND RIVERINE FEATURES, IS A TRANSITIONAL ZONE BETWEEN THE JHARKHAND

PLATEAU WHICH CONSTITUTES A PORTION OF PENINSULAR SHIELD IN THE WEST AND GANGA-BRAHAMAPUTRA ALLUVIAL PLAIN IN THE NORTH AND EAST. IN GENERAL THE JHARKHAND PLATEAU CONSISTS OF THE METASEDIMENTARY ROCKS OF PRECAMBRIAN AGE, GONDWANA SEDIMENTARY ROCKS, RAJMAHAL BASALTS AND UPPER TERTIARY SEDIMENTS. LATERITE HAS DEVELOPED ON THESE OLDER ROCKS AS WELL AS ON EARLY QUATERNARY SEDIMENTS. TOWARDS SOUTH, THE ALLUVIAL PLAIN MERGES WITH DAMODAR-KASAIN-SUBARNAREKHA DELTAIC PLAINS. THE WESTERN HALF OF THE DISTRICT RESEMBLES A PROMONTORY JUTTING OUT FROM THE HILL RANGES OF CHOTTANAGPUR PLATEAU AND CONSISTS OF BARREN, ROCKY AND ROLLING COUNTRY WITH A LATERITE SOIL RISING INTO ROCKY HILLOCKS, THE HIGHEST BEING 227 M. THESE DIVERSIFY THE OTHERWISE MONOTONOUS LANDSCAPE AND LEND A SPECIAL CHARM TO THE SKYLINE AROUND ASANSOL SUBDIVISION. AJOY-BARAKAR DIVIDE IS A CONVEX PLATEAU, THE AVERAGE ALTITUDE BEING 150 M. THE GRADIENT IS WESTERLY TO THE WEST AND TO THE EAST IT IS NORTHERLY TOWARDS AJAY AND SOUTHERLY TOWARDS DAMODAR BELOW THE LATITUDE. THE AJOY- DAMODAR INTER-STREAM TRACT IS MADE UP OF SEVERAL STOWS CONSISTING OF VALES AND LOW CONVEX SPURS WHICH RUN IN ALMOST ALL DIRECTIONS EXCEPT NORTH-EAST AND THUS LENDS A VERY COMPLICATED CHARACTER TO LOCAL RELIEF.

• RIVERS: THE RIVER SYSTEM IN BARDHAMAN  INCLUDES THE BHAGIRATHI-HOOGHLY IN THE EAST, THE AJOY AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN THE NORTH AND THE DWARAKESWAR, THE DAMODAR AND ITS BRANCHES IN THE SOUTH-WEST. BESIDES, THERE ARE INNUMERABLE KHALS AND OLD RIVER BEDS ALL OVER THE AREA. THEY ARE DAMODAR, BHAGIRATHI, BARAKAR, AJAY, DWARAKESWAR, NONIA, SINGARAM, TAMLA, KUKUA, KUNUR, TUMUNI, KHARI, BANKA, CHANDA-KANKI NALA, BEHULA, GANGUR, BRAHMANI, KHANDESVARI, KARULIA NALA, DWARAKA OR BABLA, KOIYA NALA, KANDARKAHAL, KANADAMODAR, KANANADI, GHEA, KAKINADI ETC.

• SOILS AND MINERALS: DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOIL ARE ENCOUNTERED IN DIFFERENT TOPOGRAPHICAL BIOLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL AS WELL AS GEOLOGICAL CONDITION WITHIN THE BARDHAMAN DISTRICT. IN THE WEST COARSE GRITTY SOIL BLENDED WITH ROCK FRAGMENTS IS FORMED FROM THE WEATHERING OF PEGMATITE, QUARTZ VEINS AND CONGLOMERATIC SANDSTONES, WHERE AS SANDY SOIL CHARACTERISTIC OF GRANITIC ROCKS AND SANDSTONES. THIS SOIL IS OF REDDISH COLOUR, MEDIUM TO COARSE IN TEXTURE, ACIDIC IN REACTION, LOW IN NITROGEN, CALCIUM, PHOSPHATE AND OTHER PLANT NUTRIENTS. WATER HOLDING CAPACITY OF THIS SOIL INCREASES WITH DEPTH AS WELL AS WITH THE INCREASE OF CLAY PORTIONS. TOWARDS THE EAST ALLUVIAL SOIL ATTAINS AN ENORMOUS THICKNESS IN THE LOW LEVEL PLAINS TO THE EAST. THIS ALLUVIAL SOIL IS FORMED OF ALLUVIUM BROUGHT DOWN BY THE AJAY, DAMODAR, BHAGIRATHI AND NUMEROUS OTHER RIVERS. THESE SOILS ARE SANDY, WELL DRAINED AND SLIGHTLY ACIDIC IN NATURE. BARDDHAMAN IS ONE OF THE PREMIER DISTRICTS IN INDIA IN TERMS OF VALUE OF MINERAL. THE RANIGANJ COALFIELD WAS THE BIRTH PLACE OF THE INDIAN COAL INDUSTRY. BESIDES COAL ,IMPORTANT MINERALS FOUND IN THE DISTRICT ARE ,IRON ORES, CALCIUM CARBONATE, ABRASIVES, SILICA BRICKS AND MOULDING SANDS, GLASS SANDS, BUILDING MATERIALS, MANGANESE, BAUXITE, LATERITE ETC.

