Pandua, Hooghly

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Cities and towns in the Chinsurah subdivision (except Polba Dadpur and Dhaniakhali CD Blocks) in Hooghly district M: municipal city/ town, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly

The place is best known for its minar[2] and the ruins of Pandu Raja's Palace where all important state ceremonies were held.[3] The 13th century minar soars to a height of 125 feet.[4]

Minar

Shahid Shah Safiuddin was the nephew of Feroz Shah Khilji the Sultan of Delhi. It is said that Pandu Raja lived in Mahanad in Hooghly where cow slaughter was totally banned. However the Sultan settled in Pandua for the occasion of his son's circumciscion (Khatnah) ceremony. So he had slaughtered a cow for feast to offer to his guests. This enraged the King and he sacrificed the saint's son to Goddess Kali. Shah Safiuddin went to Delhi and complained to the Firoz Shah Khilji about this horrific incident.The Sultan sent a large army under the command of Jaffar Khan Ghazi during {1290-1295 AD}. Taking the spiritual guidance from his guide Shah Bu Ali Qalandar at Panipat, Pandua was attacked. The imperial army was victorious after a long battle. However Shah Safiuddin was fatally wounded. He was buried at the spot where he fell during the battle, with lot of respect and joy. There remains his Dargah near Pandua GT road. A mosque was also built later.

Shiva carrying the corpse of Sati Devi

The mythology of Daksha yaga and Sati's self immolation had immense significance in shaping the ancient Sanskrit literature and even had impact on the culture of India. It led to the development of the concept of Shakti Peethas and there by strengthening Shaktism. Enormous mythological stories in puranas took the Daksha yaga as the reason for its origin. It is an important incident in Shaivism resulting in the emergence of Shree Parvati in the place of Sati Devi and making Shiva a grihastashrami (house holder) leading to the origin of Ganapathy and Subrahmanya.[5]

Shakti Peethas are shrines or divine places of the Mother Goddess. These are places that are believes to have enshrined with the presence of Shakti due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi, when Lord Shiva carried it and wandered throughout Aryavartha in sorrow. There are 51 Shakti Peeth linking to the 51 alphabets in Sanskrit.

As per 2011 Census of India Pandua had a total population of 30,700 of which 15,597 (51%) were males and 15,103 (49%) were females. Population below 6 years was 2,986. The total number of literates in Pandua was 22,604 (81.56% of the population over 6 years).[8]

As of 2001 India census, Pandua had a population of 27,126. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Pandua has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 72%, and female literacy is 62%. In Pandua, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.[9]

Pandua police station has jurisdiction over Pandua CD Block.[10][11]

The headquarters of Pandua CD Block are located at Pandua.[12]

This is a rich agricultural area with several cold storages.[13]

S.R.Industry, manufacturer of construction and agricultural machinery was established at Pandua in 1996.[14]

SH 13/ GT Road passes through Pandua.[15][16] Pundooah railway station situated on Howrah Bardhaman main line in Pandua.

• Bari Masjid: The meaning of the bari is "the big mosque which shows the incredible architecture styled with Bricks". It was built by Shah Sufiuddin in 14th century.
• Pandua Minar: It was built by Shah Sufiuddin in 1340 AD and it is symbol of victory.

Pandua has a rural hospital (with 30 beds).[17]

• Pandua Image gallery
• Travel article on Pandua by Rangan Datta
• Rangan Datta's Home Page
• Shrinkhala Shaktipith at Pandua
• Penro Mela - Pandua
• Pandua Chhota Minar

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pandua (Hooghly).