Introduction

Haldia is a town of Purba Midnapore district, which falls under the jurisdiction of a municipality in the Indian state of West Bengal. Amongst all the people of India, Haldia town is also popular for its huge seaport that is situated near about 50 kms south-western part of Kolkata. It is just built near the mouth of the River Hooghly that is considered to be one of the distributaries of the River Ganges. There is another importance of the Haldia city. The Indian Coast Guard has built their base in the town of Haldia. There is a `hover-port`, which can provide accommodation to two of the six hovercrafts owned by the Indian Coast Guard. Haldia city is highly acclaimed as a main port for trading in Kolkata, which entailed chiefly for huge cargoes.

Demography of Haldia

According to the census report of 2011, Haldia city had a total population of 200,762. Males comprises of 53 % of the population while female dwellers comprises of 47 %. Children below the age of 6 years constitutes of 13 % of the population of the city of Haldia. Haldia has an average literacy rate of 89%. Male literacy rate is 79 % and female literacy rate is as high as 98 %.

Climate of Haldia

The climate of city of the Haldia is a typical moderate one. During winter season, the temperatures range from 8 to 12 degrees Celsius. Summer seasons are hot, sultry and humid with temperatures rising up to 40 degrees of Celsius. Rainfall is modest, and the rainy months held between the months of May and September.

Festivals of Haldia

Festivals of Haldia comprise numerous regional festivals like Ratha Yatra, Durga Puja, Vishwakarma Puja, Vasa Utsav and several others. The annual fair of Mahishadal is quite attractive and is thronged by innumerable tourists. During the monsoons, Haldia teems with millions of devotees and tourists who make merry during all these festivals.

Ratha Yatra : The festival of Ratha Yatra is celebrated with pomp in Mahisadal, in the region of Purba Medinipur. This occurs in the Eastern Indian state of West Bengal during June or July. Ratha Yatra is a grand festival which deals with worshipping Lord Jagannath. Bright lights and beautiful flowers are utilized to adorn the local temples. Numerable devotees approach this place to pull the ropes of the `Chariot of the Lord`, or the `Ratha`. Ratha Yatra is used to mark the journey of Lord Jagannath to his aunt`s temple, along with his sister Subhadra and brother Balarama.

Moyna Rasmela : Moyna Rasmela festival is interwoven with ancient traditions and customs. Several local inhabitants, irrespective of caste and creed are united in the celebration of Moyna Rasmela. The festival of arranging this fair had started in the year 1561 to 1562, on the full-moon day of the month of Karika. In the year 2009, the 44th Ras festival was arranged. The intricate details of the fair are administered by the Moyna Rasmela Committee.

Durga Puja : Goddess Durga is worshipped during the month of autumn and is known to be one of the grandest festivals enjoyed by the Hindus in the state of West Bengal. Elaborate pandals are created to perform the rites and rituals of Durga Puja. Some of the most renowned pujas in Haldia include Durgachak Puja, Hazramorh Puja and many others.

Vishwakarma Puja : Vishwakarma Puja is performed with gaiety in the area of Haldia. Lord Vishwakarma is revered as the chief divine engineer who is believed to have created the world with diligence and creativity. As many as 2000 pandals are built to worship the Lord Vishwakarma and dance, `yatra` and magic are used to entertain the people. However, nowadays, this puja is performed as a community festival which is done in the regional villages and towns of Haldia for a period of three days.

Vasa Utsav : The Vasa Sahid Utsav is organized in Haldia during the months of June and July. The Haldia Municipality is in charge of arranging the Utsav. Several poets and literates from West Bengal and also from within Haldia migrate to this place during this Utsav. Various types of debate and discussions are also conducted in a `kavita sabha` which takes place in Haldia.

Temples of Haldia

Temples of Haldia are the representatives of ancient religious heritage of India. Dedicated to different deities, the temples attract a number of pilgrims and tourists. The temple structures exhibit influences of the architectural styles of different eras. Haldia has a splendid natural beauty and the location of the temples amidst the magnificent landscapes makes them even more attractive from tourism perspective.

Gopaljew Temple : Gopaljew Temple was established in the year 1778 by the Rani Janaki Devi. Lord Krishna is the presiding deity of the temple. In 1967, the ancient idol of the temple was stolen and later new ones were placed in the temple. Dubey Palace, also known as Dewan House, is situated besides the temple.

Ramjew Temple : Ramjew Temple was also built by Rani Janaki Devi. The temple originally had two idols Lord Rama, two idols of Sita, one idol of Lakshmana and one of Lord Hanuman. However, these idols were stolen in the year 1967. Later, brass idols were installed in the temple. The temple has a height of about 90 feet.

Bargabhima Temple : Bhargabhima Temple is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess `Tara` which is another avatar of Goddess Kali. The idol housed in the temple is quite ancient. According to mythology, Devi Bargabhima created Tamralipta which was once a great port of ancient India. Maharajas of Mayur dynasty established this temple in the 5th century BC. The temple is 60 feet tall and comprises of three fold walls. It is believed that the sculpturing of the temple was done by Lord Vishwakarma. Historians also hold the opinion that the temple has replaced an ancient Bouddha Vihar.

Ramkrishna Mission Temple (Natshal) : Mahishadal Natshal is known for housing exquisite natural beauty and serenity. In 1917, Ramkrishna Mission Movement was initiated here by Swami Premananda who was a direct disciple of Sri Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Dev. Srimad Swami Shyama Nandji laid the foundation stone of Ramkrishna Mission Temple in the year 1927. The temple is painted in saffron colour and the Ashram surrounding the temple creates an ambience of `Tapabans` that existed in ancient India. Natshal is situated on the bank of Rupnarayan River. The place has also earned fame owing to the archaeological excavations that revealed artefacts older than Harappan civilization.

Muktidham Temple : Muktidham Temple is located on the way from Kukrahati to Chaitanyapur. Marble of milky white colour forms the structure of this elegant temple. Goddess Kali, Lord Hanuman and Radhakrishna are the presiding deities of the temple. The idol of Goddess Kali has been placed in the middle. A Shiv temple is located at the opposite of the temple. A beautiful garden with fruits, flowers and vegetables adorns the temple complex. The temple was established in the year 1984, on the birthday of Shri Ramkrishna Paramhansa Dev, which was a Buddha Purnima that year.

Industries in Haldia

In the present day, Haldia has become an icon for industrial development of that state of West Bengal. Various industries, both big and small, have thronged the region over the years. These include South Asian Petrochemicals Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Exide, Shaw Wallace, Tata Chemicals, Petrochemical complex (Haldia Petrochemical) and Hindustan Lever and also a variety of light industries. Haldia Petrochemicals, which has been established in the city and also being the 2nd largest of Indian Territory.