Pathra, Paschim Medinipur Explained

Pathra
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:India West Bengal # India
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in West Bengal, India
Coordinates:22.4146°N 87.4193°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:West Bengal
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Paschim Medinipur
Unit Pref:Metric
Population Total:3,356
Population As Of:2011
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Languages*
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:Bengali, Santali, English
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:721135
Area Code Type:Telephone/STD code
Area Code:03221
Blank1 Name Sec1:Lok Sabha constituency
Blank1 Info Sec1:Medinipur
Blank2 Name Sec1:Vidhan Sabha constituency
Blank2 Info Sec1:Kharagur

Pathra is a village and a gram panchayat in the Midnapore Sadar CD block in the Medinipur Sadar subdivision of the Paschim Medinipur district in the state of West Bengal, India.

Geography

Location

Pathra is located at 22.4146°N 87.4193°W.

Area overview

Paschim Medinipur district (before separation of Jhargram) had a total forest area of 1,700 km2, accounting for 14.31% of the total forested area of the state. It is obvious from the map of the Midnapore Sadar subdivision, placed alongside, is that there are large stretches of forests in the subdivision. The soil is predominantly lateritic.[1] Around 30% of the population of the district resides in this subdivision. 13.95% of the population lives in urban areas and 86.05% lives in the rural areas.[2]

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

Demographics

According to the 2011 Census of India, Pathra had a total population of 3,356, of which 1,726 (51%) were males and 1,639 (49%) were females. There were 495 persons in the age range of 0–6 years. The total number of literate persons in Pathra was 1,921 (67.14% of the population over 6 years).[3]

.*For language details see Midnapore Sadar (community development block)#Language and religion

Culture

Pathra is a village of temples with hundreds of small temples. Unfortunately, many of the temples are in bad shape because of lack of preservation, damage by the Kangsabati and vandalizing by the locals. There are 34 temples with "enriched terracotta artwork". Those deserving a special mention are the naba-ratna temple, kachari mahal, rasmancha, dalan of Kalachand, Durgeswar temple and Pancha Shiva temple.[4]

Most of the temples were built by the Ghosal (later changed to Majumdar) and Banerjee families. The decline started when the rich families shifted base. However, with the persistent efforts of a small group of enthusiasts, Pathra has turned the tide. The Archaeological Survey of India has taken charge of 28 temples and have repaired 18 temples. Pathra Archeological Preservation Committee, a non-government organization, also looks after the structures.[5]

A major attraction is the 250-year old, 40 feet high Nava-ratna temple. There is a small at-chala temple in the same compound. Located nearby are three at-chalas and a pancha-ratna temple. Behind the cluster is a Durga dalan. Some distance away is another group of pancha-ratna temples. The Sitala temple (also known as Burimar than) is also 40 feet high. Other important temples are Sarbamangala, Kalachand, Das Mahavidya and Hansa. Therasmancha built in 1832 has nine small towers.[5]

David J. McCutchion mentions a ruined temple at Pathra as a char-chala on an elongated base, the nava-ratna as having smooth rekha turrets, the Kalachand temple as a flat roofed temple with a porch on five arches, and the Sitala temple as having a shallow porch projection.[6]

The Dharmaraj temple, the temples of the Bandopadhyay family, the Sitala temple and the Nava-ratna complex, all four at Pathra are Monuments of National Importance in West Bengal.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: District Human Development Report Paschim Medinipur, 2011. page 7, 27. Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal . 10 September 2020.
  2. Web site: District Statistical Handbook Paschim Medinipur, 2013. Table 2.2, 2.4 (a). Department of Planning and Statistics . 10 September 2020.
  3. Web site: CD block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA) . West Bengal – District-wise CD blocks. Registrar General and Census, India . 12 August 2020.
  4. Web site: Pathra. Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal . 13 August 2020.
  5. Web site: Mondirmoy Pathra. Subhadip . Mondal . Egiye Bangla, official portal of Paschim Medinipur district administration . 13 August 2020.
  6. McCutchion, David J., Late Mediaeval Temples of Bengal, first published 1972, reprinted 2017, pages 32, 53, 62, 68. The Asiatic Society, Kolkata,
  7. Web site: List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of West Bengal - Archaeological Survey of India. ASI. Item no. 57. 7 August 2020.