KRISHNANAGAR

Krishnanagar is a city and administrative/district headquarters of Nadia district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Krishnanagar is situated on the southern banks of the Jalangi River. Krishnanagar is claimed to be named after zamindar Krishna Chandra Rai (1728 – 1782). The Rajbari built here during the reign of zamindar Krishna Chandra Roy is a prominent place of tourist attraction though the remnants of the past glory have been eroded and only a dilapidated structure of the exquisite places with carving on its inner walls exists today.

History:

Krishnanagar municipality was established in the year 1864.This place got its name after the famous king called Raja Krishnachandra who resided in this region. He was responsible for the growth of creative arts and crafts which got acclamation from the entire state of West Bengal.

There are some historically famous places of interest in Krishnanagar such as the Rajbari or the residence of Raja Krishnachandra. The main feature of this Rajbari is the Goddess Durga temple which is situated in the courtyard of the royal palace. This is the time when the common people can actually witness the grandeur of the royalties.

Flora and Fauna:

Since Krishnanagar can also be termed as situated on suburbs of River Ganges coconut tree is found everywhere. Other common trees are Neem, Peepal, Banyan, Mango, Litchi that grow naturally. But recent urbanization has introduced Laburnam, Red Cotton, and other trees by the road side. People take lot of interest in planting Fruit Trees.

Bethuadahari Forest: There are various types of grasses that grow naturally on the free ground, as this land was perfect for agriculture before construction work took over. Farming was in full swing, Sugarcane, wheat and vegetables were grown in great extent along with Mango, Jamun and Guavas.

You can record a great number of birds in Krishnanagar, sparrows, crows, mynahs, bulbuls, kingfishers, Prinias, bushchats can be spotted anywhere, however with the careful eyes one can also see, Barbets, Munias, and wheateaters. Bethuadahari Forest is once such place to go and do bird watching and it has great number of birds varying from Cormorants, to Jacanaa and Seagulls. More than 55 species are always present and around the same number is seasonal and can be spotted from Sep-Nov. Village areas are not far of for nature viewing.

Culture:

Krishnanagar is an important centre for culture and literature. It counts literary figures such as Bharat Chandra, Ramprasad Sen, Dwijendralal Ray and Narayan Sanyal among many others. There is a vibrant culture of literary exchange among small groups of writers and poets born here are Sudhir Chakraborty( BOUL FAKIR KATHA),Debdas Acharya and Subodh Sarkar.But some creative figures too honoured this ancient place and are those-Subhash Mukhopadhyay,Sudhir Chakraborty, Sanjib Pramanik,Debdas Acharya.There is also a strong tradition of stage acting.

The second place of interest in Krishnanagar is the famous area called Ghurni which is the neighborhood of the clay artists. Raja Krishnachandra invited a few of the families of these clay artists in this region. Tourists are greatly interested to see these gifted artists working in their studios. The artists produce exact replica of any object we have ever seen by our eyes. Open studios and shops of the artists comprise an important attraction for tourists. It is said that initially it was Raja Krishnachandra who had settled a few families of talented clay artists in the area. Since then the colony has grown and flourished. Some of the artists have recently worked with other media as well. Goutam Pal is among those creative ones. Jagaddhatri Puja is celebrated with great grandeur in Krishnanagar, when lightings from the town of Chandannagar are brought.

Notable Personalities:

Dwijendralal Roy (1863-1913) poet, playwright and lyricist, was born on 19 July 1863 at Krishnanagar in Nadia district, where his father, kartikeya chandra roy, was the dewan. His mother, Prasannamayee Devi, was a descendant of Adwaita Prabhu. Dwijendralal graduated in arts from Hughli College in 1883 and obtained his MA degree in English from Presidency College a year later. In 1905 Dwijendralal established a literary society, Purnima Milon, in Kolkata. He became the editor of the monthly bharatvarsa in 1913. Dwijendralal had a literary bent of mind and started writing poems while still in his teens. While still a student he wrote Aryagatha (part 1, 1882). During his stay in England he wrote The Lyrics of Ind in 1886. Among his other books are collections of poems and songs: Aryagatha (part 2, 1894), Hasir Gan (1900), Mandra (1902), Alekhya (1907), and Triveni (1912). His sketches and satires include Ekghare (1889), Samaj Bibhrat O Kalki Avatar (1895), Tryahasparsha (1900), Prayashchitta (1902), and Punarjanma (1911). He also wrote plays, many of which are included in university syllabi. Among his mythical plays are Pasani (1900), Sita (1908) and Visma (1914). His social plays include Parapare (1912) and Banganari (1916). He also wrote a number of historical plays: Tarabai (1903), Rana Pratapsingh (1905), Mebar Patan (1908), Nurjahan (1908), Sajahan (1909) and Chandragupta (1911). Most of his plays were successfully staged in Kolkata and elsewhere. He is specially remembered for his historical plays. He was also a well-known composer of modern songs; dwijendragiti still form a regular feature of radio and television programmes. He died on17 May 1913 in Kolkata. Meghnad Badh Kabya was written by Michel Madhusudan Dutta sitting at Krishnanagar Collegiate School formerly the house of barrister Monmohan Ghosh.

