Kamarpukur

Kamarpukur is located at 22.91°N 87.65°E / 22.91; 87.65.[2]

The Arambagh subdivision, presented in the map alongside, is divided into two physiographic parts – the Dwarakeswar River being the dividing line. The western part is upland and rocky – it is extension of the terrain of neighbouring Bankura district. The eastern part is flat alluvial plain area. The railways, the roads and flood-control measures have had an impact on the area.[3] The area is overwhelmingly rural with 94.77% of the population living in rural areas and 5.23% of the population living in urban areas.[4]

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.

A mile to the north of Kamarpukur, is situated the village of Harishova or Bhursubo where a well-to-do person named Manik Raja lived. The renowned tanks of Sukhasayer and Hatisayer excavated by him as also the mango-grove now almost extinct in the nearby meadows, testify to some of his noteworthy acts.

On the western border of Kamarpukur, the canal Bhutir-Khal flows in a zigzag course from the north to the south and joins the Amodar River at a little distance.

Two cremation grounds called Budhui Moral and Bhutir-Khal lie on the north-east and north-west of the village respectively. Along the eastern border of the village a spacious road runs from Burdwan (32 miles from Kamarpukur) to Puri in Orissa.

To the south-east are the ruins of Gar Mandaran and the ancient temple of Saileswara Shiva, which bear witness to the prosperous days of the Pathan rulers.

About 30 miles to the east, is the temple of Tarakeswar Shiva, which is connected with Kamarpukur by a road running via Jahanabad (or Arambagh). Besides this, Ghatal (18 miles to the south) and Vishnupur (30 miles to the west) are joined with Kamarpukur by another road that abuts on the aforesaid road to Puri, after passing through the village via Kotulpur and Koalpara.

Three miles to the west, is Jayrambati, the village in which the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi was born.

Goghat-II CD block map showing GP areas

Kamarkupur gram panchayat (GP) is a constituent GP of Goghat–II community development block in Arambag subdivision of the Hooghly district.[5]

The small house at Kamarpukur where Ramakrishna lived (centre). The family shrine is on the left, birthplace temple on the extreme right

It was at Kamarpukur that Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was born in 1836 in a poor Brahmin family. With his advent and on account of the frequent visits of his disciples and devotees, this hamlet has become a place of pilgrimage. Thousands visit it every year from the various parts of the world and get spiritually refreshed and elevated.

Through the help of the devotees and the management, and of the monks of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, the temple of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, with his marble statue installed in it, was built in 1951 at Kamarpukur. Later developments include the construction of guest houses, a library, a dispensary and schools and the re-excavation of the tank called Haldarpukur.

Vishalakshi Temple - Situated at Anur, around 2 km from Kamarpukur, goddess Vishalakshi is a popular deity. People vow offerings to the goddess with the hope that the goddess will fulfil their desire. Not very long ago the goddess resided under the open sky at the place where the present temple is situated. Villagers were used to construct an ordinary leafy shed every year before the Makar Sankranti (Mid-January) when a fair was organised. The tradition of the fair is being followed till today. One anecdote, associated with goddess Vishalakshi, states that Gadadhar (Sri Ramakrishna in his childhood) was accompanying a group of pious ladies in their way to offer worship to goddess Vishalakshi. When he was singing the glory of goddess Vishalakshi, suddenly his body became stiff and tears flowed down his cheeks. Seeing these ladies realised that it might be due to the mystic influence of the goddess on the simple-hearted child. They immediately started praying to goddess Vishalakshi to save Gadadhar. Wonder! Gadadhar woke up with a brightened face.

Goddess Vishalakshi at Anur

The headquarters of Goghat II CD block are located at Kamarpukur.[7]