GEOGRAPHY CONTINUED……• WATER RESOURCES AND FORESTS: THERE ARE MANY TANKS, WELLS, CANALS, SWAMPS AND  BILS ARE FOUND ALL OVER THE DISTRICT.

WITHIN THE DAMODAR VALLEY REGION, THERE ARE AROUND 17000 TANKS. THE DURGAPUR BARRAGE AND MITHON DAM HAVE FORMED TWO LARGE RESERVOIRS AT THE SOUTH-WESTERN AND WESTERN PERIPHERY OF THE DISTRICT. THE FOREST AREAS OF THE DISTRICT ARE CHIEFLY SITUATED IN THE LATERITIC AND RED SOIL HIGH LANDS IN THE AUSHGRAM PS OF SADAR SUBDIVISION AND IN THE ASANSOL SUBDIVISION. IN AUSGRAM P.S. THE FOREST AREAS ARE INTERSPERSED WITH PADDY FIELDS. THE DURGAPUR FORESTS ARE CONTINUED IN THE BIRBHUM DISTRICT BEYOND THE AJAY WHILE THE FOREST AREA IN THE ASANSOL SUBDIVISION FORMS A PART OF THE FOREST AREA OF DUMKA DISTRICT OF JHARKHAND.

• FLORA AND FAUNA: THE FLORA OF THE DISTRICT IS CHARACTERIZED BY THE ARBORESCENT SPECIES SUCH AS SIMUL, NEEM, AMLAKI, NARIKEL, KHEJUR, TAL, BAT, ASVATTHA, PALAS, KRISHNACHUDA , AM AND SHRUBBY SPECIES SUCH AS ASHSHEODA, PIANJ, RASUN, RAJANIGANDHA,GHENTU OR BHAT, KURABAKA, GULANCHA, TULSI, SHIORA AND DUMUR. THE UPLANDS OF ASANSOL SUBDIVISION AND THE LATERITE AREA OF THE DISTRICT ARE IN PLACES COVERED WITH SAL, PALAS (BUTEA BANS , SHIREESHA, ARKA, KEND, ARJUN AND ASHAN. THE COMMON PLANTS IN HEDGES AND WASTELANDS ARE LAL-BHARENDA, BAN-OKRA, HELIOTROPIUM STRIGOSUM WILLD., HATI-SOOND, ULU, SIDA VERONICIFOLIA LAM., S.CORDIFOLIA L., ETC. THE COMMON AQUATIC AND MARSH WEEDS FOUND IN THE JHEELS ANS SWAMPS IN THE EASTERN PARTS OF THE DISTRICT ARE KESHE, BENA, GANJ OR PATA-SOLA, JHANGI, POND WEED, KESAR-DAM ETC. THE CARNIVORES OF THE DISTRICT COMPRISE LEOPARD, WOLF, HYENA, JACKAL AND OTHER SMALLER SPECIES, BUT HYENAS AND LEOPARDS ARE NOT COMMON. TIGERS WERE FORMERLY COMMON IN THE DISTRICT, ESPECIALLY IN THE JUNGLES OF THE ASANSOL SUBDIVISION ADJOINING THE JHARKHAND, BUT HAVE NOW ENTIRELY DISAPPEARED. WOLVES ARE SCARCE, AND ARE MOSTLY MET WITH IN THE JUNGLES NORTH OF KANKSA. WILD PIGS ARE NUMEROUS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT AND MONKEYS ALSO ABOUND INCLUDING THE VARIETY KNOWN AS HANUMAN. IN THE HILLY AREAS AN OCCASIONAL PYTHON IS MET WITH. POISONOUS SNAKES ARE VERY COMMON AND INCLUDE SEVERAL KINDS OF COBRA, THE KARAIT AND THE DEADLY RUSSELL'S VIPER. OTHER MOST FREQUENTLY SEEN VARIETIES ARE  THE DHAMNA AND VARIOUS SPECIES OF HARMLESS GRASS SNAKES. THE COMMON AVIFAUNA OF THE DISTRICT ARE PEA-FOWL, JUNGLE-FOWL, JUNGLE CROW, HOUSE CROW, TREEPIE, COMMON BABBLER, COMMON JORA, GOLD-FRONTED CHLOROPSIS, RED-VENTED BABUL, RED-WHISKERED BULBUL, RED SPOTTED BLUETHROAT, BROWN-BACKED ROBIN, SHAMA, TICKELL'S BLUE FLYCATCHER, PARADISE FLYCATCHER, WOOD SHRIKE, BLACK DRONGO, TAILOR BIRD, STREAKED FANTAIL WARBLER, GOLDEN ORIOLE, COMMON MAYNA, PIED MAYNA, WHITE-BACKED MUNIA, WHITE-THROATED MUNIA, SPITTED MUNIA, RED MUNIA, YELLOW-THROATED SPARROW, HOUSE SPARROW, WOODPECKER, INDIA CUCKOO, PIED CRESTED CUCKOO, KOEL, PARAKEET, NILKANTHA, BEE-EATER, KINGFISHER, HORNBILL, HOOPOE, HORNED OWL, SPOTTED OWLET, JUNGLE OWLET, GRIFFON VULTURE, LONG-BILLED VULTURE, SCAVENGER VULTURE, LAGGER FALCON, SMALL SPOTTED EAGLE, BRAHMINI KITE, PARIAH KITE, SPARROW HAWK, VARIOUS TYPES OF PIGEON AND DOVE, GOOSE, DUCK, TEAL, LAPWING, WHITE NECKED STORK AND SEVERAL VARIETIES OF EGRET AND HERON. THE LOW-LYING SWAMPY AREAS OF BARDHAMAN BEING IN LINE OF MIGRATION PROVIDE A VERY GOOD SHELTERING PLACE FOR THE MIGRATORY BIRDS IN WINTER.

