Pānihāti, India
Region: West Bengal
Geographic Coordinates: 22.690000, 88.370000
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 377347
Language: Bengali
Pānihāti is a stunning town located in West Bengal, India. It sits on the banks of the Hooghly River, Which adds to its tranquil and picturesque ambiance. The town has a long-standing cultural heritage that dates back to ancient times and is renowned for its religious significance as it was once an important Hindu center. One of the most popular events in Pānihāti is the Panihati Chida Dahi Utsav, Which takes place annually on the full moon day in either June or July.
This festival commemorates a famous event from Hindu mythology when Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Panihati and shared chida (flattened rice) and dahi (yogurt) with his followers. Thousands of people come together during this festival to share chida-dahi as prasad (blessed food), Along with other cultural programs, Music, Dance performances, And festivities. Another notable attraction in Pānihāti is the Buro Shibtala temple complex devoted to Lord Shiva. It consists of several temples constructed over time by different rulers who were devotees of Lord Shiva.
These temples are adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures that reflect various styles of architecture prevalent during different periods. Besides this complex, There are many other significant temples dedicated to various deities such as Kali Temple, Radha Krishna Temple, Hanuman Temple among others that attract visitors from all over India throughout the year. Due to its location on Hooghly riverbank- an important river port connecting Kolkata with North India -Panihati has a rich history associated with trade.
One can still see remnants of old trading houses along its narrow lanes that have been converted into modern shops selling everything from traditional handicrafts to modern gadgets. The local cuisine in Panihati reflects this diversity through dishes influenced by both Bengali and North Indian cuisine. Some popular dishes include Luchi-Alur Dom, Cholar Dal, Mishti Doi, Rasgulla and Sandesh. Pānihāti is a charming town that provides visitors with an insight into the rich cultural heritage of West Bengal.
Its stunning temples, Historic landmarks and scenic beauty make it an ideal destination for those seeking to explore the cultural roots of India.
Important Landmarks
- Panihati Chida Dahi Utsav
- Adyapith Temple
- Kanchrapara Railway Station
- Jibananda Das Memorial Museum
- Kanchrapara Baptist Church
- Ganga Sagar Mela
- Tarakeswar Temple
- Kalighat Kali Temple
- Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Primary Industries
- Pānihāti, located in the Indian state of West Bengal, is home to a variety of industries and businesses.
- The city is known for its textile industry, which includes handloom weaving, dyeing, printing, and garment manufacturing.
- Additionally, Pānihāti has several food processing units that produce snacks, sweets and other food products.
- The jute industry is also significant in Pānihāti as it produces jute bags and other related products.
- There are many small-scale leather industries in the city that produce leather goods such as shoes, belts and bags.
- Furthermore, the chemical industry in Pānihāti produces various chemicals used in agriculture and other sectors.
- The city also has several small-scale engineering units that manufacture machinery parts and equipment.
- Apart from these industries mentioned above; banks hospitals schools/colleges etc present here play a significant role in the economy of Pānihāti by providing employment opportunities to people living here within the service sector.
Noteable History
- Panihati Chida Dahi Utsav: This festival is celebrated in Panihati, where people gather to enjoy chida and dahi (flattened rice and yogurt) along with other delicacies.
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy: He was a social reformer born in Radhanagar village near Panihati who played an important role in abolishing the practice of Sati (widow burning) and promoting education for women.
- Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: He was a 15th-century saint who founded Gaudiya Vaishnavism, which emphasizes devotion to Lord Krishna. It is believed that he visited Panihati during his travels.
- Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula: He was the last independent Nawab of Bengal before it became part of British India, and the Battle of Plassey, which led to British rule over India, took place near Panihati.
- Rabindranath Tagore: He was a poet, writer, and philosopher who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913; his ancestral home is located in Jorasanko near Panihati.
- Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay: He wrote Vande Mataram which later became the national song of India during its struggle for independence from British rule.
- Swami Vivekananda founded Ramakrishna Mission to promote education and social welfare among Indians regardless of caste or creed.
- Bipin Bihari Ganguly -He Was Indian Freedom Fighter Who Participated In The Indian Independence Movement And Was Born In Panihati, West Bengal.
Museums and Things To See
- Panihati Chida Dahi Utsav
- Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math
- Rabindra Bhavan Museum
- Barrackpore Mangal Pandey Park and Memorial
- Nandalal Bose Memorial Art Gallery
- Dakshineswar Kali Temple
- Belur Math
- Hooghly Imambara
- Serampore College
- Bethune College
Cultural Events
- Panihati Chida Dahi Utsav is a famous festival celebrated in Panihati where people gather to enjoy chida and dahi, which are traditional Bengali dishes.
- Rath Yatra is a popular festival in Panihati where Lord Jagannath, Balarama, and Subhadra are taken on a chariot procession through the streets of the town.
- Basanta Utsav or Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Panihati. People smear each other with colors, dance to music, and indulge in festive food.
- Janmashtami is an important Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. In Panihati, devotees fast all day and participate in puja ceremonies at night.
- Durga Puja is one of the biggest festivals in West Bengal including Panihati where people worship Goddess Durga for five days with great devotion and enthusiasm.
- Kali Puja or Diwali is another important Hindu festival celebrated by lighting diyas (lamps) at home as well as public places with grandeur.
- Saraswati Puja marks the beginning of spring season when students worship Goddess Saraswati for knowledge and wisdom.
- Nabanna Utsav celebrates the harvest season when farmers offer their first harvest to deities followed by feasting on traditional Bengali dishes like pitha (rice cakes).
Cuisine
- Mishti Hub – renowned for its traditional Bengali sweets including rasgulla, sandesh, and gulab jamun.
- Biryani House – offers tasty biryani with various meat options.
- Apanjan Restaurant – famous for its authentic Bengali cuisine such as fish curry and luchi-alur dom.
- Kolkata Roll Centre – serves delicious kathi rolls filled with chicken or paneer and vegetables.
- Dada Boudi Hotel – a popular breakfast spot that serves puri-bhaji and chole-bhature among other dishes.
- Cafe Ekante – located inside the Eco Park area offering various snacks, sandwiches, coffee/tea etc
- The Yellow Chilli by Sanjeev Kapoor- if you’re looking for something different from the local cuisine then this is one of the best places to try out Indian fusion food prepared by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor
- Panihati Municipal Park
- Panihati Swimming Pool
- Kalyaneshwari Park
- Ganga Uddyan Park
- Sarada Udayan Park
- Buroshibtala Children’s park
- Nabinpally park and playground
- Panihati Stadium for sports activities like cricket, football etc.
- Boating facility at Ganga River.
- Yoga classes are also organized in many parks in the morning and evening time for public health and relaxation purposes