Village in Murshidabad selected as the “Best Tourism Village in India”

Baranagar village in Murshidabad Jiaganj, located at 24.2556°N 88.2416°E in West Bengal, has been selected as the “Best Tourism Village in India” in the “Agri-Tourism Village Category.”

The Best Tourism Villages Competition is an annual event conducted by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, that aims to ‘honour a village that best exemplifies a rural tourism destination.’ 

Villages that showcase renowned cultural and natural assets and preserve and promote community-based values, goods, and lifestyles are chosen for the competition. This initiative promotes the commitment of the villages towards sustainability in all of its aspects—economic, social, and environmental. Its goal is to make tourism one of the drivers of positive change, rural development, and community well-being.

Baranagar is located at Jiaganj Block and Lalbagh Sub Division of Murshidabad district. One of the oldest villages in West Bengal, Baranagar attracts tourists from all over the world for its historic and heritage monuments. The Palace of Rani Bhabani and the Baranagar Terracotta Temple Complex are majestic facades built in the 18th century by Rani Bhabani and are among the most popular heritage spots. 

Under Rani Bhabani’s reign, the village was known as the ‘Varanasi of Bengal’ because of its many temples. From the Char Bangla Temple with its triple entrance, 1760, to the temples of Bhubaneswar Siva and Rajrajeswari built by Rani Bhowani and of Gopal built by Tara, they still exist. The workmanship is an excellent example of the artistry of that time. These temples are dedicated to different deities from the Hindu pantheon: Shiva, Vishnu, and Kali. The temple’s terracotta facade depicts scenes from Hindu myths, legends, and folktales. Sometimes they also feature scenes from daily life. These temples are considered to be some of the finest examples of the Bengali school of architecture. 

The ‘Baranagar Temple Complex” is a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims who want to appreciate the rich culture and religious heritage of Bengal. The “Baranagar Temple Terracotta Complex” consists of: Char Bangla Temple, Bhabaniswar Temple, Raj Rajeswari Temple, Gangeswar Temple, Panchmukhi Shiva Temple, Siddheswari Temple, Aadya Temple, and Binod Temple.
 
In the book The Musnud of Murshidabad by Majumdar Purna Chandra (1704–1904), published in 1905, he writes about Baranagar;

"Opposite to Sadeqbagh, on the west bank of the river, about a couple of miles from the Azimganj Railway Station, is Barnagar, formerly the residence of Rai Udai Naraen of Rajshye. Here lived, on the banks of the sacred Bhagirathee, the famous Rani Bhowani, who spent enormous sums of money in founding endowments and charitable institutions and gave away rent-free lands to numerous Brahmins. She was a most talented lady, possessing extraordinary business habits. Her piety and devotion were unparalleled, and her good name as a pious, devout, liberal, and actively benevolent lady has become a household word in Bengal."
 
Baranagar is renowned for their handicrafts. The locals who reside in the village are involved in several activities that sustain their lifestyles but also elevate their ecosystem. The people of Baranagar promote sustainable activities and ensure that the heritage of the village survives generation after generation through rural handicrafts and regional food products. 

Baranagar village is also renowned for its weaving trade, especially for the production of fine cotton fabrics like Baluchari, Jamdani, and Tangail. Local markets and fairs are set up by the villagers to exhibit and sell bamboo cane crafts and pottery products to tourists as well.
 
The locals of Baranagar have taken up many initiatives to make their village a tourist-friendly destination. The women of the Self-Help Group run a local sanitary toilet complex in the vicinity of the temple complex and sell food and beverages like milk products, jam and jelly, puffed rice, pickles, etc. for the convenience of the tourists.

There are also many homestays that have opened in the village for tourists to stay overnight. They are constructed keeping in mind the comfort of the travellers who visit Baranagar.