Shankara, Purulia - Revision history

Dia: brief improve page for clarity further and fixed typos

2026-02-26T10:37:35Z

brief improve page for clarity further and fixed typos

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:07, 26 February 2026
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	{{Other uses\|Shankara (disambiguation){{!}}Shankara}}		{{Other uses\|Shankara (disambiguation){{!}}Shankara}}
			{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2022}}
			{{Use Indian English\|date=December 2022}}
	{{Infobox settlement		{{Infobox settlement
	\| name = Shankara		\| name = Shankara
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	===Area overview===		===Area overview===
	Purulia district forms the lowest step of the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]]. The general scenario is undulating land with scattered hills.<ref>Houlton, Sir John, ''Bihar, the Heart of India'', 1949, p. 170, Orient Longmans Ltd.</ref> [[Raghunathpur subdivision]] occupies the northern part of the district. 83.80% of the population of the subdivision lives in rural areas. However, there are pockets of urbanization and 16.20% of the population lives in urban areas. There are 14 census towns in the subdivision.<ref>{{cite web \|url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook \|title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Purulia \|work = Tables 2.1, 2.2 \|publisher = Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal \|accessdate = 12 January 2020}}</ref> It is presented in the map given alongside. There is a coal mining area around [[Parbelia]]<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.easterncoal.gov.in/contactus/cugtel/sripur.pdf \| title = Area wise Closed User Group (CUG) Telephone Numbers \| work =Sodepur Area \| publisher = Eastern Coalfields Limited \| accessdate = 11 August 2018}}</ref> and two thermal power plants are there – the 500 MW [[Santaldih Thermal Power Station]]<ref name=santaldih>{{cite web\| url = http://stpswbpdcl.n-stars.org/ \|title = Santaldih Thermal Power Station - WBPDCL \| publisher =WBPDCL \|accessdate = 2011-08-24 }}</ref> and the 1200 MW [[Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station]]. The subdivision has a rich heritage of old temples, some of them belonging to the 11th century or earlier. The [[Banda Deul]] is a [[List of Monuments of National Importance in West Bengal\|monument of national importance]].<ref>{{cite web \| url = https://www.asikolkata.in/purulia.aspx \| title = Old temple at Banda (locally known as deul)\| publisher = ASI, Kolkata Circle \|accessdate = 23 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://asi.nic.in/alphabetical-list-of-monuments-west-bengal/\|title=List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of West Bengal - Archaeological Survey of India\|publisher= ASI\|work= Item no. 134\|access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> The comparatively more recent in historical terms, [[Panchkot Raj]] has interesting and intriguing remains in the area.<ref>{{cite web\| url = http://asianheritagealertiaah.blogspot.in/2011/10/capital-in-shambles-garh-panchakot.html \|title = Capital in shambles: Garh Panchakot, Purulia \| publisher= Heritage in Peril\| accessdate = 1 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\| url = http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/East/West_Bengal/Garpanchkot/photo900506.htm \|title = Historical ruins\| publisher= Trek Earth \| accessdate = 1 December 2016}}</ref>		Purulia district forms the lowest step of the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]]. The general scenario is undulating land with scattered hills.<ref>Houlton, Sir John, ''Bihar, the Heart of India'', 1949, p. 170, Orient Longmans Ltd.</ref> [[Raghunathpur subdivision]] occupies the northern part of the district. 83.80% of the population of the subdivision lives in rural areas. However, there are pockets of urbanization and 16.20% of the population lives in urban areas. There are 14 census towns in the subdivision.<ref>{{cite web \|url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook \|title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Purulia \|work = Tables 2.1, 2.2 \|publisher = Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal \|accessdate = 12 January 2020 \|archive-date = 21 January 2019 \|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190121045803/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook \|url-status = dead }}</ref> It is presented in the map given alongside. There is a coal mining area around [[Parbelia]]<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.easterncoal.gov.in/contactus/cugtel/sripur.pdf \| title = Area wise Closed User Group (CUG) Telephone Numbers \| work =Sodepur Area \| publisher = Eastern Coalfields Limited \| accessdate = 11 August 2018}}</ref> and two thermal power plants are there – the 500 MW [[Santaldih Thermal Power Station]]<ref name=santaldih>{{cite web \|url = http://stpswbpdcl.n-stars.org/ \|title = Santaldih Thermal Power Station - WBPDCL \|publisher = WBPDCL \|accessdate = 2011-08-24 \|archive-date = 11 January 2010 \|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100111024838/http://stpswbpdcl.n-stars.org/ \|url-status = dead }}</ref> and the 1200 MW [[Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station]]. The subdivision has a rich heritage of old temples, some of them belonging to the 11th century or earlier. The [[Banda Deul]] is a [[List of Monuments of National Importance in West Bengal\|monument of national importance]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web \| url = https://www.asikolkata.in/purulia.aspx \| title = Old temple at Banda (locally known as deul)\| publisher = ASI, Kolkata Circle \|accessdate = 23 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://asi.nic.in/alphabetical-list-of-monuments-west-bengal/\|title=List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of West Bengal - Archaeological Survey of India\|publisher= ASI\|work= Item no. 134\|access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> The comparatively more recent in historical terms, Panchkot Raj has interesting and intriguing remains in the area.<ref>{{cite web\| url = http://asianheritagealertiaah.blogspot.in/2011/10/capital-in-shambles-garh-panchakot.html \|title = Capital in shambles: Garh Panchakot, Purulia \| publisher= Heritage in Peril\| accessdate = 1 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\| url = http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/East/West_Bengal/Garpanchkot/photo900506.htm \|title = Historical ruins\| publisher= Trek Earth \| accessdate = 1 December 2016}}</ref>