GEOGRAPHY CONTINUED…..• FISHES: OF THE RIVERS AND RIVULETS WHICH PASS THROUGH THE DISTRICT OF BARDDHAMAN, THE GANGES (BHAGIRATHI), THE

DAMODAR, THE BANKA, THE AJOY AND THE KHARI CONSTITUTE THE FISHERIES OF SOME IMPORTANCE. OUT OF THESE RIVERS, ONLY THE GANGES  MAINTAINS THE FLOW OF WATER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE FLOW OF DAMODAR DEPENDS ENTIRELY UPON THE DISCHARGE OF WATER BY DVC FROM ITS BARRAGES. THE OTHER RIVERS PRACTICALLY DRY UP IN HOT MONTHS WHEN FISHES ACCUMULATE IN DEPRESSIONS HERE AND THERE TO CAUGHT INDISCRIMINATELY BY THE FISHERMAN.PRINCIPAL CATCHES FROM THE ABOVE RIVERS ARE AS FOLLOWS :- ROHU (L.ROHITA), MRIGLE (C. MRIGALA), KATLA (CATLA CATLA), KHARKE BATA (C. REBA), BHANGAN BATA (L. BATA), SHRIMPS (METAPENEUS SPP.) MAURALA (A. MOLA), PABDA (C. PABDA), TENGRA (MYSTUS SPP.), BELE (G. GURIUS), CHELA (C. BACAILA), PUNTI (BARBUS APP.), BOAL (WALLAGE ATTU.), AID (MYSTUS SEENGHALA), GALDA (PALAOMEN SPP.), VACHA (E. VACHA), CHITAL (N. CHITALA), PHOLOI (N. NOTOPTERUS), KHAIRA (GADUSIA CHAPRA), FENSA (E. TELARA), SILON (S. SILONDIA), BHOLA (SCIAENA COITOR) ETC.

GEOGRAPHY CONTINUED…..• CLIMATE: THE DISTRICT EXPERIENCES A CLIMATE WHICH IS TRANSITIONAL BETWEEN CWG3 AND AW1 TYPES, WHERE 'C' STANDS FOR

'WARM TEMPERATE RAINY CLIMATE WITH MILD WINTER', 'W' FOR 'DRY WINTER NOT COMPENSATED FOR BY TOTAL RAIN IN THE REST OF THE YEAR', 'G3' FOR 'EASTERN GANGES TYPE OF TEMPERATURE TREND' AND 'AW1' FOR 'TROPICAL SAVANNAH CLIMATES'. AVERAGE TEMPERATURE IN HOT SEASON IS 30OC WHILE AT THE COLD SEASON IS 20OC. AND AVERAGE RAINFALL IS  150 MM. THE COLD SEASON STARTS FROM ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER AND CONTINUES TILL THE END OF FEBRUARY. MARCH TO MAY IS DRY SUMMER INTERVENED BY TROPICAL CYCLONES AND STORMS. JUNE TO SEPTEMBER IS WET SUMMER WHILE OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER IS AUTUMN.

Climate data for Burdwan, IndiaMonth

Jan

Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year

Average high °C (°F)

26(78.8)

27.5(81.5)

34.5(94.1)

37.4(99.4)

32.6(90.7)

34.9(94.9)

32(90)

32.3(90.1)

32.4(90.3)

32(89.6)

28(82.4)

26(78.8)

31.3(88.38)

Average low °C (°F)

12(53.6)

15(59)

20(68)

24.9(76.8)

25.9(78.6)

26(78.8)

25(77)

25(77)

25(77)

24.7(76.5)

17.5(63.5)

12.5(54.5)

21.13(70.02)

Precipitation mm (inches)

18(0.7)

38(1.5)

33(1.3)

48(1.9)

130(5)

244(9.6)

348(13.7)

312(12.3)

290(11.4)

157(6.2)

28(1.1)

5(0.2)

1,651(64.9)

Avg. rainy days 4 3 4 6 10 18 23 22 18 11 3 1 123

THE NATURAL SOURCES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PROJECT

KEY POINTS:-

SOURCE OF WATER:

• BORING- IS A PROCESS BY WHICH GROUNDWATER TABLES CAN BE ACCESSED WHICH WILL ASSIST IN CONSTRUCTION PURPOSE.

• RAINWATER HARVESTING- IS THE ACCUMULATION AND DEPOSITION OF RAINWATER FOR REUSE WHICH WILL ASSIST IN THE CONSTRUCTION PURPOSE IN THIS AREA.

