Antpur
| Antpur | |||
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 India
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| State : | West Bengal | ||
| District : | Hugli | ||
| Location : | 22 ° 47 ' N , 88 ° 4' E | ||
| Height : | 14 m | ||
| Residents : | 2,548 (2009) | ||
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Antpur (also Aatpur ; Bengali আঁটপুর Ā̃ṭpur ) is a town of approx. 3,000 inhabitants with several historical Hindu temples in the Hugli district of the Indian state of West Bengal .
location
Antpur is located about 52 km (driving distance) northwest of Kolkata at an altitude of about 14 m . The temple cities of Bishnupur and Kalna are a further 95 km to the northwest and 85 km to the north, respectively.
population
The population of Antpur consists almost exclusively of Hindus ; Muslims , Sikhs and members of other religious communities are rarely to be found in the countryside. They speak Bengali and Hindi .
economy
Agriculture (rice, wheat, lentils, peas, etc.) for centuries in the life of the local inhabitants, the most important factor but Antpur is also a regional center of pilgrimage, since several Hindu temples from the 18th and 19th centuries as well as an ashram of Ramakrishna- Mission can be found.
history
Nothing is known about the older history of the place; the first new temples were built in the 18th century. In 1886 Vivekananda in Antpur decided to dedicate his future life to the peaceful coexistence of religions.
Attractions
- The Radhagobinda Temple is one of the most beautiful Bengali temples of the 18th century. It belongs to the two-storey type of aat-shala temple, but has a vestibule ( mandapa ) and is almost completely clad with terracotta reliefs in which gods appear as well as 'beautiful girls' ( surasundaris ), couples in love ( mithunas ), musicians , Dancers and fight scenes. All roofs are pulled down in the corners in the architectural style of the region.
- The almost square Ananta Basudeba temple dates from the same time; it has an octagonal tower tower ( ratna ) above the cella ( garbhagriha ) and shows a somewhat simplified design of the outer walls than the Radhagobinda temple.
- Five smaller and outwardly not very conspicuous Shiva temples from the 18th century are also located in the temple district of Antpur.
- The Ramakrishna - ashram is a meditation and meeting place for the followers of the Indian guru and founder of the sect.
