Kalna, India

This article is about the municipality in West Bengal, India. For its namesake subdivision, see Kalna subdivision. For its namesake community development block, see Kalna I (community development block). For another namesake community development block, see Kalna II (community development block).
Kalna
কালনা
Town

Kalna Temple Complex
Kalna

Location in West Bengal, India

Coordinates: 23°13′N 88°22′E / 23.22°N 88.37°E / 23.22; 88.37Coordinates: 23°13′N 88°22′E / 23.22°N 88.37°E / 23.22; 88.37
Country  India
State West Bengal
District Bardhaman
Government
 • MLA Biswajit Kundu
Area
 • Total 6.9 km2 (2.7 sq mi)
Elevation 11 m (36 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 56,722
 • Density 8,221/km2 (21,290/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Bengali, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 713409
Telephone code 91 3454
Sex ratio 961 ♀/1000♂
Literacy 84.4%
Lok Sabha constituency Bardhaman Purba
Vidhan Sabha constituency Kalna
Website www.ambikakalna.com

Ambika Kalna or simply Kalna is a town, a municipality and headquarters of Kalna subdivision in Bardhaman District in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is situated on the western bank of the Bhāgirathi. The town is more popularly known as Ambika Kalna, named after a very popular deity, Goddess Kali, Maa Ambika. It has numerous historical monuments such as the Rajbari (the palace) and the 108 Shiva temples. The town of Kalna, is 60 kilometres (37 mi) from Bardhaman, the district headquarters.

Geography

Kalna is located at 23°13′N 88°22′E / 23.22°N 88.37°E / 23.22; 88.37.[1] It has an average elevation of 11 metres (36 ft).

The town can be accessed by rail or road. By rail it is connected on the loop line route from Howrah towards Katwa. Ambika Kalna, 81 km from Howrah, is the main railway station. There are several local trains as well as express trains, on the route and almost all of them stop at the Ambika Kalna rail station. By road, the town can be accessed from Krishnanagar, Katwa, Bandel, Pandua, Bainchi, Memari and Barddhaman.

Though part of the Burdwan district of West Bengal, it is located near the border with Nadia and Hooghly District, and is very near to the famous pilgrimage place called Nabadwip and Mayapur, famous for the centre of ISKCON.

Kalna is located on the agriculturally rich alluvial plains between the Bhagirathi, Ajay and Damodar rivers.[2] Temperatures in this region varies from 17–18 °C in winter to 30-32 °C in summer.[3]

Gram panchayats under Kalna I Panchayat Samiti are: Kankuria, Begpur, Sultanpur, Baghnapara, Hat Kalna, Krishnadevpur, Dhatrigram, Nandai and Atghoria-Simlon.[4]

Gram panchayats under Kalna II Panchayat Samiti are: Baradhamas, Baidyapur, Anukhal, Badla, Pindira, Kalyanpur, Satgachi and Akalpoush.[4]

Demographics

As of 2011 India census,[5] Kalna had a population of 56,722. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Kalna has an average literacy rate of 84.4%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 90.1%, and female literacy is 78.4%. In Kalna, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Steady flow of refugees from East Pakistan swelled the population of the area in the fifties.[6]

Attractions

Kalna - The Temple City
Pratapeswar Temple
Lalji Temple
Siddheswari Kalibari
Pathuria Mahal Ghat

Popularised by the sage Bhaba Pagla, the temple of Debi Bhabani holds a special puja on the last Saturday of the Bengali month of Baisakh. Close to it is Sri Gauranga Mandir. The temple complex houses Sri Chaitanya's manuscripts and personal belongings. A major landmark is the Siddheshwari Temple. It is dedicated to Debi Ambika, and it is after her that Kalna is also known as Ambika Kalna.

A major attraction is the Nava Kailash or 108 Shiv Mandirs. Built in 1809, the temples are constructed in two circles. One consists of 74 temples while the other circle has 34. The former has white marble and black stone shivlingas, while the latter has only white marble ones. Due to its ingenious planning, all the shivlingas can be seen from the centre of the temple complex.

