Introduction

The city of Chandannagar is located about 35 km north of Kolkata and is headquarters of the Chandannagar subdivision of Hooghly district. The city spreads over an area of 19 sq. km. The official languages spoken here are Bengali and English, but since Chandannagar used to be a French colony, the cultural language spoken here is French. The current mayor of this city is Sri Ram Chakraborty.

Etymology of Chandannagar

The bank of the river Hooghly is crescent shaped like the moon and in Bengali, Chand means moon and Nagar implies city, hence originally the name of the city was actually Chander-Nagar or Chandra Nagar. Another reason behind the name is that the city of Chandannagar used to be a major hub for the trade of Sandal and in Bengali Sandal means chandan. The city also has a temple dedicated to Goddess Chandi, so the origin of the name might also be because of that. But in earlier times, when the city used to be a French colony, before India gained its independence, people knew this place by the name Farasdanga, which means "France donmgi". In Bengali, Farasi means French and danga refers to land. The name Pharasdanga has also appeared in several Bengali literature.

History of Chandannagar

History of Chandannagar traces back to the year 1673, when it was a French colony in India. French colonization occurred immediately after the French were granted permission to install a trading post on the right banks of Hooghly River by the Nawab of Bengal, Ibrahim Khan. During that period, the province of Bengal belonged to the Mughal Empire. Chandannagar later became a French settlement in the year 1688 and Dupleix was declared the new governor of this city during 1730. It is said that under the supervision of Francois Dupleix, over 2000 brick houses were constructed in the town and maritime trade started flourishing. Till a particular period of time, Chandannagar was a significant centre which promoted European commerce in the province of Bengal.

In the year 1756, a violent battle took place between Great Britain and France. During this point of time, Admiral Charles Watson of the British Navy as well as Robert Clive, of the British English East India Company bombed and conquered Chandannagar on 23rd March, 1757. Thereafter, the fortifications of this beautiful town were destroyed and it gradually began losing its importance as a major spot of commercial and business activities. This was due to the fact that it started being overshadowed by the city of Kolkata, which was nearby. During 1763, the French were able to regain administrative control of the region of Chandannagar before it was again recaptured by the British in Napoleanic Wars, in about 1794. However, it was again restored back to the French in the year 1816 and it was ruled as a portion of French India. This continued till 1950 and Chandannagar remained under the jurisdiction of the governor general in Pondicherry. The industrial significance of this region faded by 1900 and it started developing from a silent suburb of Kolkata to a town bustling with several sophisticated residences along the riverside.

Following the independence of India from the British Raj in the year 1947, particularly during June 1948, it was discovered that around 97 percent of the regional inhabitants of Chandannagar desired their birthplace to be a portion of India. The Indian government was permitted by the French to exercise de facto administrative control over Chandannagar in May 1950. However, it was only on 2nd February, 1951 that the area was officially handed over to India, as part of its territories. During 9th June, 1952, the De Jure transfer occurred and on 2nd October, 1955, Chandannagar was absorbed into the eastern Indian state of West Bengal.

Culture of Chandannagar

The major socio-cultural event in the city of Chandannagar is the Jagaddhatri Puja, which attracts massive crowds from all over the state of West Bengal. Here, the beginning of the puja probably dates back earlier than 1750. The date of the community Jagaddhatri Puja in Chandannagar was 1790. In those days Robert Clive called the place "Loxmigonj "of Chandannagar as the Granary of Bengal. The Jagaddhatri Puja at Chaulpotty, also commonly known as the rice market in Loxmigonj is probably the historic example of the ancient community Jagaddhatri Puja. The festivities bring people together and bridges the past and the present. One of the main attractions of the Jagaddhatri idol of Chandannagar is the ornamental decoration of the Goddess with sola and the beautiful canvas of mats with paintings at the back of the image. It is said that the procession here is the second longest in the world, after Rio de Janeiro"s.

Tourism in Chandannagar

Tourism in Chandannagar is inclusive of the wide variety of tourist destinations which attract innumerable tourists throughout the year. The Underground House or Patal Bari, Sacred Heart Church of Chandannagar, Chandannagar Strand, Nritya Gopal Smriti Mandir and Chandannagar Museum and Institute are some of the numerous exciting tourist spots located here.

Chandannagore Strand : Chandannagore Strand is a celebrated tourist locale which is situated along the pavement of Ganga River, and is flanked by beautiful lights and trees. It measures about 7 metres in width and 1 km in length and is surrounded by some of the most famous historical buildings. Visitors find the charm of Chandannagar Strand quite appealing, especially the calm breeze ands the sight of boats sailing across the river. A meditation centre named Vivekananda Mandir is also present along this place. The Chandannagar Strand is considered to be the best adorned bank of Ganga River, along its whole length measuring 2, 500 km.

Chandannagore Museum and Institute : Previously referred to as `Institut de Chandernagor`, the Chandannnagar Museum and Institute is believed to be the most marvellous and ancient museums of the entire area. A large quantity of French artefacts like wooden furniture belonging to the 18th century, and some cannons employed in the Anglo-French wars are displayed inside this old museum. Lessons in French language are imparted to people in the premises of this museum.

