Pathra, Paschim Medinipur

Not to be confused with Pathra.

Village in West Bengal, India

Pathra

Village

Pathra

Location in West Bengal, India

Show map of West Bengal

Pathra

Pathra (India)

Show map of India

Coordinates: 22°24′53″N 87°25′09″E﻿ / ﻿22.4146°N 87.4193°E﻿ / 22.4146; 87.4193
Country|  India
State| West Bengal
District| Paschim Medinipur
Population

(2011)

• Total

| 3,356
Languages*

• Official| Bengali, Santali, English
Time zone| UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN|

721135

Telephone/STD code| 03221
Lok Sabha constituency| Medinipur
Vidhan Sabha constituency| Kharagur
Website| paschimmedinipur.gov.in

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

[edit]

8km
5miles

Bhadutola
Reserve Forest

Godapiasal
Forest

Arabari
Range Forest

Goaltore
Reserve Forest

Salboni
Forest Range

Lalgarh-Jhitka
Forest Range

Gohaldanga
Forest Range

Hoomgarh
Forest

Kangsabati River

Shilabati
River

JSW Cement Plant

Vidyasagar University

Gongoni Danga

Pathra

Karnagarh

Midnapore

Satbankura

Salboni

Pingboni

Keshpur

Godapiasal

Goaltore

Chandrakona Road

Chandra

Anandapur

Naba Kola

Garbeta

Dwarigeria

Durllabhganj

Amlagora

Cities and towns in Medinpur Sadar subdivision of Paschim Medinipur district
M: municipal city/ town, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical/ religious centre, F: facilities
Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly

### Location

[edit]

Pathra is located at 22°24′53″N 87°25′09″E﻿ / ﻿22.4146°N 87.4193°E﻿ / 22.4146; 87.4193.

### Area overview

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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][5]

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. Due to the continuous effort of one public spirited person Yasin Pathan, Archaeological Survey of India has taken charge of 28 temples and have repaired 18 temples.[6] Pathra Archeological Preservation Committee, a non-government organization, also looks after the structures.[7]

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.[7]

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.[8]

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.[9]

## Pathra picture gallery

[edit]

* Nava-ratna temple of Majumdar family

* Nava-ratna temple

* Pancha-ratna Shiva temple of Banerjee family

* Pancha-ratna Shiva temple

* Pancha-ratna Dharmaraj temple

* Pancha-ratna Dharmaraj temple

* Sitala temple

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "District Human Development Report Paschim Medinipur, 2011". page 7, 27. Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
2. ^ "District Statistical Handbook Paschim Medinipur, 2013". Table 2.2, 2.4 (a). Department of Planning and Statistics. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
3. ^ "CD block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA)". West Bengal – District-wise CD blocks. Registrar General and Census, India. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
4. ^ "Pathra". Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
5. ^ চট্টোপাধ্যায়, শর্মিষ্ঠা (10 January 2023). "মন্দিরময় পাথরায় হোম স্টে-তে রাত কাটানোর সুযোগ, জানুন খুঁটিনাটি". Eisamay Online (in Bengali). Retrieved 8 May 2025.
6. ^ সংবাদদাতা, নিজস্ব. "পাথরায় মন্দির রক্ষার আন্দোলন থেকে সরলেন সম্প্রীতির যোদ্ধা ইয়াসিন". Archived from the original on 11 March 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
7. ^ a b Mondal, Subhadip. "Mondirmoy Pathra". Egiye Bangla, official portal of Paschim Medinipur district administration. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
8. ^ 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
9. ^ "List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of West Bengal - Archaeological Survey of India". Item no. 57. ASI. Retrieved 7 August 2020.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pathra, Paschim Medinipur.

* v
* t
* e

Cities, towns and locations in Paschim Medinipur District, Medinipur division

Cities, towns and locations in Bankura district Cities, towns and locations in Purba Bardhaman district Cities, towns and locations in Hooghly district
Cities, towns and locations in Howrah district Cities, towns and locations in Purba Medinipur district Balshwar district, Odisha Cities, towns and locations in Jhargram district

Cities, municipal
and census towns|

| Kharagpur subdivision|

* Balichak
* Chaulia
* Deuli
* Kalaikunda
* Kharagpur
* Kharagpur Railway Settlement

|

Medinipur Sadar subdivision|

* Amlagora
* Durllabhganj
* Dwarigeria
* Garbeta
* Midnapore
* Naba Kola

Ghatal subdivision|

* Chandrakona
* Ghatal
* Kharar
* Khirpai
* Ramjibanpur

Divisions of West Bengal

Locations
other than cities and towns|

| Kharagpur subdivision|

* Adasimla
* Belda
* Bhemwa
* Chak Bajit
* Changual
* Dantan
* Debra
* Dhaneswarpur
* Dhaneshwarpur Madhyabar
* Dubrajpur
* Gangaram Chak
* Jalchak
* Kashmuli
* Kerur
* Keshiary
* Khandrui
* Kolanda
* Loyada
* Lutunia
* Madpur
* Maligram
* Matkatpur
* Mohanpur
* Narayangarh
* Pingla
* Radhamohanpur
* Raj Ballabh
* Sabang
* Salua
* Satkul
* Satyapur
* Shrirampur
* Tilantapara

|

Medinipur Sadar subdivision|

* Anandapur
* Chandra
* Chandrakona Road
* Goaltore
* Godapiasal
* Karnagarh
* Keshpur
* Pathra
* Piasala
* Pingboni
* Salboni
* Satbankura