The Krishna Chandra Mandir (A.D. 1751-1752), with its 25 steeples, is another popular landmark. Scenes from the epics are depicted on its terracotta walls. Doors remain closed from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.Worthwhile mentioning are also Lalji Mandir (A.D.1739) with 25 steeples and Pratapeshvara Mandir (A.D.1849)of the rekha style.

Maijir Bari was established in 1752 A.D and has the Shyamchand Radharani Mondir. It has preserved a tradition of nearly 300 years and even today festivals like Dol Purnima, Rath yatra, Jhulan Purnima, Annakot and Rash are celebrated every year involving the people of the region irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

Projapoti Bari is also quite well known. This landmark house has a huge butterfly emblem on top. Hemanta Banerjee who inherited the house from his father also owned Sur-O-Sathi. Apurba Banerjee, brother of Hemanta Banerjee, started Kali puja in 1947.

Gopalbari Mandir consisting with 25 monuments signifies a perfect sculpture. On the walls of this Temples many Terracotta are ornamented. There is an image of copulation engraved here. A hall adjacent to the Temple for devotional dancing and musical performances was erected. It is an indication of traditional sculpture, located in Bhaduri Para.

In the year 688 A.D, Siddheswari Kali Mandir was established by Rishi-Amburish. First time the Goddess was worshipped through the ritual of earthen-pot (ghatt). The ghatt sticks to a stone winnowing tray. This auspicious image is made of a single Neem log. This image represents the Bamakali Idol. The responsibility of this Goddess was shouldered on the part of -1.Sri Taraprassana Adhikari, 2. Kaliprassana Adhikari and now, the 7th generation persionality Sri Sonatan Adhikari and Gopal Adhikari are the priest of this Temple. Long ago scarifies of human to the altar of the Temple was in vogue. But at present he-goat, sugarcane, gourd etc. instead of human. The Goddess is worshipped during the new moon in the month of Kartik.

Anantabasudev Mandir is situated at Shyamrai Para. It is about 250 years old. His Honour, Maharaj Bahktipromode Puri Goswami had renovated this Temple about 60 years back. Now Maharaj's nephews, nieces and their husband have got the responsibility of looking after it. About 250 years back, his Highness Maharaj of Burdwan founded this Temple.

In the past Pathuria Mahal Ghat was used for the purpose of Ferry-ghat. Now it has got its identity as an auspicious bathing-ghat in the name of Late Naresh Chandra Kumar, an extraordinary personality and donor of Kalna. It is located at Pathuriyamahal, Kalna.

Recently, Kalna Porjoton Utsab is being organized on every winter (2nd Week of January). Since 2014, the entire Rajbari Temple Complex has been illuminated. Ras Manch is the main attraction there at evening.

Festivals

Saraswati Puja Pandal

Saraswati Puja is the most attention drawing festival of Kalna, which attracts people from all part of the state. Large decorated pandals, illumination through excellent lighting and beautiful artistic idols make the crowd to enjoy and pay homage to Goddess Saraswati.

Worth-mention festival of Kalna is of-course Mahishmardini Puja. Numbers of people gather on this auspicious occasion from all corners of Kalna Subdivision and even from out side. The puja lasts for 4 days. A voluminous fair takes place encircling the religious festival, covering almost half of the area of Kalna. Merry-go-rounds, Toy Train, Puppet Show, Magic Show etc. are the special attractions of the fair.