 

THE NATURAL SOURCES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PROJECT

KEY POINTS:-

SOURCE OF RIVER WATER: FOR RIVER WATER AVAILABILITY PERMISSION HAS TO BE TAKEN FROM THE RIVER BOARD.

SOURCE OF POWER: ELECTRICITY IS AVAILABLE IN THE DISTRICT BUR SOLAR ENERGY CAN BE USED AS A SOURCE OF POWER IN THIS AREA, WHERE THE RADIANT LIGHT AND HEAT FROM THE SUN, IS HARNESSED USING A RANGE OF EVER-EVOLVING TECHNOLOGIES.

POSITION OF THE LAND: PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PROJECT AND IS BASED ON THE REQUIREMENTS.

POSITION OF SOIL: BEING A PLAIN LAND IT IS GOOD FOR AGRICULTURE. MOST OF THE LANDS ARE USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSE. TO CONVERT SUCH A LAND INTO A LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE PERMISSION HAS TO BE TAKEN FROM THE BLRO (BLOCK LAND REVENUE OFFICE) IN THAT AREA.

THE POLITICAL KEYS…..

POLITICAL SCENARIO IN THE DISTRICT

Burdwan comprises of Gram Panchayat which is a local self-government institution at the village or small town level and has a ’Sarpanch’ as its elected head.

The Gram Panchayat consists of between 7 and 20 members, elected from the wards of the village, and they are called a "panch". People of the village select a panch, with one-eighth of seats reserved for female candidates. To establish a gram panchyat in a village, the population of the village should be at least 500 people of voting age.

All the decisions are taken by this Gram Panchayat regarding the welfare of the people.

So to start anything new-be it for business or administrative purpose the Gram Panchayat has to be consulted first and permission has to be taken.

Political situation is flexible which will encourage the growth of the district in all spheres.

The exact location is Aushgram where the crime level is normal. The main cases include: road accidents, bargah problems, land division problems, party office problems, small loan problems, small fights, small stealing issues, animals related problem and personal problems.

A GLIMPSE OF THE TOURIST SPOTS

PLACES OF INTEREST: RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL

• PIRBAHARAM SIKHA: TOMB OF SHER AFGAN, SUBJECT OF AKBAR THE GREAT & KUTUBUDDIN, SUBEDAR OF BENGAL.

• KHWAJA ANOWAR BERH: TOMB OF KHWAJA ANWAR, THE FAMOUS MUGHAL WARRIOR.

• KAMALAKANTA KALIBARI: THE TEMPLE GODDESS KALI, ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAMOUS DEVOTEE POET KAMALAKANTA.

• SHAH ALAM’S DARGA: A BUILDING OF ARCHEOLOGICAL INTEREST BUILT IN THE EARLY 18TH CENTURY BY MURSHIDKULI KHAN, THE THEN SUBEDAR OF BENGAL. 

• BABTADIHI: THE IDOL OF LORD SIVA IN THE TEMPLE IS OF DEFINITE ARCHEOLOGICAL INTEREST, AND BELIEVED TO BE OF THE PAL AGE.

• SIDDESWARI TEMPLE: TEMPLE OF PRESIDING GODDESS SIDDHESWARI AMBIKA, SURROUNDED BY SIVA TEMPLE. FAMOUS FOR TERRACOTTA WORKS.

• BAIKUNTHANATH SIVA TEMPLE : BUILT BY BRAJAKISHORI , MOTHER OF KIRTICHAND , NOTABLE FOR ITS TERACOTTA WORKS.

• SHYAMARUPA TEMPLE : THIS TERRACOTTA TEMPLE HOUSES 10 ARMED IDOL OF SHYAMARUPA MADE OF MARBEL STONE, AND WAS BUILT MORE THAN 1000 YEARS AGO. 

• TEMPLE OF ICHAI GHOSH : THIS HUGE TEMPLE OF BURNT BRICKS TOWERS TO 200 FEET IN HEIGHT AND IS DISTINCT BY ITS ARCHITECTURE AND ENGRAVINGS.

• RARHESWAR TEMPLE : THIS SIVA TEMPLE HAS AN UNIQUE ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE AND WAS REPORTEDLY BUILT TO PROTECT THE VILLAGE FROM THE ATTACK OF BHASKAR PANDIT WHO WAS AN WORSHIPPER OF SIVA.

• RADHESHYAM TEMPLE : THE BURNT- BRICK TEMPLE BUILT IN THE BANKURA-BISHNUPUR STYLE ATTRACTS TOURIST BY ITS UNIQUE STRUCTURE & TERRACOTTA WORKS. 

• BISHNU TEMPLE : THIS 35 FEET HIGH STONE TEMPLE , THE ONLY OF ITS KIND IN THE AREA, BELIEVED TO BUILT DURING THE PAL AGE, HOUSES AN IDOL OF LORD NARAYANA.

PLACES OF INTEREST: RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL

PLACES OF INTEREST: SIGHT SEEING

• KRISHNASAYAR ECOLOGICAL PARK: A BEAUTIFUL LAKE & PARK ADJACENT TO BURDWAN UNIVERSITY WITH AN AQUARIUM, BOATING FACILITIES AND OTHER ATTREATIONS.

