West Bengal culture

The culture of West Bengal is considered to be

one of the richest cultures in India. The Capitol
Kolkata (Calcutta) is called the Cultural capital of
India. The state also takes the credit for being
the pioneer of cosmopolitan culture in the
country. Over the years, the culture of West
Bengal has emerged as the perfect blend of
modernity &traditions.The sanctity of the Ganges
Hooghly, the beauty of Eastern Himalayas, the
diversity of Sunderbans and the freshness of the
Tea Gardens, the beaches, the historical
monuments, all blend together to constitute what
we call the unique culture of West Bengal.
Bengali culture also has its root in Bengali music,
Bengali cinema and Bengali literature. The
delicious Bengali cuisine also forms an important
constituent of the state's cultural heritage. The
colours and participation of people of religions,
categories in the festivals along with wide range
of Creative Arts and crafts now being adored all
over as “Biswa Bangla
 West Bengal food and
cuisine

Bengali food that originated and evolved in the region of Bengal situated in the eastern
subcontinent of India (presently divided into West Bengal in India and a separate nation called
Bangladesh) is rich and varied in its platter starting from snacks to main courses to sweets.
Although the food habits, tastes, preferences and choice of items vary with different districts,
communities and religions, the basic course generally remains the same with rice and fish
playing a dominant role. Probably this is why a Bengali is often typified as a ‘Maache-Bhaate-
Bangali’ where Maach means fish and Bhaat means boiled rice in Bengali.

 Jhal Muri
This light snack made from puffed rice, spiced up and zinged with lemon, is
famous and so delicious that apparently even the British love it. True story!

Begun Bhaja

Any Bengali meal is incomplete with the uninterrupted crunching sound of

this equally crunchy fried eggplant snack.

Chor Chori

A vegetarian delight, chor chori is a fresh mix of vegetables like potatoes, brinjal, cauliflower
and pumpkin flavored with the famous 'panch phoron'.

Alur Dom
Although there are different ways to prepare this dish made of potatoes, it continues to
be a hit in the regular Bengali household.
West Bengal festivals
West Bengal is a land of festivals. There is a popular
saying in Bengali ‘‘Baro Mase Tero Parban’: it literally
means thirteen festivals in twelve months. Almost all
festivals of all religions are celebrated here with equal
religious sentiment and fervor. The people of West
Bengal strive hard to maintain the tradition and culture
of its land in the festivals they celebrate. A great
number of fairs are also organized. The most popular
festival celebrated in West Bengal is Durga Puja where
all the people come out in the streets and celebrate
this four day festival. Other festivals celebrated in West
Bengal are Kaali Puja, Basant Panchami, Dushera, Bahi
Dooj, Holi, Mahavir Jayanti, Buddha Jayanti, Rathyatra
and Christmas. Other events which have almost taken
the form of festivals are Rabindra Jayanti (birthday of
Rabindranath Tagore), Birthday of Sri Ramakrishna
Paramahamsa and Birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra
Bose. 
Kali Puja
The festival of Kali Puja is not an ancient one. Kali Puja was practically unknown before the 18th
century, however a late 17th century devotional text Kalika mangalkavya by Balram mentions an
annual festival dedicated to Kali. It was introduced in Bengal during the 18th century, by King
(Raja) Krishnachandra of Navadvipa. Kali Puja gained popularity in the 19th century, with
Krishanachandra.

Durga Puja
Durga Puja is the most important Hindu festival of the Bengalis. This festival is celebrated in
the month of October, throughout the West Bengal. During this festival, the people from all
over India and world visit West Bengal to enjoy the festival. All the government offices,
educational institutions and law courts are closed during the festival. Durga Puja is the most
important festival in the city of Kolkata. The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil.
This festival is celebrated for five days and marked by prayers to goddess Durga, feasts,
rejoicing, music, dance and drama. On this day, the people wear new clothes and visit all the
community Pujas and worship the ten-armed. Goddess Durga, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Ganesh
and Kartikeya in beautifully illuminated and decorated pandals. The priests perform the
prayers at appointed times while the devotees visit these pandals throughout the day.
Politics of west Bengal
Politics in West Bengal is dominated by the following major
political parties: the Trinamool Congress, the Indian National
Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and
the Bharatiya Janata Party.
In 1977 the Left Front won the state assembly elections, and
the state was ruled by communists and other left groups till
2011. The erstwhile left front led West Bengal state government
holds the Indian record for the longest period of governance.
Until 3 November 2000, Jyoti Basu was the Chief Minister of
the state. After his resignation, due to health
reasons, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee became the Chief Minister
of West Bengal who continued in office until 13 May 2011.
In the run-up to the 2011 elections, the state witnessed several
violent clashes between the workers of the opposition parties
and the ruling left party cadres.[1]
In the 2011 Assembly Election, the Trinamool Congress- Indian
National Congress alliance won by a huge margin with Mamata
Banerjee becoming the first woman chief minister of West
Bengal after 34 years of Communist rule.
In the 2016 Election, Congress and Left Front formed an
alliance, and the election witnessed a three-way contest
between their alliance, Trinamool Congress, and BJP.
Heritage of west bengal
the history of West Bengal is long. From the north to south of the state, the cultural heritage of
West Bengal deserves immense study.  From the snow-capped peaks visible from Darjeeling to
Indo-Islamic architecture, terracotta temples to the modern city of Kolkata where the past is
intertwined, West Bengal has a lot to offer. Here are the five best heritage destinations of West
Bengal