Ramtanu Lahiri (1813-1898) was a Young Bengal leader, a renowned teacher and a social reformer. Peary Chand Mitra wrote about him, “There are few persons in whom the milk of kindness flows so abundantly. He was never wanting in appreciation of what was right, and in his sympathy with the advanced principles.” Sivanath Sastri’sRamtanu Lahiri O Tatkalin Bangasamj, published in 1903, was not only his biography but also an overview of Bengali society of the era, “a remarkable social document on the period of the Bengal Renaissance.” It is still widely read and used as reference material for the period. An English version A History of Renaissance in Bengal - Ramtanu Lahiri: Brahman and Reformer, edited by Sir Roper Lethbridge, was published in London in 1907.

Bijoylal Chattopadhyaya was born in 1898. Bijoylal Chattopadhyay, started setting the local community on the path of social reforms. Since then the name has been changed to Harijan Palli. In independent India’s first election in 1951Bijoylal Chattopadhyay of Congress won the Krishnagar seat.

Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay(12 September 1894 - 1 November 1950) last name also rendered as Banerjee or Banerji was a Bengali novelist and writer. His most well known book is the autobiographical novel, Pather Panchali (The Song of the Road), incorporated (along with Aparajito , the sequel) into the memorable Apu Trilogy films by Satyajit Ray.

Jagadananda Roy (1869-1933) Jagadananda Roy was born in a landed aristocratic family of Krishnanagar, Nadia. He taught in a local missionary school for some time. His flair for writing on scientific matters in a simple and lucid style brought him into contact with Rabindranath who was then the editor of Sadhana. Rabindranath found these writings very attractive and when he found that Jagadananda was in dire straits, he offered him a job on his estate. Knowing that this work was not appropriate for someone like Jagadananda, he also asked him to teach his children. When the Brahmacharyasrama was founded, he brought Jagadananda over to Santiniketan as a teacher. He was the first Sarvadhyaksha of the school. A dedicated teacher, he taught continuously till his retirement in 1932, after which he continued to take Mathematics classes voluntarily. He wrote a number of books on popular science, his mission being to propagate scientific truth in simple Bengali in the manner of Ramendrasundar Trivedi. Graha-nakshatra, Prakritiki, Vaijnaniki, Jagadishchandrer Avishkar, Banglar Pakhi were some of his books.

Jatindranath Mukhopadhyay (Bagha Jatin) born (7 December 1879 – 10 September 1915) was an Indian Bengali revolutionary philosopher against British rule. He was the principal leader of the Yugantar party that was the central association of revolutionaries in Bengal. Having personally met the German Crown-Prince in Calcutta shortly before the World War I, he obtained the promise of arms and ammunition from Germany; as such, he was responsible for the planned German Plot during World War I.

Soumitra Chattopadhyay born 19 January 1935 in Krishnanagar is an Indian film and stage actor and poet. He is best known for his collaborations with film director Satyajit Ray, with whom he worked in fourteen films, and his constant comparison with the Bengali cinema screen idol Uttam Kumar, his contemporary leading man of the 1960s and 1970s.

Hemanta Kumar Sarkar, Haripada Chattapadhyaya, Dilip Kumar Roy, Lahiri Mahasaya, Subhash Mukhopadhyay,Ashish Mandal were born in this City. Some others too, having no birth connections with Krishnanagar, became KRISHNANAGARIC and helped reaching the city at the national level. Some of those notable names are - Subhash Mukhopadhyay, Dr. Khudiram Das (Ram Tanu Lahiri Professor,Calcutta University).

Landmarks:

• Ghurni is the birthplace of Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya, fountain-head of Kriya yoga.

• Rajbari: (Royal Palace) with a Durga temple in the courtyard. Every year, the Jhulan Mela is celebrated around the Rajbari in July–August and Baro Dol (as it is held 12 days after Dol Purnima) in March–April every year.Rajbari also known as the Krishnanagar Palace is by far the most widely visited architectural marvel in the city and is mostly visited for the celebration of different festivals. These include the popular Jhulan Mela and the festival of colours Holi or Baro Dol. The historical monument surrounded by a water-body known as Dighi has a beautiful Goddess Durga temple erected in its central courtyard.

