International Multidisciplinary e-Journal. 22774262. SJIF: 5.744. UGC Approved. (185-191)

POTENTIAL AND CHALLENGES OF TOURISM – CASE STUDY ON SOME SELECTED PLACE OF , WEST

Barun Ganai Assistant Teacher- Guidance Academy, Kalyani, Nadia, ,

INTRODUCTION:

Tourism as well as tourist place of west Bengal has developed centering some historical place, such a historical place is the district Murshidabad. As a historical place it has many sites where we can found the history of our country. Historical place and architecture always attract people. Though in this district has many and architectural site but only one area of Murshidabad enriched by tourism industry. It is the Hazarduari Palace. But in the whole district many place has the same important as Hazarduari, which have a great potentialities for tourism development. But lack of tourist facilities, lack of conservation, absence of documentation and lack of proper promote by local government are the factors that hinder tourism development in these area.

STUDY AREA:

District Murshidabad is located at the central part of state West Bengal in eastern India. In western boundary is attached with state of and eastern edge follows the flow line of River Padma which touch the International boundary of . Geographic terrain of murshidabad is distributed almost symmetrically on the both bank of River Bhagirathi, which flowing north-south. The potential sites I found the right bank of the river.

The district covers an area of 5341sq km., with a population of 5.9 million. It has 26 C.D Block and 5 Sub-Division and Berhampore is the head quarter.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: (i) To identify the present tourism scenario of the district. (ii) To identify and description of potential tourist place. (iii) To identify the present conditions of the sites and major hindrance for the development of tourism.

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METHODOLOGY:

1. The Research Design: To collect and interpret the data obtain from the sites and to describe the objective of the study the qualitative research method is employed. The research is conduct by interviewing method. In order to understand the potentialities of tourism of different place of data were gathered from the local community, elderly people, priest of temples. On the other hand to understand the challenges relating to tourism facilities data are gathered from few tourist by using non-probability convenience sampling, because they are selected randomly based on their availability in the time and space when data are collected. For the purpose of this research, open-ended, semi-structure, face to face interview are conducted. Besides, the researcher‟s own personal observation was employed to generate primary data and to fill gaps of interviews.

2. Data Collection Method: The primary data are collected from interviews and researcher‟s extends observation. Regarding the secondary data researcher has employed published and unpublished sources such as; books, magazine, newspaper and article.

3. Data analysis: In order to analyze the content of books, magazine, news paper and the content of interviews and personal observation the researcher has employed interpretive and descriptive method of analysis.

PRESENT TOURISM SCENARIO OF THE DISTRICT:

Murshidabad district is one of the major tourist destinations in West Bengal for years. Major concentration of tourist is observed in Lalbagh centering the Hazarduari Palace. Lakhs of local and regional tourist assemble here throughout the year. But lack of Govt. Initiative some important places are neglected by the tourist which are surrounded by the Hazarduari Palace.

POTENTIAL TOURIST PLACE OF MURSHIDABAD: SITE DESCRIPTION-

TERRACOTTA TEMPLES OF BARANAGAR (AZIMJANG)-

Near Azimganj is the fascinating Baranagar Temple complex built by Rani Bhabani, the zamindar of Nator(present in Bangladesh).The brick-built temples are considered to be amongst the best example of Bengal Terracotta Art. Rani Bhabani planned to build a „‟ in Bengal. From 1755, a huge complex with a dozen temples was built in Baranagar. Many have since been reduced to dust but a few still stand strong, a testament to the past glory of Bengal. www.shreeprakashan.com [email protected], Vol-6, Issue-6, Jun-2017. Page 186 International Multidisciplinary e-Journal. 22774262. SJIF: 5.744. UGC Approved. (185-191)

 Char-Banglo Temple: This is a small square arena fenced by four massive temples (a quadrilateral configuration of four temples). Each one is built on a 1.5 feet high foundation and is dochala(two roofed) hut shaped, a fine example of Bengal architecture. Temple wall were decorated by terracotta art scenes from the Hindu epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharat.  Bhabaneswar Temple: The Shiva temple of Bhabaneswar was built by Tarasundari, daughter of Rani Bhabani, in 1755 is 18 metre high with a massive dome on top and decorated with fresco works, both inside and outside of the temple.  Jor Banglo Temple: The Jor Banglo temple was built by Rani Bhabani in the 18th century is the finest specimen of Bengal Terracotta temples. It exhibits Bengal‟s unique style of surface terracotta art. This mandir has a subset of three Shiva Mandir. It is located about a km. from Char- Banglo Mandir. It consists of twin Ek-Bangla temples with the porch heavily ornamented and standing on three arches. The main entrance face is west.