Ghatal subdivision|

* Ajuria
* Alui
* Baikunthapur
* Birsingha
* Chaipat
* Daspur
* Dihi Baliharpur
* Gangadaspur
* Gobindanagar
* Hiradharpur
* Iswarpur
* Jalshara
* Jayantipur
* Joteghanashyam
* Kotalpur
* Lachhipur
* Laoda
* Narajole
* Palashpai
* Radhakantapur
* Radhanagar
* Shaulan
* Sonakhali
* Uttar Bar

Related topics|

* Paschim Medinipur topics
* People from Paschim Medinipur district
* Villages in Paschim Medinipur district

India portal

* v
* t
* e

Temple towns in West Bengal

Districts|

* Temple towns

Bankura|

* Ajodhya (12 Shiva temples)
* Akui (Radhakanta temple)
* Ambikanagar (Ambika temple)
* Atbaichandi (Basuli temple)
* Baital (Shyama Chandi temple)
* Balsi Purbapara (Vishnu deul, Shiva temple etc)
* Bishnupur (many temples)
* Deulbhira (Parshvantah temple)
* Dharapat (Deul of Dharapat)
* Dihar (Shnareshwara Shiva Temple, Shaileswara Shiva temple)
* Dwadashbari (Nandakishor temple)
* Ekteswar (Shiva temple)
* Gokulnagar (Gokulchand temple)
* Gumut (Muninagar Radhakanta Temple)
* Hadal Narayanpur (Radha Damodara Temple)
* Harmasra (many temples)
* Jayrambati (Sarada Ma’s birthplace)
* Maynapur (Hakanda temple)
* Patit Dommahal (Sridhara temple)
* Sonatapal (Sun temple)

Birbhum|

* Bakreshwar (several temples)
* Hetampur (Dewanji temple)
* Ilambazar (Gouranga, Raghunathji and other temples)
* Jaydev Kenduli (Radha Binode temple)
* Kankalitala (Shakti peetha)
* Nanoor (Bisalakhi and other temples)
* Suri (Radha Damodara temple)
* Surul (Lakshmi Janardan and other temples)
* Tarapith (Tara temple)

Cooch Behar|

* Baneswar (Shiva temple)
* Dhaliabari (Siddhantha Shiva temple)
* Gosanimari (Kamteswari temple}
* Sidheswari (Sidheswari Devi temple)

Darjeeling|

* Darjeeling (Mahakal temple, Peace Pagoda, Ghoom Monastery)

Hooghly|

* Antpur (Radha Govindjiu and other temples)
* Badanganj (Damodara temple)
* Bali Dewanganj (many temples)
* Bansberia (Hangseswari, Ananta Basudeba and other temples)
* Bhalia (Raghunatha temple)
* Dihi Bayara (Swarup Narayan temple)
* Gourhati (three temples)
* Guptipara (four temples)
* Gurap (Nandadulala temple)
* Kamarpukur (birthplace of Sri Ramakrishna)
* Kanpur (Kanakeswar Shiva temple)
* Parul (Raghunatha and Bisalakshi temples)
* Tarakeswar (Taraknath Temple)

Howrah|

* Belur (Belur Math)

Jalpaiguri|

* Mainaguri (Jalpesh Temple)

Murshidabad|

* Baranagar (several temples)

Nadia|

* Mayapur (several temples)
* Nabadwip (temple city)
* Palpara (Palpara temple)

North 24 Parganas|

* Dakshineswar (Kali Temple)
* Baranagar (Kripamayee Kali Temple, Baranagar Math)

Paschim Bardhaman|

* Gourangapur (Ichhai Ghosher Deul)
* Bankati (Shiva temple)

Paschim Medinipur|

* Chandrakona (many temples)
* Daspur (several temples)
* Dihi Baliharpur (Radha Gobinda temple)
* Dubrajpur (Lakshmi Janardana temple)
* Ghatal (many temples)
* Gobindanagar (Radha Govinda temple)
* Jalchak (2 temples)
* Jalshara (Buro Shiva temple)
* Karnagarh (3 temples)
* Kharar (many temples)
* Khirpai (3-4 temples)
* Lachhipur (Sridharjiu temple)
* Laoda (2 temples)
* Loyada (3 temples)
* Narajole (many temples)
* Pathra (34 temples)
* Radhakantapur (two temples)
* Ramjibanpur (many temples)
* Shaulan (Shyama Sundara temple)
* Shrirampur (Lakshmi Janardana temple)

Purba Bardhaman|

* Amrargar (several temples)
* Baidyapur (Jora Deul)
* Bardhaman (many temples)
* Kalna City (many temples)
* Kogram (Mangal Chandi temple)
* Mankar (several temples)
* Sribati (Sri Visweaswara, Sri Bholanath and Sri Chandreswar temples)

Purba Medinipur|

* Alangiri (2 temples + rasmancha)
* Bhagabanpur (Dakhsina Kali temple)
* Dihibahiri (Jagannath temple)
* Egra (Shiva deul)
* Jukhia (Radha Govinda temple)
* Mahishadal (Madan Gopala temple}
* Paikbheri (Shyama Sundar temple)
* Panchrol (4 temples)

Purulia district|

* Achkoda (old atchahlas)
* Anaijambad (Digambar Jain Temple)
* Budhpur (Shiva temple)
* Cheliyama (Radha Binode temple)
* Chharra (old Jain temple)
* Deulghata (old temples)
* Garh Panchkot (old pancha-ratna and other temples)
* Haraktor (old idols)
* Pakbirra (old Jain temples)
* Para (old temples)
* Telkupi (old submerged temples)

See also|

* Bengal temple architecture
* Hindu temples in West Bengal
* Jain centres in West Bengal

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