• RANISAYAR : A BIG AND BEAUTIFUL LAKE EXCAVATED BY QUEEN BRAJAKISHORI IN THE HEART OF THE TOWN.

• CURZON GATE : A HISTORICAL MONUMENT CONSTRUCTED BY MAHARAJA BIJOYCHAND OF BURDWAN TO WELCOME LORD CURZON, THE THEN VICEROY OF BENGAL AT THE ENTRANCE OF BURDWAN TOWN NOW KNOWN AS BIJOY TORAN.

• MEGHNAD SAHA PLANETORIUM : A PLANETARIUM OF INTERNATIONAL SLANDARD , ONE OF THE BEST IN ASIA NEAR THE UNIVERSITY COMPLEX, GOLAPBAG.

• BURDWAN SCIENCE CENTRE : A SCIENCE MUSEUM OF EXCELLENCE STANDARD NEAR THE BURDWAN UNIVERSITY COMPLEX , GOLAPBAG.

• UDDHARANPUR : THE VILLAGE RESEMBLES A FORT AND IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE FAMOUS NAIHATI FORT WAS SITUATED HERE. NOTED FOR ITS 500 YEAR OLD FAIR.

• KOGRAM : AT THE CONFLUENCE OF RIVERS AJOY AND KUNUR, UJANI, BELIEVED TO BE THE CAPITAL OF VIKRAMADITYA IS TODAY’S KOGRAM. THE DHANAPATI SAUDAGAR OF CHANDIMANGAL FAME ALSO USED TO STAY HERE. A TEMPLE OF GODDESS CHANDI CAN ALSO BE SEEN HERE. BELIEVED TO BE ONE OF THE SATIPITHS.

• KALNA RAJ BARI : A PALACE OF THE MAHARA OF BURDWAN STILL ATTRACTS A LARGE NUMBER OF VISITORS BY ITS GRANDEUR. THE LALJI MANDIR , PRATAPESWAR DEUL AND KRISHNACHANDRAJI TEMPLES INSIDE THE COMPLEX ATTRACT TOURISTS.

• CHUPICHAR : A CLUSTER OF REVERINE ISLES AND OXBOW SPREAD ACROSS 20 SQ KMS ON THE MEANDERING COURSE OF RIVER GANGA. NEARLY 73 SPECIES OF MIGRATORY BIRDS ARRIVE IN WINTER AND STAY UPTO MONTH MARCH.

• DEER PARK : THE DURGAPUR DEER PARK CAN BE A REAL ATTRACTION TO WILD LIFE LOVERS.

PLACES OF INTEREST: SIGHT SEEING• NACHAN BIRD SANCTUARY : THE NACHAN BIRD SANCTUARY IS ALSO A TREAT TO WILD LIFE LOVERS.

• MAITHON DAM : THE MAITHON DAM AND ITS ADJACENT  RESERVOIR AND PICTURESQUE SURROUNDINGS MAKE IT AN IDEAL RESORT.

• CHURULIA : THE BIRTH PLACE OF NAZRUL ISLAM MAINTAINED BY NAZRUL ACADEMY. THERE IS AN YOUTH HOSTEL HERE. THE VILLAGE IS FAMOUS FOR STONE CARVING.

PLACES OF INTEREST: HISTORICAL• RAJBATI : THE PALACE OF THE MAHARAJA OF  BURDWAN ,PRESENTLY USED BY THE UNIVERSITY.

• KANCHANNAGAR : BELIEVED TO BE THE HEAD QUARTERS OF SASANKA, THE KING OF GOUR, FORMERLY KNOWN AS KARNA-SUVARNA, HERE LIES THE KANKALESWARI THE DEITY RESEMBLES A HUMAN SKELETON.

• DEULIA : THE BEAUTIFULLY CONSTRUCTED TEMPLE RESEMBLES THE ORISSA PATTERN OF “ REKH” TEMPLES AND IS BELIEVED TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE 10TH CENTURY.

• SINGI : THE NATIVE VILLAGE OF KASIRAM DAS THE NOTED BENGALI TRANSLATOR OF THE MAHABHARATA.

• SHER AFGAN GARH : THE REMAINS OF THE FORT OF SHER AFGAN AND A HUGE LAKE CAN BE SEEN HERE.

PLACES OF INTEREST: RELIGIOUS• SARBAMANGALA TEMPLE : TEMPLE OF THE DEITY SARBAMANGALA PRESIDING GODDESS OF THE BURDWAN RAJ. BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN FOUND

FROM THE SANDBED OF RIVER DAMODAR.

• JIMA MASJID :CONSTRUCTED BY AJIM-US-SAN, GRAND SON OF AURANGZEB, WHO WAS APPOINTED AS SUBEDAR OF BENGAL, IN THE LAST PART OF THE 17TH CENTURY.

• BARDHAMANESWAR SIVA TEMPLE :A SIVA TEMPLE WHERE HUGE BODY OF SIVA IDOL HAS BEEN HOUSED. THERE IS  SAYING THAT CHAND SADAGAR WORSHIPPED THIS SIVA IDOL.

• 108 SIVA MANDIR :A COMPLEX COMPRISING OF 108 DEITIES OF LORD SIVA HOUSED IN 108 TEMPLES IN PICTURESQUE SURROUNDINGS , A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN AND A LAKE , CONSTRUCTED BY MAHARANI BISHNU KUMARI.

