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Baranagar, Murshidabad
Baranagar (also referred to as Baronagar, Barnagar) is a village in the Murshidabad-Jiaganj CD block in the Lalbag subdivision of Murshidabad district in the state of West Bengal, India. Geography  
8km 5miles B A N
G
L A D E S H
Kiriteswari Temple H 
Rosnaiganj H
Nashipur H
Baranagar H
Gorba Nala
Bhairab River
Jalangi River
Padma River
Bhagirathi River
Khushbagh H
Shaikhpara R
Sagarpara R
Sadikhanr Diar R
Raninagar R
Kasbagoas R
Jalangi R
Domkal R
Bhagirathpur R
Ranitala R
Nasipur R
Nabagram R
Lalgola border checkpost R
Krishnapur R
Kismattatla R
Bhagawangola R
Azimganj M
Jiaganj M
Murshidabad M
Islampur CT
Harharia Chak CT Cities, towns and locations in the Lalbag and Domkal subdivisions, Murshidabad district M: municipal town, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical place Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly LocationBaranagar is located at 24°15′20″N 88°14′30″E / 24.2556°N 88.2416°E. Area overviewWhile the Lalbag subdivision is spread across both the natural physiographic regions of the district, Rarh and Bagri, the Domkal subdivision occupies the north-eastern corner of Bagri. In the map alongside, the Ganges/ Padma River flows along the northern portion. The border with Bangladesh can be seen in the north and the east. Murshidabad district shares with Bangladesh a porous international border which is notoriously crime prone (partly shown in this map). The Ganges has a tendency to change course frequently, causing severe erosion, mostly along the southern bank.[1][2][3][4] The historic city of Murshidabad, a centre of major tourist attraction, is located in this area. In 1717, when Murshid Quli Khan became Subahdar, he made Murshidabad the capital of Subah Bangla (then Bengal, Bihar and Odisha).[5] The entire area is overwhelmingly rural with over 90% of the population living in the rural areas.[6] Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivisions. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map. DemographicsAccording to the 2011 Census of India, Baranagar had a total population of 1,721, of which 913 (53%) were males and 808 (47%) were females. Population in the age range 0–6 years was 202. The total number of literate persons in Baranagar was 1,212 (79.79% of the population 6 years).[7] Culture_being_a_synopsis_of_the_history_of_Murshidabad_for_the_last_two_centuries,_to_which_are_appended_notes_of_places_and_objects_of_interest_at_Murshidabad_(1905)_(14590229089).jpg) About Baranagar, the book writes, "Opposite to Sadeqbagh, on the west bank of the river, about a couple of miles from the Azimganj Railway Station, is Barnagar, formerly the residence of Rai Udai Naraen of Rajshye. Here lived, on the banks of the sacred Bhagirathee, the famous Rani Bhowani, who spent enormous sums of money in founding endowments and charitable institutions and gave away rent free lands to numerous Brahmins. She was a most talented lady, possessing extraordinary business habits. Her piety and devotion were unparalleled and her good name as a pious, devout, liberal and actively benevolent lady has become a household word in Bengal." The text appearing after the image reads, "In the early widowhood of her daughter, Tara, she experienced a great misfortune. On the occasion of her marriage, Rani Bhowani had consulted the best Pandits and astrologers of Benares, Mithila, the Deccan &c. They fixed a most auspicious day, when Taras marriage took place. But her husband died shortly after. When the decision of the learned men was reviewed, it was found that they had omitted to notice the Saptashalaka, which took away from the day its auspicious character and made it a most evil day for the performance of marriage. The temples of Bhubaneswar Siva and Rajrajeswari built by Rani Bhowani and of Gopal built by Tara, still exist, the workmanship being excellent. Her son, Rajah Ram Krishna, was a devout Sakta." David J. McCutchion focuses on several temples at Baranagar:[8]
According to the List of Monuments of National Importance in West Bengal the Bhavaniswar Mandir and the Char Bangla group of four Siva Mandirs are ASI listed monuments.[9] Rani Bhabani (1716–1795) was wife of Raja Ramakanta, zamindar of Natore, in Rajshahi district, now in Bangladesh. After she became a widow at the age of 32, she ran her zamindari smoothly and earned fame for her philanthropic activities. According to Shyamal Chaterji, researcher on Hindu iconography, "It is said that Rani Bhavani wanted to build 108 temples here at Baronagar on the shore of the Ganges to lift the status of this settlement to that of Varanasi. She stopped at 107; I have not heard any story about the reason." Only a few of the temples are in good shape.[10] Baranagar picture gallery
Transport Poradanga halt railway station, on the Barharwa–Azimganj–Katwa loop, is located nearby.[11] Country boats are available for travel between Ajimganj and Baranagar. [12] References
External links
 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Baronagar.
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