Dharmanagar
| Dharmanagar | |
|---|---|
| city | |
  Dharmanagar | |
| Coordinates: 24°22′N 92°10′E / 24.37°N 92.17°ECoordinates: 24°22′N 92°10′E / 24.37°N 92.17°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Tripura |
| District | North Tripura |
| Elevation | 21 m (69 ft) |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 30,785 |
| • Rank | second largest city of Tripura after capital city Agartala. |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Bengali, Kokborok, English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
Dharmanagar is a district town and a Municipal Council in the North East of India and the North Tripura district of the state of Tripura, India.
History
Most of the known history of Dharmanagar is derived from the ancient Rajmala scripts, which is the ancient Royal chronicles of the Kings of Tripura written in the 14th century. Initially unrecorded, it was in circulation in the ancient Kokborok language, which is the language of the Tripura Kings before it was translated and edited into Bengali in the late 14th century by pandit shukreshwar and Baneshwar, who were respected scholars of the time.
The origin of the name 'Dharmanagar' cannot be accurately traced back in time. The Rajmala refers to at least four known ancient kings whose names include the word 'Dharma'. So it remains a matter of speculation as to which king had lent his name to the town. Various uncovered documents however, indicate that the existence of Dharmanagar goes back deep into time. The Rajmala further indicates that the name 'Faticuli' was used to mean Dharmanagar back in those ancient times.
Geography
The exact geographical boundaries of Dharmanagar in the ancient times, have not been clearly documented. However, a general idea about the size obtained from various sources indicate that one major position of Sylhet (now in Bangladesh) was included in Dharmanagar. Sources also indicate that Dharmanagar in those days was not as small as it is today. The size of Dharmanagar has been greatly diminished over the ages and what was once the mighty capital of Tripura has now been reduced to a district town of the state.
At present Dharmanagar is bound by Maulvi Bazar of Sylhet, Bangladesh in the North, Karimganj district of Assam in the East and Mizoram state in the South and Kailashahar subdivision of Unakoti district in the west.
Demographics
The population of Dharmanagar, as estimated in late 2006, is around 32,912.[1] Males constitute around 51% of the population and females 49%[citation needed].
Dharmanagar has an average literacy rate of 73.66%, higher than the national average of 65.38%: male literacy is 81.47% and female literacy is 65.41%.[2]
A total of 9% of the population are under 6 years of age[citation needed]. Whilst the majority speak Bengali, Dharmanagar is also home to Kokborok speaking tribes.
Furthermore, 70% percent of the population are Hindu, 2% are Buddhist and less than 28% are Muslim.[citation needed]. رابيﺁ
Climate
Dharmanagar is blessed with a peaceful climate most of the year. However, summer time can be excessively hot, dry, humid and interspersed with rains and thunderstorms. Winter generally starts towards the end of November and lasts until February, where the temperatures can reach freezing conditions. The monsoon season in Dharmanagar starts in April during the Bengali month of Baishakh. During the monsoon season, Dharmanagar is inundated frequently due to excessive rainfall and flooding by the local rivers.
| Climate data for Dharmanagar | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 30 (86) |
33 (91) |
38 (100) |
40 (104) |
38 (100) |
40 (104) |
37 (99) |
37 (99) |
37 (99) |
35 (95) |
32 (90) |
28 (82) |
40 (104) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 23 (73) |
25 (77) |
30 (86) |
31 (88) |
31 (88) |
31 (88) |
32 (90) |
32 (90) |
31 (88) |
30 (86) |
27 (81) |
24 (75) |
29 (84) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 10 (50) |
12 (54) |
15 (59) |
20 (68) |
22 (72) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
24 (75) |
21 (70) |
16 (61) |
11 (52) |
19 (66) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 5 (41) |
6 (43) |
6 (43) |
11 (52) |
16 (61) |
18 (64) |
20 (68) |
21 (70) |
20 (68) |
15 (59) |
10 (50) |
5 (41) |
5 (41) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 11.4 (0.449) |
12.8 (0.504) |
57.7 (2.272) |
142.3 (5.602) |
248.0 (9.764) |
350.1 (13.783) |
353.6 (13.921) |
269.9 (10.626) |
166.2 (6.543) |
79.2 (3.118) |
19.4 (0.764) |
5.1 (0.201) |
1,717.7 (67.626) |
| Source: wunderground.com[3] | |||||||||||||
Transport
The nearest airport to Dharmanagar is in Silchar and further afield Agartala. There is also a helipad for helicopter rides or for quick journeys to the capital Agartala, these are costly and are mainly reserved for the rich.