• Roman Catholic Church: The church is famous for its architectural and sculptural splendour. There are 27 oil paintings describing the life of Lord Jesus Christ. Of special mentions are the wooden sculptures by Italian artists. The Church portrays the awesome architecture and wooden sculpture of that era. There are twenty seven oil paintings depicting the entire life of Jesus Christ.
  

• Krishnanagar Government College: The college is under the Maintenance of ASI, It was established in the year 1846. Various popular dignitaries studied here in past.
  

• Company Bagan is a horticultural garden run by the state government.

• Krishnanagar Collegiate School (1846) (the former house of barrister Monomohun Ghose).
  

Places of Interest:

Bethuadahari Forest : A forest covering about 67 Hectares is located at Bethuadahari which is situated at a distance of about 22 K.M. from Krishnanagar. This forest is actually an extended Deer Park. The forest was established in 1980 to preserve the bio-diversity of the central Gangetic alluvial zone. A census of 1998 reveals a population of 295 deer in this forest and other wild life includes Python, Jungle Cat, Porcupine, Monitor Lizard, Snake and a variety of birds (around 50 species).

Bahadurpur forest situated by the side of N.H.-34 in Krishnanagar-II Block has been chosen as a prospective spot for Jungle Safari.

Hasadanga Beel adjacent to Bahadurpur Forest is a vast waterbody which can be transformed into a Water Sports Complex. This Beel has the potential to be developed as a safe haven for the seasonal migratory birds.

Others include the College Bhavan (1846), The Public Library (1856),Anandamoyi Tola Kali Bari, Siddheshwari Kalibari Mandir, Bishop Morrow School, Krishnanagar Academy and the Protestant Church.

Economy:

.Initially, most of the residents of this city were government employees and there were few agricultural as well as silk traders. Gradually, the importance of the city increased due to its geographic location and now it is also a business hub.The economy is primarily based on small- to medium-scale agro-industries and trades.

The other contributor to the economy is agriculture. Produce of the area are rice, jute, sugar, ceramics, and plywood; sugarmilling is the largest industry. The surrounding region produces mangoes, cattle, poultry and fish. There is unrealized demand for building large food storage, refrigeration and processing plants.[8] Live cattle are smuggled across the nearby border to Bangladesh. There are a few sugar mills. Many expertised gems are to be found in this heritage city.

The city has many big shops which now have become the prime shopping destinations. Big Bazar, Style Baazar, Dhakeshwari, Jashoreshwari, City Metro Bazar are some famous shops at High-Street - another prime market area of the city.

Krishnanagar is also famous for the sweet. Halwaikars or moyras (who prepare sweets) of Krishnanagar are famous. While they produce all varieties of sweets, there are some which bear the hallmark of the city. 'Sarbhaja' and 'Sarpuria' are inventions that mark the talent of Krishnanagar's halwaikars.The sweets are mostly prepared from the raw milk which is collected from the nearby villages. Three shops of Adhar Chandra Das & Sons and Sugar and Spice are famous widely for the above-mentioned sweet variants.

Despite the economic boom in India in the 21st century,there have been no major industrial investment proposals for the city so far. Nowadays real estate business is one of the big business of this city.

Transport:

Krishnanagar is 100 km north of Kolkata. Being the district headquarters, residents of Krishnanagar enjoy some unique facilities as far as transport is considered: wide roads, intra-city connectivity by auto-rickshaws, cycles,town service buses and magic taxis(aka toto). Express buses are available for places like Kolkata, Malda, Siliguri, Berhampore, Howrah, Purulia, Asansol etc. from the city's Bus Stnd or PWD stand very close to NH 34 . Nearest Airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra International Airport (CCU) which is 98 KMS by road.

Road: NH 34[6] passess through Krishnanagar. As Krishnanagar is the administrative headquarters of the Nadia district and as it stands just in the center position of West Bengal, it acts as the link between North Bengal and South Bengal. There are bus services on regular basis from South Bengal to North Bengal and Vicecersa. All buses that start from Kolkata to North Bengal halt at Krishnanagar( Pantha Tirtha/Church Gate/Palpara). Krishnanagar have main bus stand at the centre of the city, which is destination of various long, mid and short distance places. It is connected directly to Kolkata, Siliguri by road. Locally it is connected to Ranaghat, Santipur, Mayapur,Nabadwip. Krishnanagar is connected with Nabadwip through Krishnanagar Route no 8. Krishnanagar connected with the Karimpur as well as Palashi para, Majdia.

