Podrah

Podrah or Padmarajpur* (*as known in ancient times) is a neighbourhood of South Howrah in Howrah district in the Indian state of West Bengal. This area falls under the jurisdiction of Sankrail PS of Howrah City Police. It consists of many small localities like Shibtala, Barowaritala, Vivekananda Nagar, Natun Pally, Chunavati, Balaji Nagar, Halderpara, and Vidyasagar Pally. Podrah is a part of the Howrah Dakshin (Constituency No: 173) Vidhan Sabha Constituency.

Podrah also a census town under Sankrail CD Block of Howrah Sadar subdivision. It houses one of the largest multispeciality hospitals in the district of Howrah, NH Multispeciality Hospital.

HISTORICAL PLACES

Podrah Mahakali Mandir,
located at Podrah Barowaritala.

It is been maintained by Podrah Barowari Samity (Estd. 1893).
The organization maintains the 132 years old Maha Kali Mandir. It was the year 1893. Human history was on the last decade of 19th century. The time period was one of the golden periods of Bengal flourishing in spirituality, literature, arts, science, mysticism, nationalism etc. Late 19th century Bengal must be equated with the rise of nationalism, education, ideas, enlightenment and empowerment. Bengali legendary names emerged in this era are like Ma Sarada Devi, Vivekananda, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Girish Chandra Ghosh, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, Rishi Aurobindo Ghosh etc. and many more were still walking on their feet on this great soil of Bengal. Subhash Chandra Basu, Satyendra Nath Bose, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Sarala Devi Chaudhurani, Pritilata Waddedar and many were their notable successors. During this era, these visionaries were roaring on their peak in the process of reforming the society of Bengal and Bharatvarsh on human progress and spiritual evolution through their intellect, outlook, social work etc. Embedded in this was a severe pushback of anti-West conservatism and a harking back to Hindutva that formed the core of a parallel, exclusionary nationalism. Vandemataram already became a household blood boiler in this period. During this time in 1893, inspired by the above legends, blood boiled energetic youths in the village of Padmarajpur (currently known as Podrah) in Bengal, decided the uplift the spirituality among the people of the area. Thus, they established the Padmarajpur Mahakali Mandir in 1893. (currently known as Podrah Kali Mandir). Later, in 1923, the mandir also started celebrating Durga Puja every year, alongside Kali Puja. Since then, the tradition is continuing and this year in May-2025 we celebrated the completion of 133 years of Kali Puja and Mandir. Along side, in 2025, 103 years of Durga Puja will be celebrated. The successors of those young energetic youths from 1893, carry forwarding this age-old tradition till today.

Geography

Podrah is flanked by Santragachhi and Green Park in the North, Shibpur in the East, Garden Reach and the Ganges River in the South and Mullick Para Lane, Chunabhati Road and Mourigram in the West.

Demographics

Podara was a part of the Kolkata Urban Agglomeration in 2011 census.

As per the 2011 Census of India, Podara had a total population of 21,589, of which 11,220 (52%) were males and 10,369 (48%) were females. The age of 91.54% of the population is above 6 years and while 2,143 people were younger than 6. The literacy rate is 82.45%.

Transport

Andul Road (part of Grand Trunk Road/ State Highway 6) is the artery of the town.

Bus

Private Bus

* 61 Alampur - Howrah Station
* 80 Chunabhati - Howrah Station

Mini Bus

* 13 Ranihati - Rajabazar
* 13A Fatikgachi - Rajabazar
* 20 Alampur - Ultadanga Station
* 20A Mourigram - Salt Lake Tank no. 13

Bus Route Without Number

* Andul railway station - New Town Ecospace

Train

Mourigram railway station on Howrah-Kharagpur line is the nearest railway station.

Education

Podrah is home to many educational institutions:

* Howrah South Point School
* St. Xavier's High School
* Narayana School
* Oxford High School
* Maria's Day School
* Kidzee Pre-school
* The George Telegraph Training Institute
* Westbank School of Nursing
* LN Model School
* Rahi Kid's Planet School
* SIP Abacus Learning Center
* ITEIdeal Institute of Technical Education
* Painting School of Fine Arts SFA Podrah, Podrah Board Primary School, Andul Road, Near NH Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Dist- Howrah, Pin- 711109, West Bengal, India.
* RYCSM Computer Learning Center
* ICan Learning Center
* Youth Computer Training Center
* Podrah High School
* Goaberia High School
* Podrah Mahakali High School
* Podrah Board Primary School

References

{{Kolkata neighbourhoods

Cities and towns in Howrah district
Neighbourhoods in Kolkata
Kolkata Metropolitan Area