Education

Kalna College, one of the oldest colleges under the University of Burdwan, is founded in 1943. It is accredited B++ by NAAC. Kalna Polytechnic is established in 2000. Besides, there are several Higher Secondary and Secondary schools. Some reputed schools in Kalna

Kalna College

Economy

Kalna is famous for rice, food grains, potato and jute production. Agriculture based economy is flourishing here. There are several rice mills and cold storages here. After partition of India, many skilled weavers of Dhaka came and settled in West Bengal around Shantipur in Nadia district and Kalna of Bardhaman district, both traditionally renowned centres for hand-woven fabrics. With government encouragement and support, the talented weavers soon revived their ancestral occupation and the art of exquisite weaving once again flourished. Today, finely woven feather-touch textiles and saris in exotic designs and colours are being produced in the vast weaving belt of Shantipur, Phulia, Samudragarh, Dhatrigram and Ambika Kalna – each centre producing superb fabrics in its own unique weaving style. Kalna is famous for tangails and gorgeous jamdanis. The produce is marketed through co-operatives and various undertakings. Rakhi and Bindi are manufactured at Kalna. In fine it is one sort of cottage industry here. Many people specially women are placed at the cottage industry and earn their living.However the main business related to agriculture.Several banks like SBI, UBI, UCO, ICICI, Axis, HDFC, BOI, OBC, PNB having their branches here at Kalna.

Transport

Being situated at the junction of three districts(Bardhaman, Hooghly and Nadia), Kalna has a well-developed transportation network. The main mode of local transport is cycle rikshaw and auto rikshaw.

Rail

Though main railway station is Ambika Kalna, the northern part of the city can also be accessed through Baghnapara station. Ambika Kalna is 42 km and Baghnapara is 46 km from Bandel on the Bandel-Katwa Branch Line.[7] There are many local trains(EMU) and a few express and passenger trains from Howrah and Sealdah. From Howrah, it takes around 2 hours to reach Kalna by local trains.

Train List

Kalna - Road and Rail Map
Up Time Train Name Dn Time
15959 19:02 Howrah-Dibrugarh Kamrup Express 15960 03:28
15643 09:04 Puri-Kamakhya Express 15644 19:01
13465 16:34 Howrah-Malda Town Intercity Express 13466 11:02
13141 15:31 Sealdah-New Alipurduar Teesta Torsha Express 13142 02:11
13163 22:00 Sealdah-Saharsha Hatey Bazarey Express 13164 04:11
13145 21:26 Kolkata-Radhikapur Express 13146 02:46
53003 23:02 Howrah-Malda Town Fast Passenger 53004 00:35
53001 17:58 Howrah-Azimganj Passenger 53002 00:15

Road

Kalna is linked to important cities of South Bengal by road. The main bus stand is situated beside the STKK Road. Many private local and long route express buses are available. There is a Govt. bus depot of South Bengal State Transport Corporation(SBSTC). Long distance express buses, connecting various cities(Asansol, Durgapur, Bardhaman, Bankura, Dumka, Digha, Malda, Bishnupur, Balurghat etc.) of West Bengal and Jharkhand, are in service from SBSTC bus depot. Bus services are available for Krishnanagar, Shantipur, Phulia and Ranaghat from Kalna Ghat bus stand on the bank of Bhagirathi River.

Health

Kalna Subdivisional Hospital is a good support to the people belonging to all corners of the Kalna Subdivision. The hospital is established in 1971. It is on the STKK Road spreading over 13.53-acre (54,800 m2) and having total bed capacity of 300. There is a reputed eye hospital(Lions Eye Hospital), veterinary hospital and several nursing homes in the city. Kalna is one of the areas of Bardhaman district which is affected by arsenic contamination of ground water.[8]

Temples at Kalna

References

  1. ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kalna
  2. ↑ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, Bardhaman Jelar Itihas O Lok Sanskriti (History and Folk lore of Bardhaman District.), (Bengali) , Vol I, p. 15, Radical Impression. ISBN 81-85459-36-3
  3. ↑ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, p. 19
  4. 1 2 "List of Pradhan of Gram Panchayats, District: Bardhaman" (PDF). Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 2009-08-29.
  5. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  6. ↑ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, Bardhaman Jelar Itihas O Lok Sanskriti (History and Folk lore of Bardhaman District.), (Bengali), Vol I, p57, Radical Impression. ISBN 81-85459-36-3
  7. ↑ Railway local time table
  8. ↑ Arsenic contamination

External links

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