Darjeeling
Tucked beneath the snow peaks of Mt Kanchenjunga and enveloped by tea gardens, Darjeeling
and its sister cities, Kalimpong and Kurseong, together offer a unique look into the cultural
heritage of West Bengal, influenced by the Himalayas, Buddhism and colonial legacy. The
colourful monasteries, with their statues, frescoes, thangkas and votive objects are repositories of
knowledge and art. The colonial legacy lives on through the tea gardens, home to the ‘champagne
of teas’, Darjeeling Tea. Do not miss a ride on the UNESCO World Heritage Train, the
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), popularly known as the Toy Train. Pay a visit to the
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) of Darjeeling if you are keen to know about the
history of mountaineering in India.
Connected to Kolkata via nearest airport Bagdogra, railway station New Jalpaiguri and road
transport hub Siliguri, the circuit can be visited round the year though travel may get hampered
during the monsoon.

Malda
Better known for the mangoes produced here, Malda is also the gateway to explore an ancient
capital of Bengal. Gour (Gaud), to the south of Malda town, was founded by King Sasanka in the
7th century and conquered by the Muslims towards the fag end of 12 th century. You can see
remnants of Islamic architecture mostly dating between 14 th and 17 th centuries, in Gour and
neighbouring Adina. Baroduari or Boro Sona Mosque with its Indo-Arabic architecture and
ornamental stone carvings; Dakhil Darwaza; the 26-metre high Firoze Minar (Chirag Dani);
Lukochuri Gate, Chika Mosque, Kadam Rasul Mosque, etc. are some of the key attractions of
Gour. Lying north of Malda town, is Adina, known for its eponymous mosque, ruins of Turkish
baths and a deer park. Pandua (lying about 20km north of Malda town) was the capital of the later
Muslim rulers and two of its key attractions are the Kutubshahi Mosque and the Eklakhi
Mausoleum (said to be one of the earliest square brick tombs in Bengal). Jagjibanpur (36km from
Malda town) contains centuries old ruins, including that of a Buddhist monastery.
Connected to Kolkata (nearest airport) by road and rail, Malda is the meeting point of Eastern and
North Eastern Frontier Railways.

Murshidabad
Mosques, tombs, museums, etc. of Murshidabad speak of the life and times of Nawabs of Bengal.
It was by defeating Nawab Sirajuddaula in the eventful Battle of Plassey that the English East
India Company turned into rulers from traders. Some of the popular attractions include
Hazarduari Mueum, Katra Mosque, Jagat Seth house, Khosbagh, light and sound at Motijheel
Park, etc. Adding a surprising element to the cultural heritage of West Bengal is Azimganj-
Jiaganj in Murshidabad district. Here you will find households and temples still maintained by
Jain merchant families who arrived here from Rajasthan centuries ago. The Char Bangla temple
built by Rani Bhavani of Natore (now part of Bangladesh), located in Ajimganj, is known for its
decorative terracotta panels.
Baharampur is the major transport hub connecting Murshidabad to Kolkata (nearest airport) by
road and rail. For a luxurious and royal heritage homestay, you may visit Cossimbazar Roy’s
Palace (Cossimbazar Chhoto Rajbari).

Bishnupur
One of the most popular destinations exhibiting the rich cultural heritage of West Bengal is
Bishnupur, about 130km by road from Kolkata. The temples, dating between 17th and 18th
century, with their decorative terracotta panels are the biggest attractions here. Jorebangla Temple
with its typical Bengal style roof joined together, Madan Mohan temple, the five-spired Shyam
Rai Temple, etc., speak volumes about the architectural heritage of Bengal. The pyramidal Raas
Mancha seen here is a unique structure. Bishnupur is home to indigenous silk textile, especially
the Baluchari sari. The terracotta art lives on through the clay toys and other decorative artefacts
manufactured here. It is also home to the Dasavatara (Ganjifa cards) cards and patachitra (scroll)
paintings.
Bishnupur may be covered in a day tour from Kolkata. Budget overnight accommodation
available.
Kolkata

