Kalna

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?Kalna West Bengal • India
Kalna
Coordinates: 23°13′N 88°10′E / 23.22, 88.17
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 11 m (36 ft)
District(s)	Bardhaman
Population	52,176 (2001)
MLA	Anjali Mondal
Website: bardhaman.gov.in/

Coordinates: 23°13′N 88°10′E / 23.22, 88.17 Kalna (Bengali: কালনা) is a city and a municipality and subdivision in Bardhaman District in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is situated on the western bank of the Bhāgirathi. The town is more popularly known as Ambika Kalna, named after a very popular Deity of Goddess Kali, Maa Ambika. It has numerous historical monuments such as the Rajbari (the palace) and the 108 Shiva temples. The town of Kalna, is 50 km. from Bardhaman, the district headquarter.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Attractions
4 Economy
5 Politics
6 Health
7 External links
8 References
9 See also

[edit] Geography

Kalna is located at 23.22° N 88.37° E^[1]. It has an average elevation of 11 metres (36 feet).

The town can be accessed by rail or road. By rail it is connected on the loop line route from Howrah towards Katwa. There are several local trains as well as express trains, on the route and almost all of them stop at the Ambika Kalna rail station. By road, the town can be accessed from primarily 4 places, Bandel, Pandua, Bainchi and Barddhaman.

Though part of the Barddhaman district of West Bengal, it is located near the border with Nadia District, and is very near to the famous pilgrimage place called Nabadwip and Mayapur, famous for the centre of ISKON.

Kalna is located on the agriculturally rich alluvial plains between the Bhagirathi, Ajay and Damodar rivers.^[2] Temperatures in this region varies from 17-18°C in winter to 30-32°C in summer.^[3]

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census^[4], Kalna had a population of 52,176. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Kalna has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 72%. In Kalna, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Steady flow of refugees from East Pakistan swelled the population of the area in the fifties. ^[5]

[edit] Attractions

Popularised by the sage Bhaba Pagla, the temple of Debi Bhabani holds a special puja on the last Saturday of the Bengali month of Baisakh. Close to it is Sri Gauranga Mandir. The temple complex houses Sri Chaitanya's manuscripts and personal belongings. A major landmark is the Siddheshwari Temple. It is dedicated to Debi Ambika, and it is after her that Kalna is also known as Ambika Kalna.

A major attraction is the Nava Kailash or 108 Shiv Mandirs. Built in 1809, 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 shivlingas, while the latter has only white marble ones. Due to its ingenious planning, all the shivlingas can be seen from the centre of the temple complex.

The Krishna Chandra Mandir (A.D. 1751-1752), with its 25 steeples, is another popular landmark. Scenes from the epics are depicted on its terracotta walls. Doors remain closed from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.Worthwhile mentioning are also Lalji Mandir (A.D.1739) with 25 steeples and Pratapeshvara Mandir (A.D.1849)of the rekha style.

[edit] Economy

After partition of India, many skilled weavers of Dhaka came and settled in West Bengal around Shantipur in Nadia district and Kalna of Bardhaman district, both traditionally renowned centres for hand-woven fabrics. With government encouragement and support, the talented weavers soon revived their ancestral occupation and the art of exquisite weaving once again flourished. Today, finely woven feather-touch textiles and saris in exotic designs and colours are being produced in the vast weaving belt of Shantipur, Phulia, Samudragarh, Dhatrigram and Ambika Kalna – each centre producing superb fabrics in its own unique weaving style. Kalna is famous for tangails and gorgeous jamdanis. The produce is marketed through co-operatives and various undertakings.^[6]

[edit] Politics

Anjali Mondal of CPI (M) won the Kalna assembly seat in 2006, defeating her nearest rival Asis Chakraborty of AITC. Anju Kar of CPI (M) won the seat 2001, 1996, 1991, 1987 and 1982 defeating her nearest rivals, Sridhar Banerjee of AITC in 2001, Lakshman Kumar Roy of INC in 1996, Dhirendranath Chaterjee of INC in 1991 and 1987, and Sudhir Ghosh of INC in 1982. Guruprasad Sinha Roy of CPI (M) won the seat in 1977 defeating Debendra Bejoy Ghosh of JNP in 1977.^[7]

Nubul Islam Molla of INC won the Kalna assembly seat in 1972. ^[8]. Hare Krishna Konar of CPI (M) won the seat in 1971, ^[9] 1969, ^[10] 1967 ^[11] and 1962 (representing CPI). ^[12] In 1957 and 1951, it was a double member seat. In 1957, it was won by Hare Krishna Konar and Jamadar Majhi, both representing CPI. ^[13] In 1951, it was won by Baidyanath Santal and Rasbehari, both INC. ^[14]

Kalna is part of Katwa (Lok Sabha constituency).^[15]