	<small>Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.</small>		<small>Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.</small>
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	==Infrastructure==		==Infrastructure==
	According to the ''District Census Handbook 2011, Puruliya'', Shankara covered an area of 5.3831 km<sup>2</sup>. There is a railway station at [[Anara, Purulia\|Anara]], 5 km away. Among the civic amenities, it had 23 km roads with both open and closed drains, the protected water supply involved overhead tank, tap water from untreated source, uncovered well. It had 887 domestic electric connections. Among the medical facilities it had 1 hospital, 1 dispensary/ health centre, 2 medicine shops. Among the educational facilities it had were 2 primary schools, 1 middle school, the nearest secondary school at Jhapur 3 km away, the nearest senior secondary school at Khapur 3 km away, the nearest general degree college at [[Raghunathpur, Purulia\|Raghunathpur]] 19 km away. Among the important commodities it manufactured was [[beedi]].<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/DCHB/DCHB_A/19/1914_PART_A_DCHB_PURULIYA.pdf \| title = District Census Handbook Puruliya, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A \| work= Section II Town Directory, Pages 1073-1083 Statement I: Status and Growth History, Pages 1006-1010; Statement II: Physical Aspects and Location of Towns, Pages 1010-1015; Statement III: Civic and other Amenities, Pages 1015-1019; Statement IV: Medical Facilities 2009, Pages 1019-1027 Statement V: Educational, Recreational and Cultural Facilities, Pages 1027- 1029: Statement VI:Industry and Banking \| publisher = Directorate of Census Operations V, West Bengal \|accessdate = 30 January 2020}}</ref>		According to the ''District Census Handbook 2011, Puruliya'', Shankara covered an area of 5.3831 km<sup>2</sup>. There is a railway station at [[Anara, Purulia\|Anara]], 5 km away. Among the civic amenities, it had 23 km roads with both open and closed drains, the protected water supply involved overhead tank, tap water from untreated source, uncovered well. It had 887 domestic electric connections. Among the medical facilities it had 1 hospital, 1 dispensary/ health centre, 2 medicine shops. Among the educational facilities it had were 2 primary schools, 1 middle school, the nearest secondary school at Jhapur 3 km away, the nearest senior secondary school at Khapur 3 km away, the nearest general degree college at [[Raghunathpur, Purulia\|Raghunathpur]] 19 km away. Among the important commodities it manufactured was [[beedi]].<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/DCHB/DCHB_A/19/1914_PART_A_DCHB_PURULIYA.pdf \| title = District Census Handbook Puruliya, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A \| work= Section II Town Directory, Pages 1073-1083 Statement I: Status and Growth History, Pages 1006-1010; Statement II: Physical Aspects and Location of Towns, Pages 1010-1015; Statement III: Civic and other Amenities, Pages 1015-1019; Statement IV: Medical Facilities 2009, Pages 1019-1027 Statement V: Educational, Recreational and Cultural Facilities, Pages 1027- 1029: Statement VI: Industry and Banking \| publisher = Directorate of Census Operations V, West Bengal \|accessdate = 30 January 2020}}</ref>