• TOMB OF BAHMAN PIR :TOMB OF SYED MD. BAHAMAN A CONTEMPORARY OF SYED ALLAUDDIN HOSSAIN SHAH. THE ADJACENT DORGA IS VERY POPULAR TO ALL COMMUNITIES.

• GANTAR :THE TEMPLE OF GODDESS CHANDI IN THE VILLAGE ATTRACTS MANY TOURISTS . IT IS LOCALLY BELIEVED THAT IT IS ONE OF THE 51 SATIPITHS.

• SHREE GOURANGO MANDIR :A BAISHNAB TEMPLE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN VISITED BY SRI CHAITANYA AND KESHAB BHARATI.

• MADHAITALA :THE ASHRAMA IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN VISITED BY JAGAI & MADHAI, THE TWO DISCIPLES OF SREE CHAITANYA, AND THE AKHANDA KIRTANA THERE IS REPORTEDLY CONTINUING FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

• SREEKHANDA :A CENTER OF BAISHNAB CULTURE FAMOUS FOR CONGREGATION OF BAULS EVERY BAISAKH. A TEMPLE OF KHANDESWARI THE PRESIDING GODDESS OF THE VILLAGE ALSO EXISTS.

• AGRWADIP :ASSOCIATED WITH GOURANGA MAHAPRABHU AND FAMOUS FOR ITS GOPINATH TEMPLE.

• JAJIGRAM :SRINIBAS, BELIEVED TO BE THE 2ND INCARNATION OF CHAITANYA IS STATED TO HAVE LIVED HERE. THE RELICS OF HIS SADHANPITH CAN STILL BE SEEN. THIS TEMPLE HOUSES SEVERAL WOODEN AND STONE IDOLS.

• KSHETRAPAL :A BIG BANYAN TREE ON THE DAINHAT KRISHNANAGAR ROAD WORSHIPPED FOR CENTURIES BY PEOPLE FROM FAR AND NEAR.

• GNANDAS KANDRA :GNANDAS THE NOTED BAISHNAB POET WAS BORN IN KANDRA. HIS PLACE OF WORSHIP IN THE VILLAGE STILL ATTRACTS LARGE NUMBER OF DEVOTEES FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

• ATTAHAS :A TEMPLE OF ATTAHAS, THE GODDESS OF SAKTI CULT, ALSO KNOWN AS FULLORA ATTAHAS. BELIEVED TO BE ONE OF THE 51 SATIPITHS.

PLACES OF INTEREST: RELIGIOUS• KHIROGRAM : ANOTHER OF THE SATIPITHS, FAMOUS FOR ITS YOGADYA AND SIVA TEMPLES. ALSO FAMOUS FOR ITS

FAIR IN BAISAKH.• GOURANGO TEMPLE : MAHAPRAVU IS BELIEVED TO HAVE COME TO KALNA AND THE PLACE WHERE HE STAYED IS

KNOWN AS MAHAPRAVU TALA. THERE IS A GOURANGA TEMPLE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN BUILT UNDER INSTRUCTIONS OF MAHAPRAVU.

• 109 SIVA TEMPLE : JUST OPPOSITE THE RAJ BARI IS THE 109 SIVA TEMPLE BUILT BY TEJ CHANDRA BAHADUR IN 1809. THERE ARE 74 TEMPLES IN THE OUTER CIRCLE AND 34 IN THE INNER. ONE ANOTHER TEMPLE IS OUTSIDE THE CIRCLES.

• SRIKHANDA TEMPLE : A BEAUTIFUL TEMPLE WAS BUILT BY LAKSHMI KUMARI, MOTHER OF TILAKCHAND IN 1752.• KASHINATH SIVA TEMPLE : BUILT BU TULSIDEVI, COMPANION OF THE CONSORT OF TILAKCHAND.• BAGNAPARA : A NOTED BAISHNAB CENTRE. THERE ARE IDOLS OF RADHA, KRISHNA , KANAI AND BALAI, AND LORD

SIVA. ALSO FAMOUS FOR A FAIR.• GOPALDASPUR : RAKHALRAJ IS THE MOST WORSHIPPED DEITY HERE. THE WOODEN IDOL OF RADHAKANTA IS HOUSED

IN A BEAUTIFUL TEMPLE.• TARAKSHYA TEMPLE : A 700 YEAR OLD TEMPLE OF GODDESS TARAKSHYA, WHERE THE IDOL OF THE KAMALE-KAMINI

STYLE EVOKES CURIOSITY. • MANKAR : THIS VILLAGE IS STATED TO BE ONE OF THE HIDE-OUTS OF THE PANDAVAS DURING THEIR AGYATBASA HAS

A VERY OLD TEMPLE WITH IDOLS OF THE PANDAVAS. THERE ALSO EXIST THREE SIVA TEMPLES.• PANDABNATH TEMPLE : THE PANDAVAS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE SPENT A FEW DAYS HERE AND THE FIVE BROTHERS

AND MOTHER KUNTI ESTABLISHED ONE SIVA TEMPLE EACH HERE. • KALYANESHWARI TEMPLE :THE TEMPLE OF GODDESS KALYANESHWARI BELIEVED TO FULFILL THE WISHES OF

INFERTILE WOMEN, IS MORE THAN 500 YEARS OLD. THE IDOL IS CARVED ON A PIECE OF STONE.

