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, see Katwa II (community development block. For 4 The slang term used in India to refer to Muslims, see Katva.

Katwa Katwa
Town
Location of Katwa
Population  (2001)
• Total	71,573
Website	bardhaman.gov.in/

Katwa (Template:Lang-bn) 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.

History

The small town has a five hundred year old history. The city's earliest known name was Indranee Pargana. Later the name was changed to Kantak Nagari ("the city of thorns") and it became the fort area of Murshid Kuli Khan, the 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 of the districts of Burdwan and Nadia.

The house of the maternal uncle of Jagannath and Madhav (Jagai and Madhai, as they are popularly called) is reputed to be here.

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 of the region 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, founded by Dr. Harmon Sinha.

The town has mobile and broadband internet facilities from most major telecommunications companies.

A cause of concern is groundwater arsenic contamination.

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: 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 increased 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. On this day the whole town comes alive with pandals in each and every street. Haragouri para, Kharer bazar, Pratibad club, Aoaz club, Sankhari patti, Samapti club, Young boys club, Desbondhu club, and Chaulpatti club are especially famous for the celebrations of Kartik Larahai 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, and 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 origin of this celebration is said to originate in the mantari of the Burdwan Raja telling the Maharaja of his desire to visit his native palace during the Durga Puja festival. The maharaja refused and Ma Durga subsequently ordered the Maharaja to perform the Puja in his dreams. It has been celebrated in Murundi ever since. Over time this Puja split into two parts; now one can see the present form of it. Katwa Haragouri para organized Durga Puja in 1414 (2007), quite remarkable in this town, because this Puja pandel created a different test of art and artcraft.

Places of Interest

Historical

• The fort of Shah Alam: A building of Archeological interest built in the early 18th century by Murshidkuli Khan, the then Subedar of Bengal. (Katwa Municipality)
• Uddhanpur: The village resembles a fort and it is believed that the famous Naihati Fort was situated here. It is famous for its 500 year old fair. (Ketugram -II Block)
• The village of Singi: The native village of Kashiram Das, the noted Bengali translator of the Mahabharata. (Katwa-II Block)
• Sher Afbar Gark: The remains of the fort of Sher Afgan. Additionally, a huge lake is situated nearby. (Andal Block)

Religious

• Sree Gouranga Temple: A Baishnab Temple believed to have been visited by Sri Chaitanya and Keshav Bharati. The footprints of Sri Chaitanya and his Guru Keshav Bharati can be seen in the left side of the temple. The temple is visited by many followers during the famous Gadadhar Utsab (a Vaishnav festival) in November. A 500-year old tree stands inside the courtyard of the temple, under which Sri Chaitanya is believed to have had his head shaven by the barber at a part of his Sanyaas. (Katwa Municipality)
• Madhaitala: The Ashrama is believed to have been visited by Jagai & Madhai, two disciples of Sree Chaitanya, and the Akhanda Kirtana has reportedly been there for more than 50 years. It is famous for the 24/7 "Harinaam Sankirtan" that happens there. A large number of devotees from the Vaisnavite communities visit the temple regularly. (Katwa Municipality)
• The Khepakali Mata Mandir: A celebrated temple of goddess Kali, it is famous for its gorgeous Kali Puja. The adjoining temples of Lord Shiva and goddess Durga are also notable. Thousands of poor are fed every year here after the annual Kali Puja.
• Sreekhanda: A center of Vaishnav culture, famous for congregation of Bauls every Baisakh, the first month of the Bengali calender. A famous temple of Khandeswari, the presiding Goddess of the village also exists. (Katwa Municipality)
• Agradweep: Associated with Gouranga Mahaprabhu and famous for its Gopinath temple. (Katwa Municipality) JAJIGRAM Srinibas, believed to be the second incarnation of Chaitanya is said to have lived here. The relics of his Sadhanpith can still be seen. This temple houses several wooden and stone idols. (Katwa Municipality)
• Kshetrapal: A big banyan tree on the Dainhat Krishnanagar Road worshiped 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: The temple of Attahas, the Goddess of Sakti cult, also known as Fullora Attahas. It s believed to be one of the 51 SATIPITHS. It is said that the upper lip of Goddess Sati, the incarnation of Goddess Durga, had fallen here. (Ketugram-II Block)
• Ghoshesware temple: A famous temple of Lord Shiva, located beside Ghoshwaser Tala.
• Maa Amariya temple: This is a famous temple at Panuhat.
• Vivekananda Pathchakra: There is a private branch of Ramakrishna Math & Mission. Different types of materials such as books and photos related to Ramkrishna Mission are sold here.

People of Interest

Sayambhu Sinha was a leader of the Indian National Congress. Rabindra Nath Chaterjee, the regional head of Indian National Congress and the ex-municipal chairperson, is regarded as the founder of New Katwa. Dr. Harmohan Singa is a well-known doctor and social worker of the region. He established Anandanikatan, a hospital for the mentally retarded patients.

Education

High schools

• Sudpur High School(HS). Established in 1914; Arinmoy Chatterjee is the Head of the Institution now.
• Katwa Kashiram Das Institution. Established in 1857; Named after the writer who translated the holy script The Mahabharata to Bengali. It has been one of the more prestigious boys' schools in the district. Jagadish Chandra Bose was once a student here.
• 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

File:Collegehistory.jpg

Katwa Mahavidyalaya

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

See also

• Katwa (Lok Sabha constituency)