Katwa

This article is about the municipality in West Bengal, India. For 1 its namesake subdivision, see Katwa subdivision. For 2 its namesake community development block, see Katwa I (community development block). For 3 Another namesake community development block, see Katwa II (community development block).

Katwa
—  town  —
Katwa Location of Katwa in West Bengal and India
Coordinates	23°39′N 88°08′E
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District(s)	Bardhaman
MP	Dr. Anup Saha
MLA	Rabindra Nath Chatterjee
Parliamentary constituency	Bardhaman Purba
Assembly constituency	Katwa
Population • Density	71,573 (2001) • 8,391 /km2 (21,733 /sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	8.53 square kilometres (3.29 sq mi) • 21 metres (69 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 713130 • Telephone • +91 3453
Website	bardhaman.gov.in/

Katwa (Bengali: কাটোয়া) 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.^{[citation needed]}

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 Bengal. Katwa was invaded by the Bargis (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.

This was the place of Jagi & Madhi meternal house.

Geography

Katwa is located at 23.65°N 88.13°E / 23.65; 88.13. It has an average elevation of 21 m (69 ft). It is situated between the Ajay River 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 panchayats under Katwa I Panchayat Samiti are: Koshigram, Goai, Srikhanda, Khajurdihi, Sudpur, Karajgram, Alampur, Gidhagram and Saragram.

Gram panchayats 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.

A mental hospital is situated at Kahguti-Katwa and it is founder by famous social worker and doctor Dr. Harmon Sinha.

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

As of 2001 India census, 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.

Culture

Festivals

Durga Puja 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 pandals in each and every street.haragouri para,kharer bazar,pratibad,aoaz,sankhari patti,samapti,yung boys clib,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,atuhat para (Shiv Tala),Barowari Tala, Muhuri 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.

Places of Interest

Religious & Cultural

SHAH ALAM’S DURGA A building of Archeological interest built in the early 18th century by Murshidkuli Khan, the then Subedar of Bengal. (Katwa Municipality)

Sight seeing

UDDHARANRUR 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)

Religious

SREE GOURANGA MANDIR 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) "GHOSHWASER SHIV TEMPLE" a famous shiv temple, it is place at ghoshwaser tala. "MAA AMARIYA" temple, this is famous temple at panuhat. "VIVEKANANDA PATHCHKARA" there is a private branch of Ramakrishna Math & Mission, it is place at ghuti para, all types of ramakrishna math meterila and book are avilable here.

People of Interest

Sayambhu Sinha, the congressional leader, was born here. Rabindra Nath Chaterjee, a famous leader and founder of New Katwa, he is a ideal person. Writen by Prithwis Das.the founder of katwa is Dr.Haromohan sing doctor and social servant and he is all so famous leader of left front.He established anandanikatan a special hospital for mental person.

Education

High schools

• Sudpur High School(HS). Established in 1914, good quality education is offered here. Arinmoy Chatterjee, the man of responsibility, is the Head of the Institution now.
• 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
• 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

Colleges

Katwa Mahavidyalaya

Katwa Mahavidyalaya [1], Katwa Teachers' Training College [2], Bengal Institute of Technology(BIT) [3]

See also

• Katwa (Lok Sabha constituency)