PLACES OF INTEREST: RELIGIOUS

PLACES OF INTEREST: CULTURAL• AMRARGARH FORT : THE CAPITAL OF KING MAHINDRANATH AROUND THE 11TH CENTURY. THE REMAINS OF

FORT CAN BE SEEN HERE.• PANDU RAJAR DHIBI : RELICS OF CHALCOLITHIC AGE DATING BACK TO 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C. IN THE VALLEY

OF RIVER AJOY (NEAR BHEDIA)

SPECIAL PLACES OF INTEREST

SANTINIKETAN

Other than these there are two other places near to Burdwan which are famous for their eternal history. One is Santiniketan.

It is a small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district of West Bengal.

It was made by the famous Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, whose vision became what is now a university town (Visva-Bharati University) that attracts thousands of visitors each year. It is one of India's most renowned places of higher learning. It is also a tourist attraction because Rabindranath Tagore wrote many of his literary classics here, and his house is a place of historical importance.

Santiniketan can be visited at any time of the year. The climate is moderately warm.

Numerous social and cultural events take place throughout the year. These include - Basanta Utsav, Barsha Mangal, Sharodutsav, Nandan Mela, Poush Mela, Magh Mela, Rabindra Jayanti to name a few. Of these, the Poush Mela deserves special mention, this being a major tourist attraction. It is a 3-day fair, starting on the seventh day of the Bengali month Poush (usually, last week of December). It fetches not just tourists, but also artisans, folk singers, dancers, and the traditional Baul from the neighbourhood.

SPECIAL PLACES OF INTEREST

SANTINIKETAN

The attractions include: Prayer Hall, Dehali, China Bhavana, Black House, Shantiniketan Griha, Kala Bhavan, Uttarayan Complex, Bichitra, Sangeet Bhavan, Chhatimtala, Kankalitala, Visva-Bharati Central Library etc.

Tourists can reach the place by bus or by train.

SPECIAL PLACES OF INTEREST

BOLPUR

Bolpur subdivision is located at south border of Birbhum district.

It was a small village but now it has become an international city.

Kalikapur a known place of Bolpur was the origin of the village in past. There were no raillines and no developed roads. Paddy lands were seen around the village. "Lalmati"(red soil) was found everywhere.

Maharshi Debendranath Tagore established the centre of Religious mediation in Bolpur. 

Rabindranath Tagore established Visva Bharati Viswavidyalaya. These were the main reasons for the huge extention, devolpoment and popularity of Bolpur.

Tourists can reach the place by bus or by train.

INDUSTRIES• INDIAN IRON AND STEEL COMPANY (IISCO)

• DURGAPUR STEEL PLANT

• DURGAPUR ALLOY STEEL PLANT

• DURGAPUR FERTILIZER PROJECT

• DURGAPUR PROJECT LIMITED

• CHITTARANJAN LOCOMOTIVE

• HINDUSTAN CABLES LTD

• OTHER INDUSTRIES : IRON UTENSILS ARE MADE THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT. THE MANUFACURE OF CUTLERY WAS CARRIED ON AT KANCHANNAGAR, ABOUT FIVE KILOMETRES WEST OF THE WESTERN OF BARDDHAMAN TOWN. BRASS AND BELL-METAL UTENSILS ARE MANUFACTURED AT VARIOUS PLACES IN THE DISTRICT. BONPAS, DAINHAT AND BEGUNKHOLA WERE ONCE NOTED FOR THIS INDUSTRY. THIS INDUSTRY WHICH ONCE EMPLOYED QUITE A LARGE NUMBER OF ARTISANS, HAS DECLINED. OTHER OLD TIME INDUSTRIES WHICH ARE STILL  FOUND IN THE DISTRICT, INCLUDE CUTLERY, CART-MAKING, CLAY IMAGE MAKING, DAIRY, GOLD AND SILVER SMITHY, LIME MAKING, MAT-MAKING, POTTERY, SWEETMEATS, TILE MAKING, LEATHER WORK, CARPENTRY, BLACKSMITHY, OIL CRUSHING, CRUSHING, CANE AND BAMBOO PRODUCTS, GUR MAKING; WOOD AND STONE CARVING, ETC. THE HANDLOOM WEAVING, AN IMPORTANT COTTAGE INDUSTRY OF THE DISTRICT, IS AT PRESENT MAINLY LOCATED AT KATWA, THE KATWA INDUSTRIAL CENTRE BEING THE MAIN HANDLOOM CENTRE OF THE DISTRICT. THE OLD CENTRES OF COTTON WEAVING ARE PURBUSTHALI, KALNA AND MANTESWAR. AS THE INDUSTRY STILL SUPPORTS A GOOD NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE RURAL AREAS, THE STATE GOVERNMENT IS KEEN ON EXTENDING ALL POSSIBLE HELP TO THE ARTISANS WORKING AT THE EXITING HANDLOOM CENTRES.

• AUSHGRAM : RICE MILLS ARE FOUND MOSTLY IN THIS PLACE.