	==Transport==		==Transport==
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	==Culture==		==Culture==
	Ancient idols of Jain tirthakars [[Parshvanath]] and [[Shantinatha]] have been found at Shankara.<ref>{{cite web \| url = https://threader.app/thread/1152904616960376832\| title = Jainism in Bengal and Purulia \| work= P. Mandal\| publisher = Threader \|accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref> Many age-old idols that have weathered with time are stored inside modern temples.<ref>{{cite web \| url = https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/68984/rediscover-purulias-timeless-heritage \| title = Rediscover Purulia's Timeless Heritage\| work= Amitabha Gupta\| publisher = Outlook Traveller, 22 August 2018 \|accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref>		Ancient idols of Jain {{Transliteration\|hi\|tirthakars}} [[Parshvanath]] and [[Shantinatha]] have been found at Shankara.<ref>{{cite web \| url = https://threader.app/thread/1152904616960376832\| title = Jainism in Bengal and Purulia \| work= P. Mandal\| publisher = Threader \|accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref> Many age-old idols that have weathered with time are stored inside modern temples.

	[[Banda Deul]], located nearby, an 11th-century temple, is a [[List of Monuments of National Importance in West Bengal\|monument of national importance]].<ref~~>{{cite web \| url~~ = ~~https~~://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/next-weekend-you-can-be-at-banda/cid/1282774\| title = Next weekend you can be at… Banda \|first= Somen\|last= Sengupta \| publisher = The Telegraph \|accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://asi.nic.in/alphabetical-list-of-monuments-west-bengal/\|title=List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of West Bengal - Archaeological Survey of India\|publisher= ASI\|work= Item no. 134\|access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref>		[[Banda Deul]], located nearby, an 11th-century temple, is a [[List of Monuments of National Importance in West Bengal\|monument of national importance]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://asi.nic.in/alphabetical-list-of-monuments-west-bengal/\|title=List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of West Bengal - Archaeological Survey of India\|publisher= ASI\|work= Item no. 134\|access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref>

	There are ~~3 dilapidated [[Deula\|deuls]]~~ at [[Para, Purulia\|Para]] ~~belonging to~~ the ~~10th-11th century~~.<ref>{{~~cite~~ web \| url = https://~~rangandatta~~.~~wordpress~~.~~com~~/~~2018/08/22/temples-of-para~~-~~purulia~~/ ~~\| title = Temples of Para, Purulia \| first=Rangan\| last= Dutta \| publisher = Wordpress \| accessdate = 10 January 2020~~}}</ref> There is an 11th-century rekha deul at Banda.<ref>{{cite web \| url = https://www.asikolkata.in/purulia.aspx \| title = Old temple at Banda (locally known as deul)\| publisher = ASI, Kolkata Circle \|accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref>		There are some protected monuments at [[Para, Purulia\|Para]], under the Government of West Bengal .<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Archaeological Monuments, Purulia District, Government of West Bengal \|url=https://purulia.gov.in/archeological-monuments/}}</ref> There is an 11th-century {{Transliteration\|hi\|rekha deul}} at Banda.<ref>{{cite web \| url = https://www.asikolkata.in/purulia.aspx \| title = Old temple at Banda (locally known as deul)\| publisher = ASI, Kolkata Circle \|accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref>