JAIN TEMPLES OF AZIMGANJ: Seven Jain temples are present in the Azimganj town. These can play for religious tourism center specially Jain community. . Sri Sambhaunathji Temple: Constructed by Rai Dhanpat Singhij in 1833. This temple is having the largest Swetamber Jain Idol in Eastern India. . Sri Sumatinathji Temple: Constructed by Uttam Chandji Nahar in 1913 and rebuilt in Samvat 1954 by Setab Chandiji Nahar. . Sri Chintamani Parasnathji Temple: Founded in 1888A.D. Some of the Idols are between 400-500 years old, constructed by Manhot Family. . Sri Shantinathji Temple: Founded in 1873 A.D. One of the Idol in the temple is of Samvat 1510. Constructed by Gulab Kumari Bibi. . Parasnath Mandir: Founded in 1870 A.D. and is one of the oldest temple. . Sri Padam Prabhuji Temple:Constructed by Bijai Chandji Kaattarga Chhit in 1880A.D. Some idols are between 400-500 years old. . Sri Nimnathji Temple: Founded in Samvat in 1943.

DAHAPARA DHAM: Jagadbandhu Dham, also known as Dahapara Ashram is situated at Dahapara, Azimganj. It is the birth place of Sri Sri Prabhu Jagadbandhu Sundar. Prabhu Jagatbandhu Sundar was an ascetic vaishnava preacher who propounded the philosophy of Bhakti yoga and Hari nam sankirtan in various parts of Bengal during the late 19th century in the www.shreeprakashan.com [email protected], Vol-6, Issue-6, Jun-2017. Page 187 International Multidisciplinary e-Journal. 22774262. SJIF: 5.744. UGC Approved. (185-191) post Chaitanya era. He was born in May 1871 in a poor but learned brahmin family of Dahapara. His father was a brahmin scholar Dinanath Nyayaratna and his mother was Bama Devi. He lost both his parents quite early in his life and was brought up by his elder sister. He spends the most part of his life in Faridpur, Bangladesh. Prabhu Jagatbandhu travelled widely in his youth and attarcted thousands of people who came to him and devoted their lives to hari bhakti (devotion to the supreme lord). The last 20 years of his life were spent in Mahagambhira Lila - an almost continuous state of meditation and trance when he confined himself in a small cottage isolating himself from the outside world. He left this human form on 17 September 1921. The ashram founded by Sri Kunjadas Brahmachari, is set in picturesque surrounding. Worship of Prabhu Jagadbandhu's image and Annual Birth Anniversary are being performed there with all earnestness.

KRITESWARI TEMPLE: The Kireetkona village is just five km. from Dahapara rail station, where the Kriteswari mandir situated. It is the oldest temple in the district murshidabad. It is one of the 51 Sakti Peeth(sati peeth)and it is where Sati‟s „kirit‟ or crown fell at kireetkona village. She is also named as „Mukuteshwari‟(as her Mukut or crown fell).It is a famous Hindu temple of West Bengal.

The unique feature of the temple is the absence of any image or deity. The red coloured stone which is supposed to be the symbolic representation of the Goddess is covered by a red veil throughout the year. The veil is changed only on Ashtami of each Durga puja.

The old temple built by Bhagwan Roy was southern entranced and the new one built by Darpanarayan, a successor of Bhagwan Roy, was eastern entranced.

 Festival and Ritual: Festival are held at Durga Puja, Kali Puja, and Amavasya (new moon). The special ritual is held on the Ratanti Amavasya(no moon light) with whole night Yagna and other special ritual. On every Tuesday of the month of Poush(mid Dec. to mid Jan) a beautiful rural fair is held.  Legends about the temple: In the 18th century many sadhaks from different parts of the country came here and did their sadhana and attained salvation. It is also said that Mirjafar before his death came here and took the „Charnamrito‟(the holy water of the lotus feet of the deity after his great birth).  Gupta Mandir: Situated opposite to the temple where veil of the deity were preserved for years. There are many shiva temple located here and there.

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RATNESWAR SHIVA TEMPLE OF BHATTABATI:

According to legend, during the reign of Alauddin Husain Shah (1494-1519 AD), the independent Sultan of Bengal, around 1200 Bhatta Brahmin families from Karnat of Southern India came to settle down at this place. Hence the place got its name as Bhattabati (Residences of the Bhattas) or Bhattamati (Land of the Bhattas). The Ratneswar Temple is said to have been built during the early 18th century when the second Qanungo of Bengal Joy Narayan , used to live here at Bhattabati, while the first Qanungo Darpa Narayan stayed at Dahapara. It is not known who built this temple and precisely when. This Pancha-Ratna (Five Pinnacle) Shiva Temple with exquisite Terracotta Arts, is possibly the most beautiful temple in this district and can easily stand favourable comparison with any terracotta temple in West Bengal.

