Bankura, a district with high tribal population, is situated in the western part of
West Bengal. It is hemmed by the districts of
Bardhaman in the north,
Purulia and
Midnapore in the south, Midnapore and
Hooghly in the east, and Purulia in the west. Bankura District, which lies north of the river Dhaleshwari, extends over an area of 6,882 sq km. The population is 3 million. The headquarters is
Bankura town.
The district has good climatic conditions and irrigation facilities, favoring agriculture. Rice, wheat, corn (maize), and sugarcane are the major crops. The Mejia thermal power plant provides sufficient power for the district. Major industries include rice and oilseed milling, cotton weaving, metal-ware manufacture, and railway workshops.
Bankura is rich in natural beauty, with large tracts of forests, hills and gleaming rivers. There are a number of temples and places of historical significance. The Raghunath Mandir, built in the year 1639 with terracotta sculpture, the Ekteshwar Mandir, the Methodist Missionary Church, and the Christian College are some of them.
Mukutmanipur,
Bishnupur, Jhilmili are the main tourist spots. The rich cultural heritage of Bankura is reflected in their traditional crafts such as Baluchari sarees, Dogra items and Terracotta arts. The high-necked terracotta horse from Bankura has become a symbol of excellence in Indian handicraft.
