Bardhaman
The City of Industries
General Information
District: Bardhaman, State: West Bengal, India
Area: 7024 Sq. Km.
Languages Spoken: Bengali
Long Distance Code: +91-342
Importance:
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Description
Bardhaman, also known as Burdwan is an industrial centre of West Bengal. It has India's biggest locomotive factory. Coal -fields and coal trading centers, railway workshops and other major industries like iron, steel and textile factories, make the district into highly developed industrial area. The small town of Burhanpur boasts of oldest steel plants in India. Bardhaman is also a major communications centre lying astride the Banka River just north of the Damodar River.<br />Bardhaman was ruled by the Ray Zamindars till recently. It is said that Krishnaram Ray, belonging to a merchant family of Punjab came down to this place in the 17th-18th century. Abiding by the orders issued by Aurangzeb he established Zamindari in Bardhaman. Remnants of this past are still being seen today in the district.Location
The district of Bardhaman is located in central part of west Bengal, sharing its western borders with the state of Jharkhand. Other neighbours of this district are Purulia, Bankura, Medinipur, Hugli, Nadia, Murshidabad and Birbhum.
The city of Bardhaman is the headquarter of the district. Known as Sharifabad during the Mughal period, this place was named after the 24th Jain Tirthankar Mahavir Bardhaman. \r\nThe majestic Curzon Gate built in 1903 in the honour of Lord Curzon is now known as the Vijay Toran. Close behind is the Royal Palace which now houses the University of Bardhaman. In 1789, Rani Bishnukumari ordered 108 Shiva temples to be built in the lines of typical mud huts of Bengal. These ancient temples are an interesting site to visit. 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 Shiva lingams, while the latter has only white marble ones. Due to its ingenious planning, all the Shiva lingams can be seen from the centre of the temple complex.\r\nThe Golap Bag, or the Rose Garden, of Bardhaman, is a favourite with tourists. Other than roses there are various trees present in the garden. An old Hawamahal, a lake and a deer park are the other attractions of the Garden.