THE NEW BURDWAN…..• BURDWAN CITY, THE HEART OF THE DISTRICT IS ALSO GROWING. WITH AN INCREASING

NUMBER OF PEOPLE OPTING FOR BETTER RESIDENTIAL SPACES AND HIGHER LIVING STANDARDS. THE GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL IS TRYING TO BRING IN MANY NEW PROJECTS TO FACILITATE THE GROWTH OF BURDWAN TOWNSHIP. TWO LARGE DEVELOPMENTS ON A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ARE COMING UP ON THE NH 2 CONNECTING KOLKATA AND DELHI, ON WHICH BURDWAN CITY LIES. ONE OF THESE IS A BUS TERMINUS, WITH RETAIL AND OTHER HOSPITALITY SERVICES. THE OTHER IS A MINI SATELLITE TOWNSHIP AT GODA, BURDWAN. ALSO ON THE HIGHWAY, THIS 250 ACRES SATELLITE TOWNSHIP IS BEING DEVELOPED BY BENGAL SHRACHI HOUSING DEV. LTD. THE BURDWAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS ALSO PLAYING A ROLE IN THESE PROJECTS. SANSKRITI LOKAMANCHA IN A COURT COMPOUND, NEW ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING, AND SPANDAN SPORTS COMPLEX ARE SOME OF THE NEW INITIATIVES OF THE BDA.

• AT PRESENT THE WEST BENGAL GOVERNMENT IS INTERESTED IN PROMOTING TOURISM SO THE FUTURE SEEMS BRIGHT…..

CONNECTIVITYROAD

THE GRAND TRUNK ROAD RUNS ACROSS THE CITY; NH 2 BYPASSES THE CITY. SOUTH BENGAL STATE TRANSPORT CORPORATION AND PRIVATE OPERATORS OPERATE BUSES FROM ESPLANADE AND KARUNAMOYEE IN SALTLAKE. IT TAKES AROUND 2–21⁄2 HOURS. BARDHAMAN IS WELL CONNECTED BY BUSES TO NUMEROUS PLACES ALL AROUND. MOST OF THE BUSES ARRIVE AND LEAVE FROM ALISHA BUS STAND AND NABABHAT BUS STAND. THE DISTRICT HAS AN EXTENSIVE ROAD NETWORK WITH INTER STATE CORRIDORS. THE G.T ROAD (N.H - 2) HAS BEEN UPGRADED WITH FOUR LANES FOR BETTER TRAFFIC MOVEMENT FROM BARAKAR IN THE WEST TO PANAGARH IN THE EAST AND FURTHER BEING EXTENDED UPTO PALSIT AT THE JUNCTION POINT OF DURGAPUR EXPRESS HIGHWAY. THE DURGAPUR EXPRESS HIGHWAY HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED FOR VEHICULAR MOVEMENT AND IT IS NOW EASY TO CONNECT WITH NH- 2, N.H - 34 AND N.H-7 ALSO. ALL KINDS OF ROAD TRANSPORT IS AVAILABLE ON THE BURDWAN HIGHWAY.

AIR

AT PRESENT THE NEAREST AIRPORT IS DUMDUM AIRPORT. A NEW AIRPORT WOULD BE COMING UP SHORTLY AS PER THE WEST BENGAL GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL.

CONNECTIVITYRAIL

THE DISTRICT OF BURDWAN HAS A VERY GOOD RAILWAY NETWORK WITH JUNCTION STATIONS. A GOOD NO. OF IMPORTANT TRAINS PASS THROUGH THE DISTRICT WITH THE DESTINATION OF MANY IMPORTANT TOWNS / CITIES OF THE COUNTRY. THE MAIN HOWRAH-DELHI RAIL TRACK PASSES THROUGH BARDHAMAN, AND THE CITY IS SERVED BY BARDHAMAN RAILWAY STATION. ONE CAN TAKE A LOCAL TRAIN FROM HOWRAH TO REACH IN 2 HRS. ONE CAN ALSO TRAVEL ALONG THE SAHIBGANJ LOOP, WHICH BRANCHES OFF, ONE STATION AFTER BARDHAMAN. THE NARROW GAUGE LINE TO KATWA IS BEING UPGRADED (AS OF 2013) TO BROAD GAUGE WHICH CAN BE USED AS JOY - RIDES WITH IMPROVED COACHES AND DINNING FACILITIES.

SKETCHING OUR OWN FUTUREWHAT ARE THE ATTRACTIONS THAT CAN PROBABLY COME UP ?• ORGANIC GARDENS, WATERPARKS, FARMS• UNIVERSITIES, HOSPITALS, HELIPAD• MARRIAGE HALLS, BUNGALOWS, 5 STAR HOTELS• SHOPPING MALLS, RESTAURANTS, BARS, DISCOS, LOUNGES• GYM, SPORTS CLUBS, YOGA CLUBS• SPA AND AYURVEDA CENTRES, THEATRES, STUDIO• CYCLING, BIKE RIDING, HORSE RIDING, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR GAMES• CRICKET AND FOOTBALL GROUNDS, PARACHUTE AND OTHER ADVENTURE SPORTS ETC.

SO “WHATEVER THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE AND BELIEVE THE MIND CAN ACHIEVE.” LET’S FOCUS ON THIS POINT AND DRAW THE NEW FACE OF TOURISM.