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, offers a diverse look at the architectural and cultural heritage
of West Bengal. While north Kolkata is known for its old mansions, the central business district
of Benoy-Badal- Dinesh Bag (Dalhousie Square) is famous for its colonial buildings. Kolkata is
the only city in India where the tram still survives. Apart from the Academy of Fine Arts, the city
also has a few notable private art galleries. The socio-religious heritage of the city is exemplified
by the various temples, mosques and churches in the city. Take a walk along the lively riverfront
lying to the west of the city.
Occupation of west Bengal
Agriculture is the main occupation of the
people of West Bengal. Majority of the
population is involved in the farming sector, as
cultivators and agricultural labors. Industries
are also a major source of employment in
Bengal. There are more than 10000
registered factories in the state. Apart from
the alloy steel plant at Durgapur, there are
several other steel plants in the state. The
colliery at Asansol is also a large employment
provider in the state. Other than this, the
centre has set up a numerous industries in the
areas of tea, sugar, chemicals and fertilizers.
Tea and jute plantation in West Bengal also
generate a lot of job. People here are also
involved in banking and education sector.
People & Lifestyle Of West Bengal
People with different racial, regional and cultural origins live in West Bengal. However, an
impact of the Bengali culture is evidently visible on all the residents of the state. The zeal of
festive mood, the tendency of relishing good food, the intellectual aura and the love for
literature, music and football is commonly seen in majority of the people in West Bengal. The
cosmopolitan Bengali culture, with a blend of traditional sanctity in it, is something that
makes Bengal a unique state. Read on to know more about the basic traits of Bengali
people.

Racial Composition
West Bengal, because of its accessible location near sea, has been the entry gate of India
since long. Today, the inhabitants of the state demonstrate a prolific inter mixture of five
distinct racial strains. The oldest stratum of the population found here is Proto-Australian in
origin. However, these five main racial strains of Bengal have become so inextricably
intermixed that it is almost impossible to find a pure racial type in the population.

Religion
Hindu and Muslims dominate the population of West Bengal. The minority religions practiced
in the state are Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity and Jainism. The people of Bengal live with
mutual peace and harmony. Throughout the year there is a festive mood in the state, as
each season brings a plethora of festivals along with it. Durga Pooja is celebrated with same
joy and grandeur in the state as Id. The cuisines and the culture of West Bengal also
demonstrate the inextricable blend of its existent religions.

Education
The literacy rate of West Bengal is 69.72 %. There is free primary education in rural West
Bengal and in the most of the municipal areas. Even the books are available free of cost to
the students of rural parts. Girl's education in the state is free up to standard VIII.
Costume of west Bengal people
West Bengal Dress - Traditional Dress of West
Bengal That Are Every Collector's Pride!
Saree
No image of Bengali women is complete without the six-yards of elegance that
defines Bengali saree. A host of traditional techniques practised on pure cotton
and silk, authentic motifs and drapes of the Bengali saris spell unique charm,
sensuousness and allure at the same time. Below are some of the choicest types
of Bengali sarees that one just cannot give a miss

Types of saree

Dhakai Jamdani

Korial and Garad

Baluchari Sarees

Tant Sarees

Tussar Silk Sarees

Muslin Cotton

Kantha Silks and Cottons

Murshidabad Silk Saree

Dupattas
While the traditional attire for Bengali women is the saree, contemporary sartorial
choices also include kurtas and salwars that are paired with exquisite dupattas (drapes)
and stoles that come in traditional weaves, motifs and colors. So, if you are the one that
prefers the desi chic, just pair a beautiful lush silk or cotton dupatta in Jamdani or
Kantha with your favorite kurta and add some authentic Bengali elegance to your
persona!

Panjabi and Dhoti

The traditional attire for men in Bengal is a 'Panjabi', which is the equivalent of north-
Indian kurta, paired with a dhoti- a plain loincloth in cotton or silk. Panjabis can be either
short or long ending up to knees. What distinguishes Panjabis from the usual kurta is
the authentic Bengali fabric that can range from tussar silk, cotton-silk or muga-silk
embroidered with kantha around neckline or buttonholes. Garad silk kurtas in the
shades of beige, cream and honey are the traditional wedding attire for Bengali men.
These days, Panjabi is also paired with jeans or trousers in a unique fusion to blend
traditional with the comfortable modern.
 West Bengal Population 2020
West Bengal is a state in India located along the Bay of Bengal. The population is 91,347,736 and
is the fourth most populous state in India. The population of West Bengal makes up 7.8% of
India’s total population.

City Size and Population Density

The population density of the region is 2,670 inhabitants per square mile. The total area of the
state is 34,267 square miles, making it the 14th largest by area in the nation.

The majority of the population demographic is made up of Bengalis, including Bengali Muslims

and Bengali Hindus.

There are also minority groups including the Maithil, Bhojpuri and Marwari located throughout
the region. In certain regions of the state, there are Buddhist communities and Nepali
immigrants, as well as indigenous tribes. The state has multiple official languages including but
not limited to Bengali, Hindi, Odia, and Urbu but Bengali is the primary language spoken
throughout the state.

West Bengal is known for being religiously diverse. Over 70% of inhabitants practice Hinduism,
while more than one quarter practice Islam. Other religions observed through the state include
Christianity and Buddhism, just to name a few.