	Numerous statues related to Jainism and Hinduism have been found at [[Haraktor]].<ref>Ananda Bazar Patrika, in Bengali, 28 December 2019, Amar Gram</ref>		Numerous statues related to Jainism and Hinduism have been found at [[Haraktor]].<ref>Ananda Bazar Patrika, in Bengali, 28 December 2019, Amar Gram</ref>
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	File:Bir Stambha in Shankara village at Purulia.jpg\|Bir stambha		File:Bir Stambha in Shankara village at Purulia.jpg\|Bir stambha
	</gallery>		</gallery>
	~~<small>Pictures are a part of Wiki Explores Purulia programme, an initiative by West Bengal Wikimedians User Group</small>~~

	==Healthcare==		==Healthcare==
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	==References==		==References==
	{{Reflist\|3}}		{{Reflist}}

	==External links==		==External links==

imported>CircularToucan: /* Area overview */ Typo Team Moss.

2021-08-29T05:08:59Z

Area overview: Typo Team Moss.

New page

{{Other uses|Shankara (disambiguation){{!}}Shankara}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Shankara
| native_name = 
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Census Town
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| pushpin_map = India West Bengal#India3
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal, India
| coordinates = {{coord|23.4824|N|86.5258|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[West Bengal]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Purulia district|Purulia]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 5.3831
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 11,171
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[English language|English]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 723155
| area_code_type = Telephone/[[Subscriber trunk dialing|STD]] code
| area_code = 03251
| registration_plate =
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Purulia (Lok Sabha constituency)|Purulia]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Para (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Para]]
| website = {{URL|purulia.gov.in/}}
| footnotes =
}}
'''Shankara''' (also spelled Shankra, Sankra) is a [[census town]] and a [[gram panchayat]] in the [[Para (community development block)|Para]] [[Community development blocks in India|CD block]] in the [[Raghunathpur subdivision]] of the [[Purulia district]] in the state of [[West Bengal]], [[India]].

