Katwa
Encyclopedia
Katwa is the head quarters of Katwa subdivision
in the district of Bardhaman
, West Bengal
. The area has a rural charm and natural beauty, but many trading and other business activities has made it clumsy and congested. It is mostly a middle class residential area.
. Katwa was invaded by the Bargi
s (break-away Maratha groups) several times.
This was the place where Sri Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu got sannyasa
from Kesava Bharati
. Since then, this small township has been a sacred place for the Vaishnavites.
and the Hooghly River and so bounded by water to the east, west and north. It is at the eastern end of the district and is 150 km from Kolkata
and 56 km from Barddhaman. Recently the government announced the Broad-gaged Railway Line between Burdwan and Katwa.
The weather and climate is similar to the rest of Gangetic West Bengal, with six distinct seasons.
Gram panchayat
s under Katwa I Panchayat Samiti are: Koshigram, Goai, Srikhanda, Khajurdihi, Sudpur, Karajgram, Alampur, Gidhagram and Saragram.
Gram panchayat
s under Katwa II Panchayat Samiti are: Karui, Palsona, Jagadannadapur, Gazipur, Agradwip, Sribati and Singhee.
Recently the Minister for Railways inaugurated the Broad Gauge Line for Katwa Burdwan section. Many investments are being planned for this soon-to-be industrial hub. The Bengal government recently started a mega power project at Katwa.
Every day, Katwa is visited by hundreds of people from surrounding villages, mainly for the medical services available. The late Dr. Sanat Kumar Konar, Late Dr. S. K. Roy, the late Dr. Basanta Kumar Bandhopadhay and the late Dr. Nandagopal Chattopadhaya were pioneers for professional medical services in the town.
The town has mobile and broadband internet facilities from most of the major telecommunications companies.
A cause of concern is arsenic contamination of ground water.
, Katwa had a population of 71,573, 51% male and 49% female. The average literacy rate is 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 69%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Katwa has a total area of 8.53 km² with a population density of 8,391/km².
A steady flow of refugees from East Pakistan swelled the population of the area in the fifties.
is widely celebrated here, but Katwa is more famous for its traditional Kartik Puja also known as Kartik Larahai. The whole town comes alive with pandal
s in each and every street.haragouri para,kharer bazar,pratibad,aoaz,sankhari patti,desbondhu,chaulpatti, etc The celebration is not restricted to the townsfolk, and people come in large numbers from neighbouring villages. The atmosphere of the entire city rivals that of a carnival. Some famous Durga Pujas have been performed by families for more than 100 years, such as ghosh bari,goal para(banku bihari ghosh),Datta-bari, Mallick-bari and Hari-bari of Katwa. The Khepa Kali Puja is also widely known and attended by people from nearby villages.The durga puja at ghosh bari(banku bihari ghosh)is a 108 years old puja in katwa.Now this puja is mainly organised by chandra sekhar ghosh,grandson of banku bihari ghosh.
The traditional way of celebrating Durga Puja can still be seen in Murundi, a small village 16 km from Katwa. This Puja is organized by the Singha (Sinha) family (Mrityunjay Sinha, Bankim Chandra Sinha). One could see the two Durga temples standing side by side at the entrance of the village. The celebration is said to be about 250 years old. The story of this celebration is that the mantari of the Burdwan Raja once told the Maharaja of his desire to visit his native palace during the Durga Puja festival. The maharaja refused and then Ma Durga ordered the Maharaja in his dreams to perform the Puja. It has been celebrated in Murundi ever since. Over time this Puja split into two parts and now one can see the present form of it. Katwa Haragouri para organized Durga Puja since 1414 (2007) which is quite remarkable at the town. Because this Puja pandel created a different test of art and artcraft.
A building of Archeological interest built in the early 18th century by Murshidkuli Khan, the then Subedar of Bengal. (Katwa Municipality)
The village resembles a fort and it is believed that the famous Naihati Fort was situated here. Noted for its 500 year old fair.(Ketugram -II Block)
Historical SINGI
The native village of Kasiram Das the noted Bengali translator of the Mahabharata. (Katwa-II Block) Sher Afbar Gark
The remains of the fort of Sher Afgan and a huge lake can be seen here. (Andal Block)
A Baishnab Temple believed to have been visited by Sri Chaitanya and Keshab Bharati.(Katwa Municipality)
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. (Katwa Municipality)
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.