Daily bus service runs from Dharmanagar to Shillong and Guwahati.
Train services opened after independence of the country. Daily multiple trains are available from Dharmanagar to Assam and Agartala. At present two express trains stop at Dharmanager, they are Up and Down Lumding-Agartala Express.
Education
There are eight higher secondary schools in Dharmanagar. Bir Bikram Institution (BBI), DMR Girls Higher Secondary School, DNV, Chandrapur, Padmapur, Nayapara, Rajbari, Golden Valley H.S(+2 Stage) School, Holy Cross and Siksha Bhavan Montessori School, last three are fully taught in English language. There's also a degree college which was called Dharmanagar Govt. Degree College(DGDC). It is the third highest ranked degree college in Tripura.Siksha Bhavan Montessori School is the Education Partner of TATA Interactive Systems. The school using the Digital Class System 'Class Edge' brand from the TATA Interactive Systems.
NGO's
1. Growing Seed : It is an NGO operated by some students and working since 2011. Major activities are health camp, blood donation camp, publishing of "uttaran" magazine, awareness camp, vermi-compost project, tree plantation, cultural programme etc. For more info visit http://www.growingseedsociety.webs.com
Neighbouring Towns and Cities
Unakoti
West Tripura
South Tripura
Dhalai
Outer Tripura
Local Sights and Attractions
Durga Puja Festival
One of the best times to visit Dharmanagar is during the famous Durga Puja when the streets come alive and people from the entire town flock to the town centre to visit the many statues of goddess Durga scattered around the town. Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Bijoya Dashami.
Dharmanagar took second place in term of MAA DURGA PUJA for its pandals after the Capital City of Tripura which is Agartala.
Kali Puja Festival
One of he main festivals is the Kali Puja which occurs between September and October and is where the children, adults and the elderly enjoy famously. Dharmanagar is also known for its bright lights during this Puja where the entire town is lit up beautifully.
All the people of Tripura knows that in term of MAA KALI PUJA, Dharmanagar is the best city for its big pandals & crowd.
Dighi, Shops, Markets and Temples
The playgrounds(BBI & DNV), shopping mall(RANA PLAZA), Dharmanagar super market, shops and the famous pond or the "Dighi" in and around the town centre are the heart of this small town. The illuminated fountain at the middle of the "Dighi", local shops and Kalibari Temple around the Dighi at night makes a wonderful sight.
Edited by- BIKRAM SINHA, NANCHANG UNIVERSITY, CHINA
Haflong
Haflong is a famous and beautiful tea garden a short distance from Dharmanagar. Scenic beauty of this area attract people of Dharmanagar in the afternoon.
Other
There is one Govt hospital, an Eye Hospital, a private Nursing Home, a Rotary Club and a Lions Club in Dharmanagar. A Voluntary Blood Donors Association has been working here since 1993.
Unakoti
A short distance away is the ancient site of Unakoti, which literally means "one less a crore" in Bengali, hosts an ancient place of worship with huge rock-cut images and stone idols of Lord Shiva. It is the prime tourist spot of North Tripura District, and is located in the neighbouring town of Kailashahar Subdivision in the North-eastern Indian state of Tripura.
Politics
Dharmanagar assembly constituency is part of Tripura East (Lok Sabha constituency); the main political parties are CPI(M) and Congress(I).[4] The assembly constituency is now represented by Indian National Congress MLA.
Media & communications
Radio
- All India Radio
- Akashvani (On AM).
Television
- Doordarshan
- DD Metro
- Bangla TV
- Cable TV showing hundreds of channels including MTV, ETV Bangla, Zee Bangla, Zee Cinema, Star Jalsha, Star Plus, Star Gold, B4U, CNN, and BBC Worldwide.
Newspapers
No daily newspaper published from Dharmanagar, except few weekly. Daily newspapers published from Agartala, Karimganj and Silchar reaches dail morning in this town. Besides above, national dailies like The Telegraph, Anandabazar Patrika, Bartaman, The Times of India, The Statesman, Hindustan Times etc. are also available.
Website
Dharmanagar Info - website to promote the Culture, Travel and Lifestyle of Dharmanagar & Tripura.
References
- ↑ Population Of Dharmanagar
- ↑ Indian Census 2001
- ↑ "Historical Weather for Delhi, India". Weather Underground. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
- ↑ "Assembly Constituencies – Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies". Tripura. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 8 October 2008.