This single door of the temple faces south. On one side of the entrance are incidents from the life of Ram. The other side has terracotta figures depicting Lord Krishna's life. At the base of the entrance there are rows of terracotta soldiers. The central panel has scenes from daily life, with some panels showing the King watching dancing girls.

PRESENT CONDITIONS AND CHALLENGES THAT HINDERED TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THOSE AREA:

On the above discussion it can be easily says that these places are considered as cultural, heritage, religious and spiritual tourism centre. Though these area have a great potential for the development of tourism, yet they are not fully utilized to the extent of the potential due to various hindering factors. Most of the important hindering factors are similar. o Baranagar and Azimganj area: Fastly, Azimganj is an old city and the famous Jain temples are scattered here and there. There are no route maps for visiting those temples. Most of the temples are private ownership, so they provide tourist facilities only jain community tourist came from different parts of the country. The transport system is very poor and roads are narrower. On the way to Baranagar road demarcation is absence. Proper vehicles is also absent. Due to Lack of proper conservation of the terracotta temples they are destroyed in many places. Most of the surroundings areas of the temples are unhygienic. There are absences of tourists basic facilities like; toilets, water also. o Kriteswari, Dahapara and Bhattabati area: Kriteswari temple compound is open to all. There is no boundary of the temple complex. Way to this temple from the nearest railway station is very hard due to bad road condition. There is no demarcation on the way to this www.shreeprakashan.com [email protected], Vol-6, Issue-6, Jun-2017. Page 189 International Multidisciplinary e-Journal. 22774262. SJIF: 5.744. UGC Approved. (185-191)

temple. Temple is conserve by the local people only. A dormitory room had been constructed by the local government for serving tourist facilities but it is closed throughout the year, open only in the time of festival. Tourist facilities are totally absent in this area.

Dahapara Dham is nice place for those travellers who spent their time one day only. This Dham compound has a scenic beauty but for the development of tourism it faces the same problems as kriteswari temple area. Fooding and logging facilities is present only in Dham compound but not sufficient. Very few amount of tourist came here but they do not stay here for absence of others facilities.

Ratneswar Shiva Temple is an example of very fine terracotta art of Bengal, but this temple compound is captured by the local people. They are unconsus about this important resource. Only a board of Archaeological Survey of India is hanging on in the temple complex. At present the temple is in very bad condition. No documentation about this temple is found.

CONCLUSION: As a whole it can easily say that the Azimganj and its surroundings area have great potentialities for the development of tourism, but different hindering factors, the potentialities of these sites are not properly utilized and flow of tourist is not satisfactory. Lack of documentation, lack of well-organized information, poor conserving system, lack of awareness of these sites and also the absence of proper tour guide, the main hindering factor that affect the tourism development.

RECOMENDATION:

1. The fundamental problem hindering the progress of tourism in these area is the absence of good quality and efficient transportation system. The road transport system is very poor. Tourists have to travel by van or rickshaw. To overcome this problem a good transportation system may be implemented.

2. Rickshaws are not available for going to the sites and also there is no standard rate. Local rickshaw pullers very often demand unreasonable fare for travelling these spot. To overcome this problem local authority may standardize the rickshaw fare and display a fare chart in all rickshaw stand and railway station.

3. In the junction of road and in railway station a route map of tourist spot may be display. Which helps to tourists to travel the spot. www.shreeprakashan.com [email protected], Vol-6, Issue-6, Jun-2017. Page 190 International Multidisciplinary e-Journal. 22774262. SJIF: 5.744. UGC Approved. (185-191)

4. Preservation and restoration works should be undertaken as soon as possible. Specially for terracotta temple.

5. Kriteswari temple compound may be play a role as a religious, heritage and also a recreational tourist spot if proper maintain.

6. Dahapara Dham plays a role as an accommodation of tourist.

7. Local people and local government should promote these area as a tourist place through different printing and electronic media.

REFERENCES:

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3. Zelaem Getnet Ambaw. “Potential and Challenges of Entoto Saint Mary Church to Heritage Tourism Development” , Journal of Hospitality and Management Tourism, 6(5)(2015), 47-59

4. Subrata Pan, Premangshu Chakraborty, “Heritage Tourism in Bishnupur, West Bengal” , Wesleyan Journal of Research, vol5.1(june-2012), 1-9

5. Rai, Nikhilnath.(2006), “Murshidabader Itihas”, K.P.M. Publication, Kolkata.

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