==Geography==
{{OSM Location map
| width=450| height=300| zoom=10
| coord={{coord|23|35|0|N|86|41|0|E}}| float=left|caption='''Places in Raghunathpur subdivision in Purulia district''' M: municipal town, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical/ religious centre, T: tourist centre Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
|mark-coord1={{coord|23|36|0|N|86|28|5|E}} | label-pos1=right|label1= Santaldih| numbered1=CT| mark-title1= [[Santaldih]] (CT)|label-color1= #800000 |label-size1=11| mark-size1=12|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1=#A40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2
|mark-coord2={{coord|23|35|5|N|86|28|34|E}} | label-pos2=right|label2=Kanki| numbered2=CT| mark-title2= [[Kanki, Purulia]] (CT)
|mark-coord3={{coord|23|32|50|N|86|31|5|E}} | label-pos3=right|label3=Dubra| numbered3=CT| mark-title3= [[Dubra, Purulia]] (CT)
|mark-coord4={{coord|23|29|52|N|86|33|43|E}} | label-pos4=left|label4=Chapari| numbered4=CT| mark-title4= [[Chapari]] (CT)
|mark-coord5={{coord|23|28|56|N|86|31|32|E}} | label-pos5=left|label5=Shankara| numbered5=CT| mark-title5= Shankara, Purulia (CT)|shape-color5=black| label-size5=13|label-color5=black 
|mark-coord6={{coord|23|37|12|N|86|28|19|E}} | label-pos6=left|label6=Nabagram| numbered6=CT| mark-title6= [[Nabagram, Purulia]] (CT)
|mark-coord7={{coord|23|40|48|N|86|48|15|E}} | label-pos7=left|label7=Saltore| numbered7=CT| mark-title7= [[Saltore]] (CT)
|mark-coord8={{coord|23|40|30|N|86|49|10|E}} | label-pos8=top|label8=Hijuli| numbered8=CT| mark-title8= [[Hijuli]] (CT)
|mark-coord9={{coord|23|40|26|N|86|50|15|E}} | label-pos9=right|label9=Parbelia| numbered9=CT| mark-title9= [[Parbelia]] (CT)
|mark-coord10={{coord|23|38|18|N|86|38|16|E}} | label-pos10=right|label10=Achkoda| numbered10=H| mark-title10= [[Achkoda]] (H) |shape-color10=#AA6666
|mark-coord11={{coord|23|28|48|N|86|33|37|E}} | label-pos11= right|label11=Anara| numbered11=R| mark-title11= [[Anara, Purulia]] (R) |shape-color11=#C42222
|mark-coord12={{coord|23|37|1|N|86|33|10|E}} | label-pos12=right|label12=Cheliyama| numbered12=R| mark-title12= [[Cheliyama]] (R) |shape-color12=#C42222
|mark-coord13={{coord|23|35|40|N|86|45|31|E}} | label-pos13=left|label13=Gobag| numbered13=R| mark-title13= [[Gobag]] (R) |shape-color13=#C42222
|mark-coord14={{coord|23|31|17|N|86|27|5|E}} | label-pos14=left|label14=Haraktor| numbered14=H| mark-title14= [[Haraktor]] (H) |shape-color14=#AA6666
|mark-coord15={{coord|23|36|29|N|86|47|57|E}} | label-pos15=left|label15=Harmadih| numbered15=R| mark-title15= [[Harmadih]] (R) |shape-color15=#C42222
|mark-coord16={{coord|23|39|40|N|86|49|30|E}} | label-pos16=right|label16=Nituria| numbered16=R| mark-title16= [[Nituria]] (R) |shape-color16=#C42222
|mark-coord17={{coord|23|30|42|N|86|31|12|E}} | label-pos17=right|label17=Para| numbered17=H| mark-title17= [[Para, Purulia]] (H) |shape-color17=#AA6666
|mark-coord18={{coord|23|38|50|N|86|48|30|E}} | label-pos18=right|label18=Sarbari| numbered18=R| mark-title18= [[Sarbari]] (R) |shape-color18=#C42222
|mark-coord19={{coord|23|36|45|N|86|31|25|E}} | label-pos19=left|label19=Usir| numbered19=R| mark-title19= [[Usir]] (R) |shape-color19=#C42222
|mark-coord20={{coord|23|36|10|N|86|33|31|E}} | label-pos20=right|label20=Banda Deul| numbered20=H| mark-title20= [[Banda Deul]] (H)| shape-color20=#AA6666
