Kalna City

The first reference to Ambika Kalna is found in a 6th-century text known as the Kubjika Tantra.[2]

According to General Alexander Cunningham, the founder of the Archaeological Survey of India, Ambika Kalna was a frontier city of the Tamralipta kingdom during the 7th century A.D. At that time, a naval base was founded in the city during the reign of Shashanka. Kalna houses the only Chaitanya temple built in Sri Chaitanya's lifetime. It is the abode of pilgrimage for the Barnabites. It was a celebrated place during Mohammedan rule in the 15th century.[2]

The city reached its apex during the late 18th century under the patronage of the Maharajas of Bardhaman, who built several temples with intricate terracotta ornamentation.

According to the 2011 Census of India, Kalna had a total population of 56,722, of which 28,793 (51%) were males and 27,929 (49%) were females. The population below age six was 4,557. The total number of literate people in Kalna was 45,403 (80.04% of the population being over six years of age).[7]

According to the 2001 Census of India, Kalna had a population of 52,176, of which 51% were male, and 49% female. Kalna had an average literacy rate of 84.4%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 90.1%, and female literacy is 78.4%. In Kalna, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.[8]

The steady flow of refugees from East Pakistan swelled the population of the area in the 1950s.[9]

Popularized 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 S ri 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. The temple is nearly 800 years old.

A major attraction is the Nava Kailash or 108 Shiv Mandirs. Built-in 1809, the temples were constructed in two circles. One consists of 74 temples, whilst the other has 34. The former has white marble and black stone shiva lingas, whilst the latter comprises white marble shivling. Due to its ingenious planning, all of the shiva lingas can be seen from the center of the temple complex.

The Krishna Chandra Mandir (1751–1752), with its 25 steeples, depicts several scenes from the epics upon its terracotta walls. Doors remain closed from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Also worthy of note are Lalji Mandir (1739) with 25 steeples, and Pratapeshvara Mandir (1849) of the Rekha style; this temple has magnificent terracotta designs.

Maijir Bari was established in 1752 and has the Shyamchand Radharani Mondir. It has preserved a tradition of nearly 300 years and, even today, festivals such as Dol Purnima, Rath yatra, Jhulan Purnima, Annakot, and Rash are celebrated every year involving the people of the region, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion.

Projapoti Bari is also quite well known and is featured in Kalna cruise port lines as a historical destination. This landmark house has a huge butterfly emblem atop. Hemanta Banerjee, who inherited the house from his father, also owned Sur-O-Sathi. Apurba Banerjee, brother of Hemanta Banerjee, started Kali puja in 1947.

Gopalbari Mandir consisting of 25 steeples signifies a perfect sculpture. On the walls of these Temples, many Terracotta warriors are ornamented. There is an image of copulation engraved here. A hall adjacent to the Temple for devotional dancing and musical performances was erected. It is an indication of traditional sculpture, located in Bhaduri Para.

Gopalbari Temple

In 688, Siddheswari Kali Mandir was established by Rishi-Amburish. The first time the Goddess was worshipped through the ritual of earthen-pot (ghatt). The ghatt sticks to a stone winnowing tray. This auspicious image is made of a single Neem log. This image represents Bamakali Idol. The responsibility of this Goddess was shouldered on the part of -1. Sri Taraprassana Adhikari, 2. Kaliprassana Adhikari and now, the 7th generation personality Sri Sonatan Adhikari and Gopal Adhikari are the priests of this Temple. Long ago scarifies of humans to the altar of the Temple were in vogue. But at present he-goat, sugarcane, gourd, etc. instead of a human. The Goddess is worshipped during the new moon in the month of Kartik.

Ananta Basudev Mandir is situated at Shyamrai Para. The temple is about 250 years old. His Honour, Maharaj Bahktipromode Puri Goswami had renovated this Temple about 60 years back. Now, Maharaj's nephews, nieces, and their husbands have got the responsibility of looking after it. About 250 years back, his Highness Maharaj of Burdwan founded this Temple.