Railway station one of important route is krishnanagar patikabari bus through state highway 11 and via chapra,tehatta,palashipara.patikabari.

Rail: Krishnanagar is a junction on the broad gauge [Lalgola branch line] of Eastern Railway. Local EMU trains are the most convenient option to reach Kolkata.All trains going to or coming from Lalgola stop at the Krishnanagar.The MEMU trains departs from Ranaghat heading for Bahrampur and vice versa stops at Krishnanagar. EMU (Broad gauge local) train service between these two cities Santipur and Krishnanagar have started, and will be extended to Nabadwip and will be open for commutaion for passengers shortly. 13103/13104 Sealdah- Lalgola Bhagirathi Express, 13113/13114 Hazarduari Express,Lalgola Fast Passenger, and a few Lalgola Passenger are the trains that run daily. Kolkata-Lalgola tri weekly Express (Dhanadhanye Express) is also an express train that takes the Sealdah-Lalgola route. Ladies special from Krishnanagar to Sealdah runs everyday.

Water: As Krishnanagar is city just beside the river Jalangi (Tributary of River Ganges), one can also avail water transport.Regular boat transport is also available from Krishnanagar to other parts.

Art and Education:

The calm lifestyle of this city still evokes a rich cultural environment. Almost all well-to-do parents send their kids to at least one school of art. Among them, dancing, acting, painting, music etc. are the most popular. Several elegant pieces of hand-craft arts can also be found in this region, namely the handcraft in making of carpet, bamboo and jute crafts, miniature paintings. a horticultural research station and jute nursery, and an agricultural training centre. There are various Government and private run schools affiliated to West Bengal Board for Secondary Education,The Indian Council for Secondary Examination (ICSE), Delhi board and Kendriya Vidyalaya affiliated to the CBSE board. Ădobe Learners, a non-Govt institute/organization to provide educational supports to the underprivileged students.

Schools (State/Central Govt. Run)

1.       Krishnanagar High School

2.       Krishnanagar Government Girls'.

3.       Krishnanagar Lady Charmichael Girls' Higher Secondary School

4.       Krishnanagar Collegiate School

5.       Shaktinagar High School

6.       Krishnanagar Debnath High School

7.       Holy Family and Government Girls

8.       Kabi Vijoylal H.S. Institute

9.       Ram baux Chetlangia High School

10.   Krishnanagar C M S School

11.   Krishnanagar A V High School

12.   Mrinalini Girls High School

13.   Swarnamayee Girls High School

14.   Ghurni High School

15.   Helen Keller Smriti Vidya Mandir

Schools (Private Run)

1.       Bishop Morrow School (formerly known as Mary Immaculate School)

2.       Krishnanagar Academy

3.       Don Bosco Higher Secondary School

4.       Jagabandhu Sishu Niketan

Colleges (Govt. Run)

1.       Krishnanagar Government College

2.       Dwijendralal College

3.       Krishnanagar Women's College

4.       B.P.C. Institute of Technology (polytechnic college)

5.       Commerce College

Colleges (Private Run)

1.       Global Institute of Management & Technology (B.Tech. college)

2.       Krishnanagar B.Ed. College.

Medical facilities:

As Krishnanagar is the headquarters of Nadia District, it gets some of the added benefits. Apart from Government Hospitals, there are private run nursing home as well.

Hospitals:

·         Krishnagar District Hospital, Shaktinagar

·         Sadar Hospital, Krishnanagar

·         Mary Immaculate Hospital

·         Rubistar Susrusa Hospital Medical Institute Pvt Ltd

Nursing Homes:

·         Central Nursing Home

·         Sunview Nursing Home

·         Nadia Maternity and Nursing Home

·         Prantik Nursing Home

·         Kayakalyan Sadan Nursing Home

·         Lakeview Nursing Home

·         Few more

Also some organisations like Lions Club of Krishnanagar operates dental clinic, Eye clinic with a minimal charge.

Also some quality diagonostic laboratories are there in the town. Central Pathology, Dr. Lal's Patholab are two prominent names. Also the city has ECHS poly clinic which is central office for Nadia and Murshidabad District.

Civic Administration:

Krishnanagar city is governed by Municipal Corporation which comes under Krishnanagar Municipal Region. The area of the municipality is around 16 km and is divided into 24 wards with 24 councilors. Krishnanagar is the administrative headquarters of the Nadia district. Krishnanagar is center for all the administration purpose. The Parties which contest for the elections are Trinomool Congress, Indian National Congress, BJP. The board of councillors elects a chairman from among its elected members; the chairman is the executive head of the municipality. The elected members of this body are authorized to manage education, health, tourism, and overall development of the area.