|mark-coord21={{coord|23|37|30|N|86|46|20|E}} | label-pos21=left|label21= Garh Panchkot| numbered21=H| mark-title21= [[Garh Panchkot]] (H)| shape-color21=#AA6666
|mark-coord22={{coord|23|39|58|N|86|36|23|E}} | label-pos22=right|label22=Telkupi| numbered22=H| mark-title22= [[Telkupi]] (H)| shape-color22=#AA6666
|mark-coord23={{coord|23|34|46|N|86|45|42|E}} | label-pos23=left|label23=Ramkanali| numbered23=R| mark-title23= [[Ramkanali Junction railway station]] (R) |shape-color23=#C42222
|mark-coord24= {{coord|23|36|40|N|86|50|21|E}}| label-pos24=right|label24=Murulia| numbered24=CT| mark-title24= [[Murulia]] (CT)
|mark-coord25= {{coord|23|30|23|N|86|41|37|E}} | label-pos25=right|label25=Arra| numbered25=CT| mark-title25= [[Arra, Purulia|Arra, India]] (CT)
|mark-coord26={{coord|23|29|10|N|86|39|45|E}} | label-pos26=right|label26=Kantaranguri| numbered26=CT| mark-title26= [[Kantaranguri]] (CT)
|mark-coord27={{coord|23|30|10|N|86|40|0|E}} | label-pos27=left|label27=Adra| numbered27=CT| mark-title27= [[Adra, Purulia]] (CT)
|mark-coord28={{coord|23|25|19|N|86|39|43|E}} | label-pos28=right|label28=Lapara| numbered28=CT| mark-title28= [[Lapara, Purulia]] (CT)
|mark-coord29={{coord|23|32|50|N|86|40|12|E}} | label-pos29=top|label29= Raghunathpur| numbered29=M| mark-title29= [[Raghunathpur, Purulia]] (M) |shape-color29=#800000
|mark-coord30={{coord|23|34|30|N|86|50|40|E}} | label-pos30=right|label30=Baranti| numbered30=T| mark-title30= [[Baranti]] (T) |shape-color30=green
|mark-coord31={{coord|23|26|10|N|86|41|0|E}} | label-pos31=right|label31= Kalloli| numbered31=R| mark-title31= [[Kalloli]] (R) |shape-color31=#C42222
|mark-coord32={{coord|23|26|11|N|86|40|13|E}} | label-pos32=left|label32=Kashipur| numbered32=H| mark-title32= [[Kashipur, West Bengal]] (H) |shape-color32=#AA6666
|mark-coord33={{coord|23|38|0|N|86|52|30|E}} | label-pos33=left|label33=Madhukunda| numbered33=R| mark-title33= [[Madhukunda]] (R)|shape-color33=#C42222
|mark-coord34={{coord|23|35|20|N|86|49|27|E}} | label-pos34=right|label34=Muraddi| numbered34=R| mark-title34= [[Muraddi]] (R) |shape-color34=#C42222
|mark-coord35={{coord|23|34|45|N|86|48|24|E}} | label-pos35=bottom|label35=Ramchandrapur| numbered35=R| mark-title35= [[Ramchandrapur, Purulia]] (R) |shape-color35=#C42222
|mark-coord36={{coord|23|31|44|N|86|51|50|E}} | label-pos36=left|label36=Santuri| numbered36=R| mark-title36= [[Santuri, Purulia]] (R) |shape-color36=#C42222
|mark-coord37={{coord|23|32|53|N|86|43|35|E}} | label-pos37=right|label37=Bero| numbered37=R| mark-title37= [[Bero railway station]] (R) |shape-color37=#C42222
|mark-coord38={{coord|23|31|10|N|86|40|51|E}} | label-pos38=right|label38=Joychandi Pahar| numbered38=R| mark-title38= [[Joychandi Pahar]] (R) |shape-color38=#C42222
|mark-coord39={{coord|23.6556|N|86.7486|E}}| label39= Panchet |labela39= Hill| label-color39 = #C42222 | label-angle39=-50| label-pos39=bottom| label-size39=10| mark-size39=0| mark-title39 =none
|mark-coord40={{coord|23.6736|N|86.6886|E}} |label40=Panchet Dam|labela40= Reservoir| label-color40 = #77A1CB| label-angle40=0| label-pos40=top| label-size40=10| mark-size40=0| mark-title40 =none
|mark-coord41={{coord|23.6102|86.9303}}| label41=Damodar River| label-color41 = #77A1CB| label-angle41=5| label-pos41=top| label-size41=10| mark-size41=0| mark-title41 =none
|arc-coordA={{coord|23|40|0|N|86|33|0|E}}|arc-textA= JHARKHAND| arc-text-colorA=hard grey| arc-angleA=-50| arc-gapA=3.5| arc-radiusA=0.43}}

