Happy TravellerWelcome to Sainthia! A bustling city located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India. Known as the business city of Birbhum district, Sainthia is a hub for agricultural products and their allied businesses. The city is located on the banks of the Mayurakshi River and is famous for the Nandikeshwari Temple, one of the Shakti Peethas in the Indian subcontinent. Let’s dive into the rich history, vibrant culture, and exciting attractions that make Sainthia a must-visit destination.
Sainthia, formerly known as Nandipur, was once a small village. However, with the construction of the Sahibganj loop line and a bridge over the Mayurakshi River in the 1800s, the city developed into a major human settlement. In 1987, Sainthia was declared a municipal city, and it has since grown into the fourth most populous city in Birbhum district and the 95th most populous city in West Bengal. The city covers an area of 10 km² and had a population of 44,601 in 2011.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Sainthia is its etymology. The name Sainthia is believed to have been derived from Saaita, a term used in Khero Khata (Business Book) by the merchants of Sainthia after worshipping Goddess Nandikeshwari in Poila Boishakh and Vijaya Dashami. Nandipur was the ancient name of the city, originating from the famous temple of Nandikeshwari. The word Nandi comes from Nandikeshwari Temple, and the word Pur is a Sanskrit term used for the city. Together, these words created Nandipur.
Sainthia is situated in the south bank of Mayurakshi River and has an average elevation of 54 m (177 ft). The city’s soil is generally alluvial and fertile, and the climate is tropical. The temperature goes very high and it is very humid in summer and quite cold in winter. Sainthia has an average annual temperature of 26.3 °C, and the average rainfall is 1328 mm. The Sainthia municipality area spreads over 10 km² and comprises 16 wards. The city is well-connected to different parts of the country by the National Highway 114 and State Highway 11, and public transport systems include government and private buses, electric rickshaws, taxis, and auto-rickshaws.
Sainthia’s economy is based on agricultural products and their allied businesses. The city is the leader in the edible oil industry in Birbhum and one of the leading edible oil producers in West Bengal. There are 10 edible oil mills in Sainthia, out of which 9 are Mustard oil mills, and 1 is a Rice Bran oil mill. The city is an export and import centre for cottage industry and agricultural-based different goods, and its hinterland of business spreads up to the districts of Jharkhand in the west and Assam in the northeast. Sainthia is also an important centre for banking and finance, with 13 bank branches in the city, 9 of them being public sector banks and the remaining 4 being private sector banks. Shopping centre developments in Sainthia city increase economic activity and local employment, with 5 shopping centres contributing to the city’s economy.
Sainthia is known for its temples, including the famous Nandikeshwari Temple, one of the Shakti Peethas in the Indian subcontinent. The city is also home to several high schools and two colleges – Abhedananda Mahavidyalaya, a general stream college under the University of Burdwan, and Birbhum Vivekananda Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, established in 1972. The city has one government-sponsored public library, and sports enthusiasts can enjoy football and cricket at the Kamodakinkar Stadium (Jalibagan), operated by Sainthia Sports Association.
Sainthia is influenced by the culture of West Bengal, and festivals celebrated in the city are inherited by the entire state. The language most commonly spoken here is Bengali, but people from other parts of India who have settled in Sainthia speak other languages. The festivals that are most commonly celebrated are Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Holi, and Christmas. Ganesh Puja is done during Sankashti Chaturthi, and Durga Puja is sincerely celebrated throughout the city of Sainthia by the local people.
In conclusion, Sainthia is a hidden gem that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. With its rich history, vibrant culture, and exciting attractions, the city has something for everyone. So why not plan your next trip to Sainthia and experience it for yourself?
