Pathra, Paschim Medinipur

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.

Not to be confused with Pathra.
Pathra
Village
Pathra
Location in West Bengal, India
Pathra
Pathra (India)
Coordinates: 22.4146°N 87.4193°E / 22.4146; 87.4193
Country India
StateWest Bengal
DistrictPaschim Medinipur
Population
 (2011)
 • Total3,356
Languages
 • OfficialBengali, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
721135
Telephone/STD code03221
Lok Sabha constituencyMedinipur
Vidhan Sabha constituencyKharagur
Websitepaschimmedinipur.gov.in

Geography

Pathra is located at 22.4146°N 87.4193°E / 22.4146; 87.4193.

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).[1]

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.[2]

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.[3]

A major attraction is the 250-year old, 40 feet high Navaratna temple. There is a small atchala temple in the same compound. Located nearby are three atchalas and a pancharatna temple. Behind the cluster is a Durga dalan. Some distance away is another group of pancharatna temples. The Sitala temple (also known as Burimar than) is also 40 feet high. Other important temples are Sarbamangal, Kalachand, Das Mahavidya and Hansa. The rasmancha built in 1832 has nine small towers.[3]

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.[4]

The Dharmaraj temple, the temples of the Bandopadhyay family, the Sitala temple and the Navaratna complex, all four at Pathra are Monuments of National Importance in West Bengal.[5]

  • Navaratna temple of Majumdar family
  • Navaratna temple
  • Pancharatna Shiva temple of Banerjee family
  • Pancharatna Shiva temple
  • Pancharatna Dharmaraj temple
  • Pancharatna Dharmaraj temple
  • Sitala temple

References
  1. "CD block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA)". West Bengal – District-wise CD blocks. Registrar General and Census, India. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  2. "Pathra". Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  3. Mondal, Subhadip. "Mondirmoy Pathra". Egiye Bangla, official portal of Paschim Medinipur district administration. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  4. McCutchion, David J., Late Mediaeval Temples of Bengal, first published 1972, reprinted 2017, pages 32, 53, 62, 68. The Asiatic Society, Kolkata, ISBN 978-93-81574-65-2
  5. "List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of West Bengal - Archaeological Survey of India". Item no. 57. ASI. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
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