===Location===
Shankara is located at {{coord|23.4824|N|86.5258|E|display=inline}}.

===Area overview===
Purulia district forms the lowest step of the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]]. The general scenario is undulating land with scattered hills.<ref>Houlton, Sir John, ''Bihar, the Heart of India'', 1949, p. 170, Orient Longmans Ltd.</ref> [[Raghunathpur subdivision]] occupies the northern part of the district. 83.80% of the population of the subdivision lives in rural areas. However, there are pockets of urbanization and 16.20% of the population lives in urban areas. There are 14 census towns in the subdivision.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook |title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Purulia |work = Tables 2.1, 2.2 |publisher = Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal |accessdate = 12 January 2020}}</ref> It is presented in the map given alongside. There is a coal mining area around [[Parbelia]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.easterncoal.gov.in/contactus/cugtel/sripur.pdf | title = Area wise Closed User Group (CUG) Telephone Numbers | work =Sodepur Area | publisher = Eastern Coalfields Limited | accessdate = 11 August 2018}}</ref> and two thermal power plants are there – the 500 MW [[Santaldih Thermal Power Station]]<ref name=santaldih>{{cite web| url = http://stpswbpdcl.n-stars.org/ |title = Santaldih Thermal Power Station - WBPDCL | publisher =WBPDCL |accessdate = 2011-08-24 }}</ref> and the 1200 MW [[Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station]]. The subdivision has a rich heritage of old temples, some of them belonging to the 11th century or earlier. The [[Banda Deul]] is a [[List of Monuments of National Importance in West Bengal|monument of national importance]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.asikolkata.in/purulia.aspx | title = Old temple at Banda (locally known as deul)| publisher = ASI, Kolkata Circle |accessdate = 23 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://asi.nic.in/alphabetical-list-of-monuments-west-bengal/|title=List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of West Bengal - Archaeological Survey of India|publisher= ASI|work= Item no. 134|access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> The comparatively more recent in historical terms, [[Panchkot Raj]] has interesting and intriguing remains in the area.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://asianheritagealertiaah.blogspot.in/2011/10/capital-in-shambles-garh-panchakot.html |title = Capital in shambles: Garh Panchakot, Purulia | publisher= Heritage in Peril| accessdate = 1 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/East/West_Bengal/Garpanchkot/photo900506.htm |title = Historical ruins| publisher= Trek Earth | accessdate = 1 December 2016}}</ref>

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

==Demographics==
According to the [[2011 Census of India]], Shankara had a total population of 11,171, of which 5,735 (51%) were males and 5,436 (49%) were females. There were 2,523 persons in the age range of 0–6 years. The total number of literate persons in Shankara was 3,520 (40.84% of the population over 6 years).<ref>{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/pca/cdb_pca_census/Houselisting-housing-WB.html |title = CD block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA) | work= West Bengal – District-wise CD Blocks|publisher= Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India | accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
According to the ''District Census Handbook 2011, Puruliya'', Shankara covered an area of 5.3831 km2. There is a railway station at [[Anara, Purulia|Anara]], 5 km away. Among the civic amenities, it had 23 km roads with both open and closed drains, the protected water supply involved overhead tank, tap water from untreated source, uncovered well. It had 887 domestic electric connections. Among the medical facilities it had 1 hospital, 1 dispensary/ health centre, 2 medicine shops. Among the educational facilities it had were 2 primary schools, 1 middle school, the nearest secondary school at Jhapur 3 km away, the nearest senior secondary school at Khapur 3 km away, the nearest general degree college at [[Raghunathpur, Purulia|Raghunathpur]] 19 km away. Among the important commodities it manufactured was [[beedi]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/DCHB/DCHB_A/19/1914_PART_A_DCHB_PURULIYA.pdf | title = District Census Handbook Puruliya, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A | work= Section II Town Directory, Pages 1073-1083 Statement I: Status and Growth History, Pages 1006-1010; Statement II: Physical Aspects and Location of Towns, Pages 1010-1015; Statement III: Civic and other Amenities, Pages 1015-1019; Statement IV: Medical Facilities 2009, Pages 1019-1027 Statement V: Educational, Recreational and Cultural Facilities, Pages 1027- 1029: Statement VI:Industry and Banking | publisher = Directorate of Census Operations V, West Bengal |accessdate = 30 January 2020}}</ref>

