UpdateBot at 17:52, 1 February 2022

2022-02-01T17:52:50Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Begunkodar
| other_name = বেগুনকোদর
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Census Town (CT)
| image_skyline = RasMancha at Begunkodor in Purulia district.jpg
| image_alt =
in Purulia district.jpg
| image_caption = RasMancha at Begunkodor in [[Purulia]] district
| pushpin_map = India West Bengal#India3
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal, India
| coordinates = {{coord|23.3528|N|86.0566|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type =
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}} jhalda
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[West Bengal]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Purulia]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Jhalda]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = Local Body
| governing_body = Gram panchayat
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 3
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 6347
| population_as_of = 2011 census
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = 1965
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[English language|English]], Hindi
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code = 723202
| registration_plate =
| website =
| footnotes =
}}

'''Begunkodor''' ([[Bengali language|Bengali]]: বেগুনকোদর) is a [[census town]] in the [[Jhalda II]] [[Community development blocks in India|CD block]] in the [[Jhalda subdivision]] of the [[Purulia district]] of [[West Bengal]] near its border with [[Jharkhand]], situated 46 km away from district town Purulia. Jhalda is the sub division headquarter of the census town which is 8 km away.

==Geography==
{{OSM Location map
| width=350| height=340| zoom=10
| coord={{coord|23|19|0|N|86|3|20|E}}| float=left|caption='''Places in Jhalda subdivision in Purulia district''' M: municipality, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical/ religious centre, C: craft centre, T: tourist cetre Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
|mark-coord1={{coord|23|23|42|N|85|59|54|E}} | label-pos1=left|label1= Chekya| numbered1=CT| mark-title1= [[Chekya]] (CT)|label-color1= #800000 |label-size1=11| mark-size1=12|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1=#A40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2
|mark-coord2={{coord|23|21|10|N|86|3|23|E}} | label-pos2=right|label2=Begunkodor| numbered2=CT| mark-title2= Begunkodor (CT)|shape-color2=black| label-size2=13|label-color2=black 
|mark-coord3={{coord|23|25|52|N|86|8|57|E}} | label-pos3=top|label3=Jaypur| numbered3=CT| mark-title3= [[Jaypur, Purulia]] (CT)
|mark-coord4={{coord|23|22|12|N|85|58|12|E}} | label-pos4=right|label4= Jhalda| numbered4=M| mark-title4= [[Jhalda]] (M) |shape-color4=#800000
|mark-coord5={{coord|23|25|16|N|86|12|28|E}} | label-pos5=right|label5=Agharpur| numbered5=R| mark-title5= [[Agharpur]] (R) |shape-color5=#C42222
|mark-coord6={{coord|23|30|19|N|86|4|34|E}} | label-pos6=right|label6=Ananda Nagar| numbered6=R| mark-title6= [[Ananda Nagar, Purulia]] (R) |shape-color6=#C42222
|mark-coord7={{coord|23|11|50|N|86|3|0|E}} | label-pos7=left|label7=Baghmundi| numbered7=R| mark-title7= [[Baghmundi]] (R) |shape-color7=#C42222
|mark-coord8={{coord|23|18|37|N|85|53|46|E}} | label-pos8=right|label8=Jargo| numbered8=R| mark-title8= [[Jargo, Purulia]] (R) |shape-color8=#C42222
|mark-coord9={{coord|23|24|47|N|86|4|46|E}} | label-pos9=right|label9=Jiudaru| numbered9=R| mark-title9= [[Jiudaru]] (R) |shape-color9=#C42222
|mark-coord10={{coord|23|24|22|N|86|4|12|E}} | label-pos10=left|label10=Kotshila| numbered10=R| mark-title10= [[Kotshila]] (R) |shape-color10=#C42222
|mark-coord11={{coord|23|21|20|N|85|57|11|E}} | label-pos11=right|label11=Masina| numbered11=R| mark-title11= [[Masina, Purulia]] (R) |shape-color11=#C42222
|mark-coord12={{coord|23|11|2|N|86|3|50|E}} | label-pos12=left|label12=Patardi| numbered12=R| mark-title12= [[Patardi]] (R) |shape-color12=#C42222
|mark-coord13={{coord|23|22|45|N|85|53|26|E}} | label-pos13=right|label13=Tulin| numbered13=R| mark-title13= [[Tulin]] (R) |shape-color13=#C42222
|mark-coord14={{coord|23|11|44|N|85|53|37|E}} | label-pos14=right|label14= Suisa| numbered14=H| mark-title14= [[Suisa]] (H) |shape-color14=#AA6666
|mark-coord15={{coord|23|12|30|N|86|1|53|E}} | label-pos15=left|label15=Charida| numbered15=C| mark-title15= [[Charida]] (C)| shape-color15=#AA6666
|mark-coord16={{coord|23|12|34|N|86|7|49|E}} | label-pos16=right |label16= Ajodhya Hill Top | numbered16=T|shape-color16=green| mark-title16= [[Ajodhya Hills]] (T)
|mark-coord17={{coord|23|11|44|N|86|5|29|E}} | label-pos17=right |label17= Purulia Pump|labela17=Storage Project | numbered17=T|shape-color17=green| mark-title17= [[Ajodhya Hills]] (T)
|mark-coord18={{coord|23|12|25|N|86|5|5|E}} | label-pos18=top |label18= Bamni Falls | numbered18=T|shape-color18=green| mark-title18= [[Ajodhya Hills]] (T)
|mark-coord19={{coord|23|19|3|N|86|3|17|E}} | label-pos19=right |label19= Murguma Dam | numbered19=T|shape-color19=green| mark-title19= [[Ajodhya Hills]] (T)
|mark-coord20={{coord|23.2984|85.8626}}| label20= Subarnarekha River| label-color20 = #77A1CB| label-angle20=-55| label-pos20=top| label-size20=10| mark-size20=0| mark-title20 =none
|mark-coord21={{coord|23.2894|N|86.0506|E}}| label21= Ajodhya |labela21= Hills| label-color21 = #C42222 | label-angle21=0| label-pos21=bottom| label-size21=10| mark-size21=0| mark-title21 =none
|arc-coordA={{coord|23|27|0|N|85|51|0|E}}|arc-textA= JHARKHAND| arc-text-colorA=hard grey| arc-angleA=-50| arc-gapA=3.5| arc-radiusA=0.43}}