(Katwa Municipality) AGRWADIP
Associated with Gouranga Mahaprabhu and famous for its Gopinath temple. (Katwa Municipality) 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. (Katwa Municipality) KSHCTRAPAL
A big banyan tree on the Dainhat Krishnanagar Road worshipped for centuries by people from far and near. (Katwa -II Block)
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. (Ketugram-I Block)
ATTAHAS
A temple of Attahas, the Goddess of Sakti cult, also known as Fullora Attahas. Believed to be one of the 51 SATIPITHS. (Ketugram-II Block)
Katwa subdivision
Katwa subdivision is a subdivision of the Bardhaman district in the state of West Bengal, India. It consists of Katwa municipality, Dainhat municipality and five community development blocks: Katwa–I, Katwa–II, Ketugram–I, Ketugram–II and Mongolkote. The five blocks contain...
in the district of Bardhaman
Bardhaman
'Bardhaman or Burdwan , is a city of West Bengal state in eastern India. It is the headquarters of Bardhaman District....
, West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
. The area has a rural charm and natural beauty, but many trading and other business activities has made it clumsy and congested. It is mostly a middle class residential area.
History
The small town has a five hundred year history. The city's earliest known name was Indranee Pargana. Later the name was changed to Kantak Nagari and it became the fort area of Murshid Kuli Khan, Nawab of BengalNawab of Bengal
The Nawabs of Bengal were the hereditary nazims or subadars of the subah of Bengal during the Mughal rule and the de-facto rulers of the province.-History:...
. Katwa was invaded by the Bargi
Bargi
Bargis indulged in large scale plundering of the countryside dominated western part of Bengal for about ten years . Bargi invasions took place almost as an annual event.- Etymology :...
s (break-away Maratha groups) several times.
This was the place where Sri Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu got sannyasa
Sannyasa
Sannyasa is the order of life of the renouncer within the Hindu scheme of āśramas, or life stages. It is considered the topmost and final stage of the ashram systems and is traditionally taken by men or women at or beyond the age of fifty years old or by young monks who wish to renounce worldly...
from Kesava Bharati
Kesava Bharati
Sri Kesava Bharati was a member of the Sankarite renunciate order.He bestowed sannyasa on Chaitanya Mahaprabhu when the latter requested it.In the Sri-Gaura-Ganoddesa-dipika of Kavi-karnapura, Kesava Bharati is listed as the reincarnation of Sandipani Muni....
. Since then, this small township has been a sacred place for the Vaishnavites.
Geography
Katwa is located at 23.65°N 88.13°E. It has an average elevation of 21 m (68.9 ft). It is situated between the Ajay RiverAjay River
The Ajay River is a major river in Jharkhand and West Bengal. The word “Ajay” means “not conquered”.-Geography:The Ajay River originates on a small hill about 300 metres high, south west of Munger in Bihar. It then flows through Jharkhand and enters West Bengal at Simjuri, near Chittaranjan...
and the Hooghly River and so bounded by water to the east, west and north. It is at the eastern end of the district and is 150 km from Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
and 56 km from Barddhaman. Recently the government announced the Broad-gaged Railway Line between Burdwan and Katwa.
The weather and climate is similar to the rest of Gangetic West Bengal, with six distinct seasons.
Gram panchayat
Gram panchayat
Gram panchayats are local self-governments at the village or small town level in India. As of 2002 there were about 265,000 gram panchayats in India. The gram panchayat is the foundation of the Panchayat System. A gram panchayat can be set up in villages with minimum population of 300...
s under Katwa I Panchayat Samiti are: Koshigram, Goai, Srikhanda, Khajurdihi, Sudpur, Karajgram, Alampur, Gidhagram and Saragram.
Gram panchayat
Gram panchayat
Gram panchayats are local self-governments at the village or small town level in India. As of 2002 there were about 265,000 gram panchayats in India. The gram panchayat is the foundation of the Panchayat System. A gram panchayat can be set up in villages with minimum population of 300...
s under Katwa II Panchayat Samiti are: Karui, Palsona, Jagadannadapur, Gazipur, Agradwip, Sribati and Singhee.
Economy
Katwa's economy has grown significantly in recent years. The traditional backbone of the economy was agriculture, but the town has since developed into a major trading hub, with booming retail and service sectors. Katwa is also a transit point for agricultural products grown in nearby villages.Recently the Minister for Railways inaugurated the Broad Gauge Line for Katwa Burdwan section. Many investments are being planned for this soon-to-be industrial hub. The Bengal government recently started a mega power project at Katwa.