==Transport==
The railway station at [[Anara, Purulia|Anara]], on the [[Asansol–Tatanagar–Kharagpur line|Adra-Gomoh branch line]], is located nearby.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://indiarailinfo.com/train/timetable/kharagpur-gomoh-memu-68103/5159/956/1426#st | title = 58603 => 68103 Kharagpur-Gomoh MEMU| work= Time Table| publisher = IndiaRailInfo |accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref>

==Education==
Sankra High School is a Bengali-medium coeducational institution established in 1973. It has facilities for teaching up to the higher secondary level.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.schoolsworld.in/schools/showschool.php?school_id=19141806203| title = Sankra High School| publisher = SchoolsWorld.in |accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref>

Jhapra High School is a Bengali-medium coeducational institution established in 1966. It has facilities for teaching up to the higher secondary level.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.schoolsworld.in/schools/showschool.php?school_id=19141413603| title = Jhapra High School| publisher = SchoolsWorld.in |accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref>

==Culture==
Ancient idols of Jain tirthakars [[Parshvanath]] and [[Shantinatha]] have been found at Shankara.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://threader.app/thread/1152904616960376832| title = Jainism in Bengal and Purulia | work= P. Mandal| publisher = Threader |accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref> Many age-old idols that have weathered with time are stored inside modern temples.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/68984/rediscover-purulias-timeless-heritage | title = Rediscover Purulia's Timeless Heritage| work= Amitabha Gupta| publisher = Outlook Traveller, 22 August 2018 |accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref>

[[Banda Deul]], located nearby, an 11th-century temple, is a [[List of Monuments of National Importance in West Bengal|monument of national importance]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/next-weekend-you-can-be-at-banda/cid/1282774| title = Next weekend you can be at… Banda |first= Somen|last= Sengupta | publisher = The Telegraph |accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://asi.nic.in/alphabetical-list-of-monuments-west-bengal/|title=List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of West Bengal - Archaeological Survey of India|publisher= ASI|work= Item no. 134|access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref>

There are 3 dilapidated [[Deula|deuls]] at [[Para, Purulia|Para]] belonging to the 10th-11th century.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://rangandatta.wordpress.com/2018/08/22/temples-of-para-purulia/ | title = Temples of Para, Purulia | first=Rangan| last= Dutta | publisher = Wordpress | accessdate = 10 January 2020}}</ref> There is an 11th-century rekha deul at Banda.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.asikolkata.in/purulia.aspx | title = Old temple at Banda (locally known as deul)| publisher = ASI, Kolkata Circle |accessdate = 1 February 2020}}</ref>

Numerous statues related to Jainism and Hinduism have been found at [[Haraktor]].<ref>Ananda Bazar Patrika, in Bengali, 28 December 2019, Amar Gram</ref>

==Shankara picture gallery==
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:Jain Statue worshipped as deity inside Dharmaraj temple at Sankra.jpg|Jain idol in Dharmaraj temple
File:Jain Statue inside Dharmaraj temple sat Sankra.jpg|Jain idol in Dharmaraj temple
File:Shankara - Dharmaraj Temple.jpg|Dharmaraj temple
File:Bir Stambha in Shankara village at Purulia.jpg|Bir stambha
</gallery>
Pictures are a part of Wiki Explores Purulia programme, an initiative by West Bengal Wikimedians User Group

==Healthcare==
Para Block Primary Health Centre, with 30 beds, at [[Para, Purulia|Para]], is a major government medical facility in the Para CD block.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://purulia.gov.in/distAdmin/departments/health/rural_health.html |title = Rural Health |publisher= Purulia district administration | accessdate = 1 February 2020 }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|3}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Shankra}}

{{Purulia District}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Purulia district]]