===Location===
Begunkodor is located at {{coord|23.3528|N|86.0566|E|display=inline}}.

===Area overview===
Purulia district forms the lowest step of the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]]. The general scenario is undulating land with scattered hills. [[Jhalda subdivision]], shown in the map alongside, is located in the western part of the district, bordering [[Jharkhand]]. The [[Subarnarekha River|Subarnarekha]] flows along a short stretch of its western border. It is an overwhelmingly rural subdivision with 91.02% of the population living in the rural areas and 8.98% living in the urban areas. There are 3 census towns in the subdivision. The map alongside shows some of the tourist attractions in the [[Ajodhya Hills]]. The area is home to Purulia [[Chhau dance]] with spectacular masks made at [[Charida]]. The remnants of old temples and deities are found in the subdivision also, as in other parts of the district.<ref>Houlton, Sir John, ''Bihar, the Heart of India'', 1949, p. 170, Orient Longmans Ltd.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook |title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Purulia |work = Tables 2.1, 2.2 |publisher = Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal |accessdate = 12 January 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190121045803/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook |archive-date = 21 January 2019 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.wbtourismgov.in/destination/district/purulia| title = Purulia | work= Department of Tourism| publisher = Government of West Bengal |accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.utsavpedia.com/cultural-connections/indian-performing-arts/chhau-dance-of-purulia/| title = Chhau dance of Purulia| publisher = Itsavpedia |accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/DCHB/DCHB_A/19/1914_PART_A_DCHB_PURULIYA.pdf| title = District Census Handbook: Puruliya – Series 20, Part Xii A, Census of India 2011| work= Page 102: Brief Description of Places of Religious, Historical or Archaeological Importance and Places of Tourist Interest of the District |publisher = Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal |accessdate = 28 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://rangandatta.wordpress.com/2018/04/25/deuli-harup-and-suisa-crumbling-temples-scattered-statues-and-single-room-museum-purulia-district/#more-32881| title = Deuli, Harup and Suisa, Crumbling Temples, Scattered Statues and Single Room Museum| publisher = Rangan Dutta/ Wordpress |accessdate = 21 January 2020}}</ref>

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.

===Weather===
yearly average rainfall of the census town is 150 mm. Maximum temperature here reaches up to 40℃ in summer where as it falls up to 5℃ in winter.

==Demographics==
The Begunkodor census town has a population of 6347 of which 3242 are males while 3105 are females as per report released by census India 2011. Female sex ratio is of 958 against state average of 950. In Begunkodor, male literacy rate is around 66.21% while female literary rate is 44.99%.

===Religion===
Hindus constitute 98% of the total population and are the largest religious community in the census town followed by Muslims who constitute 2% of the total population.