Every day, Katwa is visited by hundreds of people from surrounding villages, mainly for the medical services available. The late Dr. Sanat Kumar Konar, Late Dr. S. K. Roy, the late Dr. Basanta Kumar Bandhopadhay and the late Dr. Nandagopal Chattopadhaya were pioneers for professional medical services in the town.
The town has mobile and broadband internet facilities from most of the major telecommunications companies.
A cause of concern is arsenic contamination of ground water.
Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Katwa had a population of 71,573, 51% male and 49% female. The average literacy rate is 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 69%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Katwa has a total area of 8.53 km² with a population density of 8,391/km².
A steady flow of refugees from East Pakistan swelled the population of the area in the fifties.
Festivals
Durga PujaDurga Puja
Durga puja ; দুর্গা পূজা,ଦୁର୍ଗା ପୂଜା,‘Worship of Durga’), also referred to as Durgotsava ; , is an annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and...
is widely celebrated here, but Katwa is more famous for its traditional Kartik Puja also known as Kartik Larahai. The whole town comes alive with pandal
Pandal
A pandal is fabricated structure, either temporary or permanent, in a religious ceremonies including weddings.It is derived from Tamil...
s in each and every street.haragouri para,kharer bazar,pratibad,aoaz,sankhari patti,desbondhu,chaulpatti, etc The celebration is not restricted to the townsfolk, and people come in large numbers from neighbouring villages. The atmosphere of the entire city rivals that of a carnival. Some famous Durga Pujas have been performed by families for more than 100 years, such as ghosh bari,goal para(banku bihari ghosh),Datta-bari, Mallick-bari and Hari-bari of Katwa. The Khepa Kali Puja is also widely known and attended by people from nearby villages.The durga puja at ghosh bari(banku bihari ghosh)is a 108 years old puja in katwa.Now this puja is mainly organised by chandra sekhar ghosh,grandson of banku bihari ghosh.
The traditional way of celebrating Durga Puja can still be seen in Murundi, a small village 16 km from Katwa. This Puja is organized by the Singha (Sinha) family (Mrityunjay Sinha, Bankim Chandra Sinha). One could see the two Durga temples standing side by side at the entrance of the village. The celebration is said to be about 250 years old. The story of this celebration is that the mantari of the Burdwan Raja once told the Maharaja of his desire to visit his native palace during the Durga Puja festival. The maharaja refused and then Ma Durga ordered the Maharaja in his dreams to perform the Puja. It has been celebrated in Murundi ever since. Over time this Puja split into two parts and now one can see the present form of it. Katwa Haragouri para organized Durga Puja since 1414 (2007) which is quite remarkable at the town. Because this Puja pandel created a different test of art and artcraft.
Religious & Cultural
SHAH ALAM’S DURGAA building of Archeological interest built in the early 18th century by Murshidkuli Khan, the then Subedar of Bengal. (Katwa Municipality)
Sight seeing
UDDHARANRURThe village resembles a fort and it is believed that the famous Naihati Fort was situated here. Noted for its 500 year old fair.(Ketugram -II Block)
Historical SINGI
The native village of Kasiram Das the noted Bengali translator of the Mahabharata. (Katwa-II Block) Sher Afbar Gark
The remains of the fort of Sher Afgan and a huge lake can be seen here. (Andal Block)
Religious
SREE GOURANGA MANDIRA Baishnab Temple believed to have been visited by Sri Chaitanya and Keshab Bharati.(Katwa Municipality)
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. (Katwa Municipality)
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.
(Katwa Municipality) AGRWADIP
Associated with Gouranga Mahaprabhu and famous for its Gopinath temple. (Katwa Municipality) 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. (Katwa Municipality) KSHCTRAPAL
A big banyan tree on the Dainhat Krishnanagar Road worshipped for centuries by people from far and near. (Katwa -II Block)
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. (Ketugram-I Block)
ATTAHAS
A temple of Attahas, the Goddess of Sakti cult, also known as Fullora Attahas. Believed to be one of the 51 SATIPITHS. (Ketugram-II Block)
High schools
- Katwa Kashiram Das Institution. Established in 1857, and named after the writer who translated the holy script The Mahabharata to Bengali. It has been one of the most famous boys' schools in the district. Jagadish Chandra Bose was once a student of this school.
- Katwa Durga Dasi Chowdhurani Girls' High School
- Katwa Bharati Bhavan High School
- Katwa Ramkrishna High School
- Katwa Balika Vidalaya
- Kashiswari Girls school
- Katwa Janakilal Siksha Sadan
- Holy Angels' School
- St. Joseph School
- Kishyaloy
- Ananda Marg
- Shishu Niketan