Buddha Mandir is situated at Bara-Mitra-Para it is the oldest Buddhist temple in ‘Purba Burdwan District’ about 37 years old, a small Theravada Buddhist community (Barua) looking after it. in the temple shrine, a six feet tall gold-plated metallic Buddha statue from Thailand and an old marble Buddha statue originating from Burma are the two main attractions.

There is also the famous Tamarind tree, more than 500 years old, below which Sri Chaitanya came and met Nityananda.

In the past, Pathuria Mahal Ghat was used for Ferry-ghat. Now it has got its identity as an auspicious bathing-ghat in the name of Late Naresh Chandra Kumar, an extraordinary personality and donor of the Bathing-Ghat. It is located at Pathuriyamahal, Kalna.

Recently, Kalna Porjoton Utsab is being organized on every winter (2nd Week of January). Since 2014, the entire Rajbari Temple Complex has been illuminated. Ras Manch is the main attraction there in the evening.

Saraswati Puja Pandal

Saraswati Puja is a festival of Kalna, which attracts people from all parts of the state. Large decorated pandals, illuminated with artistic idols, pay homage to Goddess Saraswati.

Another festival of Kalna is Mahishmardini Puja in which people gather from all corners of Kalna Subdivision and even from outside. The puja lasts for 4 days. A fair takes place encircling the religious festival, covering almost half of the area of Kalna. Merry-go-rounds, Toy Trains, Puppet Shows, and Magic Shows are the attractions of the fair.

Kalna College, one of the oldest colleges under the University of Burdwan, was founded in 1943. It is accredited B++ by the NAAC. Kalna Polytechnic was established in 2000. Besides, there are several Higher secondary and secondary schools. Some reputed schools in Kalna:

Kalna College

• Kalna Maharaja's High School
• Ambika Mahishmardini High School
• Hindu Girls' High School
• Mahishmardini Boys Institution
• Mahishmardini Girls' Institution
• Nigamananda High School
• Sasibala Saha High School
• Mayasundari High School
• Gajalaxmi High School
• Acme Academy (ISC Board)
• Holy Child School
• Kalna Polytechnic
• Kalna Primary Teacher's Training Institute

Kalna is famous for rice, food grains, potato, and jute production and the agriculture-based economy is currently flourishing. There are several rice mills and cold storage facilities within Kalna. After the partition of India, many skilled weavers from Dhaka came and settled in West Bengal around Shantipur in Nadia district and Kalna of Bardhaman district, both traditionally renowned centers 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 colors are being produced in the vast weaving belt of Shantipur, Phulia, Samudragarh, Dhatrigram and Ambika Kalna – each center producing superb fabrics in its unique weaving style. Kalna is famous for tangails and gorgeous jamdanis. The produce is marketed through co-operatives and various undertakings. Rakhi and Bindi are manufactured at Kalna. Many people, especially women, are placed at the cottage industry where they earn their living. Several banks like SBI, UBI, UCO, ICICI, Axis, HDFC, BOI, OBC Bank of Baroda, Kalna Town Credit Co-operative Bank (KTCCBL), and PNB have branches in Kalna.

Being situated at the junction of three districts (Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Nadia), Kalna has a well-developed transportation network. The main mode of local transport is cycle rickshaw and auto-rickshaw. In this year, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a River bridge project between Kalna and Shantipur.

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  Nava Kailash Temple
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  Pratapeswar Temple
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  Lalji Temple
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  Ras Mancha at the Kalna Temple Complex in Barddhaman
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  Siddheswari Kalibari
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  Pathuria Mahal Ghat
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  Nava-Kailasha Temple in Kalna
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  Kalna Ras Manch, Illuminated at Night
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  Kalna Temple Complex
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  Kalna Pratapeswar Temple Terracotta Works
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  Krishna Chandraji Temple
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  Lalji Temple Terracotta Works
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  108 Siva Temple Outer circle
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  Group of temples at Kalna in Burdwan, West Bengal
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  Rupeswar Temple in Kalna

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Ambika Kalna.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kalna.

• Website of Kalna