Sacred Heart Church of Chandannagar : The Sacred Heart Church of Chandannagar is yet another specimen of architectural beauty of the French era. It was preciously called `l`Eglise du Sacr‚ Cour` and is above two centuries old. The remains of the Church of St. Louis are also existent near this church and this area is visited by numerous tourists as well as historians.

Underground House or `Patal-Bari` : This reputed historical building depicts the unique aesthetic excellence of the architecture which was prevalent in ancient eras. The lowest floor of this Patal Bari or Underground House is said to have submerged in the waters of Ganga River. Rabindranath Tagore, the noted Bengali poet, playwright and nobel laureate had also paid a visit to those historical building and resided here off and on. The Patalbari inspired Tagore and enabled his intellectual capabilities to flourish greatly, probably due to which he included the name of Patalbari in several novels composed by him. Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar is also said to have sought refuge in this house, which was owned by some `zamindars` who stayed in Bansberia.

Ancient Temples of Chandanangar : Chandannagar is home to some magnificent ancient temples, some of which are dedicated to Lord Shiva while others are dedicated to Goddess Kali. The idols of all these deities in these temples portray outstanding artistic appeal. The Nandadulal Temple, which was built in 1740, by Indranarayan Roychoudhury is a reflection of ancient Indian sculptures.

Nritya Gopal Smriti Temple : This temple was erected by Sri Harihar Sett and donated to the local residents of Chandannagar. Presently, the Mandir acts as a library and a theatre hall. The Nritya Gopal Smriti Mandir possesses a large collection of books in Bengali, French and English language.

Residences of Renowned Personalities : Chandannagar boasts of containing the dwellings of certain famous personalities who are well-known for their immense contribution to Indian history and also the society of our nation. At Fatokpara, the paternal house of Rash Behari Bose, the revolutionary leader is located. Sri Harihar Sett and Kanailal Dutta were also amongst the influential local inhabitants of this region. Jatindranath Bandopadhyay and Upendra Nath Bandopadhyay, who founded a daily Bengali newspaper known as `Dynik Basumoti` were dwelt in Chandannagar.

Bishalakhsmi Temple : Bishalakshmi Temple is located in the western portion of railway station, near Brahmin Para, Bowbazar. However, the origin of this old temple is clouded in mystery. Regional people of Chandannagar worship the deity of this temple regularly.

Amusement Park : Chuti Park, KMDA and New Digha are the three amusement parks located in the western side of Chandannagar which are quite popular.

Jagadhatri Puja in Chandannagar

A symbol of sattva, Goddess Jagadhatri is an aspect of the Hindu Goddess Durga and is particularly worshipped in the states of West Bengal and Odisha. The Jagadhatri Puja in Chandannagar is celebrated with immense pomp and glory and it is one of the major regional festivals observed in this part of the country.

History of Jagadhatri Puja in Chandannagar : The ancient history of Jagadhatri Puja in Chandannagar is unknown even today and is probably known to date back earlier than 1750. It is heard that Indranaryan Chowdhury introduced the Jagadhatri Puja in Chandannagar in the manners similar to Raja Krishnachandra of Krishnanagore. Jagadhatri Puja was performed in the residence of Indranarayan Choudhury, which was based in Chandannanagar during the period when Krishnachandra had borrowed money from the former. It is believed that Raja Krishnachandra was impressed by this Puja during that point of time. The Goddess Jagadhatri has been mentioned in `Tantrasaar` by Krishnachandra.

This Puja is generally practised on the ninth day in the Bengali month of `Kartika` and finds a mention in Srnath Acharyachuramoni`s `Krityatattarnab` during the 16th century. Seated on a lion with an elephant near its feet, Goddess Jagadhatri has 4 hands and holds a bow, discus, shaft and conch in each of her hands. A snake is used to symbolise a sacred thread of the Goddess. The festivities bring people together and bridges the past and the present. One of the main attractions of the Jagaddhatri idol of Chandannagar is the ornamental decoration of the Goddess with shola and the beautiful canvas of mats with paintings at the back of the image. It is said that the procession here is the second longest in the world, after Rio de Janeiro"s.

The quantity of community pujas exceed 190 and are existent mainly in the areas of Bhadreswar, Champdani Municipal areas and Chandannagar. There are about 132 Puja Committees in Chandannagar as well as Bhadreswar and they are affiliated to Chandannagar Central Jagadhatri Puja Committee. The regional inhabitants of this area enjoy the festive fervour during the days of celebration of Jagadhatri Puja and even during the immersion procession of this Puja. A vast number of tourists and devotees crowd Chandannagar to catch sight of the elaborate, tall and decorated idols of Goddess Jagadhatri, loaded on the trucks.

Visiting Information on Chandannagar

The city of Chandannagar is about 35 km from Kolkata by roads via the Grand Trunk Road or the Delhi Road. The nearest railway station is Chandannagar station which is connected to the Howrah station located at about 33 km and the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at Kolkata is the closest at a mere distance of about 40 km.