Labpur is a census town located in the Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum District of West Bengal, where one can see the Mayurakshi River and the landscape beauty. It is the native place of Tarashankar Bandopadhyay and one of the 51 Shaktipeethas. It is an extensive rural area subject to droughts in summer followed by occasional floods from the Laghata River to the east. Labpur is located at 23.83 degree north to 87.82 degree east. It has an average elevation of 35 meters. Labpur lies in the flood plains of Mayurakshi River and when water is released from Massanjore Dam and Tilpara barrage in large quantities, flood waters wreak havoc in the area.
Demography of Labpur
According to the 2011 Indian census, Labpur had a population of 5,419 out of which 2,762 were males and 2,657 were females. Population below 6 years was 443. The total number of literates in Labpur was 4,193.
Economy of Labpur
Traditionally there are weekly markets, which are known as "haat". The people of Labpur sell pottery and wooden materials, iron materials, baskets, seeds etc in the markets. They are also associated with cultivation.
Festivals of Labpur
Labpur is famous for the celebration of Durga Puja, followed by Jagdahatri Puja and Rath Yatra. The annual feast of Lord Krishna is also celebrated in Labpur. Another great festival of this region is the Fullara Mela, which is held on the first full moon of Bengali month of Magh. The annual celebration of Laxmi Puja, Kali Puja and the Village Goddess Rakhkha Kali are also celebrated here.
Tourism at Labpur
Labpur consists of several tourist attractions like Fullara Temple, Bele, Gobinda Sagar, The Sadars, Zamindari Rajbari of Labpur, Thakur Badi, house of Tarashankar Bandopadhyaya, Jagadhatri Mandir etc.
House of Tarashankar Bandopadhyaya: This is the prime tourist spot of this region. Tarashankar Bandhopadhyaya was born in Labpur and he started writing from this place. Many of his writings carry vivid descriptions of this place. His ancestral drawing room (Baithak Khana or Kachari Bari) has now been turned into museum exhibiting things used by the writer. The houses are now maintained by Government of West Bengal and an NGO jointly.
Fullara Temple: Fullara Temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeethas - lips of Parvati fell at Fullara. There is a big pond beside the temple. According to the folklore, Lord Hanuman collected 108 blue lotuses from the pond when Sri Ramachandra required them for the worship of goddess durga.
Bele: There is another attraction in Labpur, the hot pond of Bele, which has medicinal values. This is actually a part of Laghata River dissected off earlier. From this pond once, a statue of Lord Krishna was found. It is located by the side of Rathtala region of Labpur.
Visiting Information to Labpur
Labpur is 30.6 km away from Shantiniketan. Nearest railhead of this place is Labpur Railway Station and nearest airport is Kolkata Airport. Labpur can also be reached by road by accessing the State Highway 6.