==Infrastructure==
According to the ''District Census Handbook 2011, Puruliya'', Begunkodor covered an area of 3.2276 km2. There is a railway station at [[Jhalda]] 8 km away. Among the civic amenities, it had 3 km roads with both open and covered drains, the protected water supply involved overhead tank, uncovered well, hand pump. It had 950 domestic electric connections and 44 road light points. Among the medical facilities it had 3 dispensaries/ health centres, 8 medicine shops. Among the educational facilities it had were 9 primary schools, 1 middle school, 1 secondary school, 1 senior secondary school, the nearest degree college at Jhalda. It had 2 old age homes. Among the social, recreational and cultural facilities it had 1 auditorium/ community hall, 1 public library. Three important commodities it produced were vegetables, paddy and mustard. It has branches of 1 nationalised bank, 1 private commercial bank, 1 cooperative bank, 1 agricultural credit society and 2 non-agricultural credit society.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/DCHB/DCHB_A/19/1914_PART_A_DCHB_PURULIYA.pdf | title = District Census Handbook Puruliya, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A | work= Section II Town Directory, Pages 1073-1083 Statement I: Status and Growth History, Pages 1006-1010; Statement II: Physical Aspects and Location of Towns, Pages 1010-1015; Statement III: Civic and other Amenities, Pages 1015-1019; Statement IV: Medical Facilities 2009, Pages 1019-1027 Statement V: Educational, Recreational and Cultural Facilities, Pages 1027- 1029: Statement VI:Industry and Banking | publisher = Directorate of Census Operations V, West Bengal |accessdate = 30 January 2020}}</ref>

==Tourism==
Begunkodor has its own scenic beauty around it. Situated at the river bank of Saharjore river it is surrounded by Ayodhya hill range and is only 3.5 km away from Murguma dam, which itself is a popular picnic destination & best sunset place. The Historic Thakurbari and Rashmela in Begunkodor is preserved by Archeological department of West Bengal and visited by thousands of tourists every year. The haunted railway station of Begunkodar is also popular as "ghost station".

==Transportation==
Begunkodor is well connected with the District Town Purulia and subdivision town Jhalda through roads. Around 30 buses regularly run between Begunkodor to Purulia and vice versa. Nearest Railway station is [[Begunkodor railway station]] and nearest town Jhalda, which is 8 km away, is well connected through buses and autos. Regular Night service Bus service is also available between Begunkodor to Kolkata, which is 350 km away from the town.

== Railway Station ==

=== History ===
Begunkodor got [[Begunkodor railway station|its station]] due to the joint efforts of the queen of Santals (the original inhabitants of the villages nearby) and [[Indian Railways]] in the year 1960.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Talwar|first1=Rajesh|title=Begunkodor: The Haunt is Over|url=http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=7227|website=www.boloji.com|accessdate=2 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103011539/http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=7227|archive-date=3 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===The story of the railway station===
However, the ill-fated station ran into unforeseen troubles just 7 years later. According to the villagers, in 1967, a railway employee reported the sighting of a woman's ghost, and it was rumored that she had died in a railway accident. The next day he told people about it and they ignored him. The real trouble started when the dead bodies of the station master and his family were found in their quarters.<ref name="tt">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071225/jsp/bengal/story_8707498.jsp|title=Ghost who spooks trains - After 35 years, bid to open haunted station|accessdate=2009-09-03|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]}}</ref><ref name="TOI">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4966102.cms|title=Ghost station back on track|date=2009-09-03|accessdate=2009-09-03|publisher=[[Times of India]]}}</ref> The station was subsequently closed as railway trains stopped making halts here.<ref>{{cite news|title=West Bengal’s Begunkodor no longer a haunted railway station|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/west-bengals-begunkodor-no-longer-a-haunted-railway-station/article22335045.ece|accessdate=2 January 2018|agency=PTI|publisher=The Hindu|date=30 December 2017}}</ref>

===Reopening in 2009===
[[Basudeb Acharia]] said that railway employees had made up the story to avoid being posted there. In the late 1990s the villagers formed a committee and asked the officials to reopen the station. About a decade later, in August 2009, the railway station was finally reopened as a passenger train halt, by former Railway minister [[Mamata Banerjee]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8236178.stm|title=BBC NEWS {{!}} World {{!}} South Asia {{!}} 'Haunted' Indian station reopens|website=news.bbc.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-08-06}}</ref> However, regularly 10 trains halt here, with the last train being on 10.30pm. However, passengers still avoid using the station after sunset. Many ghost hunters have visited the station repeatedly confirming that there is no presence of ghosts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.totaltraininfo.com/station/BKDR/|title=BKDR / Begunkodor Railway Station {{!}} Train Arrival / Departure Timings at Begunkodor|website=www.totaltraininfo.com|language=en|access-date=2017-08-06}}</ref>

In December 2017, a group of nine rationalists spent a night at the station, and found no evidence of any ghosts or spirits.<ref>{{cite news|title=West Bengal’s Begunkodor no longer a haunted railway station|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/west-bengals-begunkodor-no-longer-a-haunted-railway-station/article22335045.ece|accessdate=2 January 2018|agency=PTI|publisher=The Hindu|date=30 December 2017}}</ref>

==References==
<references/>
{{Purulia District}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Purulia district]]

Begunkodor - Revision history

UpdateBot at 17:52, 1 February 2022