Bhāngar, India
Region: West Bengal
Geographic Coordinates: 22.580000, 88.420000
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 40.0°C (68°F to 104°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 632107
Language: Bengali
Bhāngar is a quaint town situated in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India. The town has a fascinating history dating back to the pre-independence era when it was known as ‘Bhangarh.’ During that time, Bhāngar was a significant center for trade and commerce due to its strategic location. Today, Bhāngar has evolved into an industrial town with various small-scale industries operating in sectors like textiles, Food processing, Leather goods, And engineering. Its proximity to Kolkata has played an essential role in its economic development.
Apart from being an industrial hub, Bhāngar is also renowned for its cultural significance. The town hosts several festivals throughout the year that attract tourists from all over India. One such festival is ‘Gajan,’ which takes place during April-May every year. During this festival, Devotees worship Lord Shiva through various rituals and processions. Another major attraction of Bhāngar is the ‘Kali Puja’ held during Diwali (the festival of lights). It is one of the biggest celebrations in the region where people come together to offer prayers to Goddess Kali.
In addition to its cultural significance, Bhāngar boasts some beautiful natural attractions like wetlands and bird sanctuaries. The Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary located nearby attracts bird enthusiasts from all over India who come here to observe rare species like Brahminy ducks, Kingfishers, Ospreys among others. The people of Bhāngar are warm-hearted and hospitable towards visitors who are always welcomed with open arms. Bengali cuisine dominates here with dishes like fish curry being popular among locals. Overall, Bhāngar offers an authentic Indian experience with its rich cultural heritage, Natural beauty, And industrial significance.
It’s a must-visit destination for those who want to explore real India beyond touristy spots.’
- Bhangarh Fort – known for its haunting stories and legends
- Sariska National Park – home to tigers, leopards, and other wildlife
- Siliserh Lake – a scenic lake with boating facilities
- Kankwari Fort – a historic fort located inside Sariska National Park
- Pandupol Hanuman Temple – a popular pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Hanuman
- Talvrikshya Shiv Mandir – an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva
- Bala Quila Fort – a hilltop fortress offering panoramic views of the surrounding area
- Bhartrihari Temple – a temple dedicated to sage Bhartrihari
- Neelkanth Mahadev Temple- an ancient temple situated in the foothills of Aravali mountain range.
- Karni Mata Temple- A famous temple which is also known as Rat Temple due to presence of thousand rats in it.
Note: It is recommended that travelers check current travel restrictions and guidelines before planning their trip due to COVID-19 pandemic situation around the world including Bhāngar, India.
- Bhāngar is a small town located in the Indian state of West Bengal.
- The town’s significant industries and businesses include:
- Agriculture
- Fishing
- Handicrafts
- Small-scale manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Agriculture is the primary focus of Bhāngar’s economy with rice cultivation being the main crop grown here. Other crops such as wheat, jute, mustard and vegetables are also cultivated.
- Fishing is another significant industry in Bhāngar due to several water bodies present in the area where fish farming takes place on a large scale. Commonly found fish species include catfish, carp and tilapia.
- The town is known for its traditional handicrafts like terracotta pottery and handloom weaving which contributes to its economy.
- Small-scale manufacturing units producing items such as plastic products, textiles and food products like biscuits also exist in Bhāngar.
- Retail trade thrives with several local markets available where traders sell goods ranging from vegetables to clothes to household items.
- Overall, Bhāngar’s economy heavily relies on agriculture while diversifying into other sectors like handicrafts and small-scale manufacturing.
- Battle of Plassey (1757) – fought between the British East India Company and Siraj ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal near Murshidabad, which is close to Bhāngar.
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy – social reformer born in Radhanagar village near Bhāngar played a significant role in abolishing Sati (widow burning) and promoting women’s rights.
- Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar – educationist, social reformer and writer who worked towards improving women’s condition through various initiatives such as widow remarriage.
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose – prominent freedom fighter who hailed from Cuttack but spent his childhood in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), about 50 km from Bhāngar.
- Rabindranath Tagore – famous poet and Nobel laureate had his ancestral home at Jorasanko Thakur Bari in Kolkata.
- Mother Teresa – founded Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata that provided care for sick and dying people living on the streets.
- Satyajit Ray – renowned filmmaker hailed from Kolkata and made several internationally acclaimed films like Pather Panchali, Aparajito, Charulata among others.
- Swami Vivekananda – Born as Narendranath Datta in Kolkata; he established Ramakrishna Mission that works for philanthropic activities across India including West Bengal region where Bhāngar is located.
- Bhangarh Fort is a historic site with a reputation for being haunted.
- Sundarbans National Park is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Bengal tiger.
- Victoria Memorial in Kolkata is a stunning white marble building dedicated to Queen Victoria.
- Indian Museum, located in Kolkata, is one of the oldest and largest museums in India.
- Dakshineswar Kali Temple on the banks of Hooghly River is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Kali.
- Belur Math serves as headquarters for Ramakrishna Math and Mission, known for its architectural beauty and peaceful environment.
- Science City Kolkata offers interactive science exhibits and activities suitable for all ages.
- Marble Palace Mansion, an opulent 19th-century mansion filled with European art, antiques, and sculptures.
- Kalighat Temple located in south Kolkata is another famous temple dedicated to Goddess Kali.
- National Library of India contains rare manuscripts from ancient times as well as modern literature making it one of the largest libraries available today.
- Basant Panchami – A festival that marks the arrival of spring and is celebrated with great enthusiasm.
- Durga Puja – A significant Hindu festival that honors Goddess Durga and is celebrated with grandeur.
- Diwali – The Festival of Lights is a major Hindu festival that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.
- Holi – The Festival of Colors is a popular Hindu festival where people throw colored powder at each other to celebrate unity and love.
- Rath Yatra – A prominent Hindu festival where Lord Jagannath’s chariot is pulled by devotees through the streets.
- Eid-ul-Fitr – A Muslim festival marking the end of Ramadan, which involves fasting from dawn to dusk for a month.
- Christmas – Celebrated by Christians in Bhāngar with carol singing, midnight mass, decorating homes and exchanging gifts.
There are many more cultural events and festivals celebrated in Bhāngar throughout the year based on different religions and traditions followed by its diverse population.
- Biryani: Aminia Restaurant and Arsalan are famous for serving biryani.
- Kebabs: Royal Indian Hotel and Shiraz Golden Restaurant are popular places to try kebabs.
- Fish Curry: Oh! Calcutta and Fish Fish are famous places to try fish curry.
- Sweets: Bengali sweets like Rasgulla, Sandesh, Mishti Doi can be found at any sweet shop or restaurant.
- Street Food: Puchka (Pani Puri), Jhal Muri (spicy puffed rice), Egg Roll are quite popular among locals and tourists alike.
- Other notable restaurants worth mentioning include Aaheli Express for authentic Bengali cuisine, Hatari for Chinese food lovers, and Sher-e-Punjab for North Indian delicacies such as Butter Chicken or Dal Makhni etcetera.
- Bhangar Panchayat Park
- Jiban Krishna Park
- Kamarhati Park
- Eco Tourism Park Kolkata (about 30 km away)
- Bhangar Stadium for sports activities such as football and cricket.
Please note that these suggestions are based on general knowledge of parks and recreational activities in India and may not be accurate or up-to-date for the specific location of Bhāngar. It is always best to check with local authorities or tourism offices for the latest information on available public parks and recreational activities in any given area.
