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The southern part of the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass runs through the heart of the neighborhood. The area contains a prominent traffic junction from which a variety of public transport is available, making it a prime travel connection spot in South Kolkata suburbs area.
Etymology
Garia may have received its name from kandelia candel, a native mangrove tree species, which was called Guriya (Bengali: গুড়িয়া) in the Sundarbanidialect of Bengali. It is said that in ancient times the Sundarbans forest covered the area of present-day Garia and extended north all the way to Sealdah and that locals subsequently gave this area the name of Garia. However, Garia may have also gotten its name from the Muslim community originally from Gauda, Gauriyā, who lived nearby. It is said that this group is currently living in the northern part of Patuli; however, many scholars do not accept this theory.
Alternatively, the name Garia may have come from the large Gaudiya Vaishnava community living in the neighborhood. In the 15th century, the famous social reformer of Bengal, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, traveled through Adi Ganga on his Nilachala Yatra and stopped near present-day Garia; Vaishnavas (Baishnabs) have lived in the area since, and perhaps took inspiration for the name from that of the saint. Baishnabghata and Kamdahari, nearby townships, are hypothesized to have the same source of etymological history.
History
Garia is one of the oldest settlements in the region. Adi Ganga (also known as Tolly's Nala), which connects Kolkata to the Bidyadhari River to the east, runs through the middle of the neighborhood. It was a generally peaceful residential neighborhood before the partition of India, which changed the social composition of the area.
Through the course of the partition process, refugees came and settled in the farmlands and country houses of the rich landowners of Kolkata in Garia, increasing the population of the area by several thousands.
Garia became a refugee settlement, along with Jadavpur and Tollygunge, in the southern fringes of the city. Slowly after the initial upheaval, development of the area resumed and it gradually became peaceful once again.
With the expansion of Kolkata to the east and the south during the 1990s, the area witnessed further change. Garia was the southern end of the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. This road connected Garia to the north of the city and newly developing areas like Salt Lake and New Town, and also to the Dum Dum Airport and spurred the rapid commercialization of the area. Already home to two major bus terminals, Garia became the transport and commercial hub of the region.
Present day
Kanungo Park, established by Sri Manindra Lal Das (of The Directorate of Settlement Department of West Bengal), was the first planned settlement in Garia and was inspired by Milian Park in Washington D.C. It, along with most other new planned settlements, was located to the north of the junction of N.S.C. Bose Road and Raja Subodh Chandra Mullick Road (known today as Garia More Road).
The locality is now home to some of the most upmarket apartment complexes in the city and caters to people looking to get away from the congestion of Kolkata. Notable complexes include Hiland Park, Avani's Victoria Greens, Westwind, Orbit City, Sunny Seasons, Victoria Greens, Sugam Park, Sherwood Estate, and Bengal Ambuja's Upohar.
More apartment complexes, such as Sugam Sudhir, PS Srijan Ozone, and Modello Highs are also nearing completion. Garia's population also continues to increase. Additionally, more residential flats are being built, leading roads to be increasingly congested and bringing Garia in line with most other places in Kolkata.
Chak Garia, also known as Chakgaria, is an upmarket neighborhood in the eastern part of Garia. It contains several high rises such as Hiland Park and Bengal Ambuja Upohar.
Baishnabghata-Patuli Township is a township located on the EM Bypass. The township is a project funded by the World Bank.
Mahamayatala
Mahamayatala is a well-known residential area in Garia. There are several modern luxurious residential complexes, medical centers, banks, department stores, fusion-cuisine restaurants and bars. The well-known Maa Mahamaya Temple is found here.
Pearabagan
Pearabagan is a major locality in South Garia. It is a residential area with a bazaar popularly known as "Kalibazar". There are many schools in the area including the co-ed Laskarpur Vidyapith school. BDMI school in Pearabagan is connected with Purba Para, Laskarpur. The post office of Laskarpur is situated here. The Rishi Apartment, Elina Apartment, and Narayani Apartment complexes are also located here.
Tetultala
Tetultala is a residential area located between Mahamayatala and Hindustan More. Various residential buildings and housing complexes are situated in this locality, such as Sanghati Abasan, Victoria Enclave, Tinni Apartment, Puskar Abasan, Basundhara Apartment, and Luv Kush Apartment.
Hindustan More
Hindustan More is another posh upmarket area, with renowned multi-specialty nursing homes such as Hindustan Health Point and several markets, as well as a BSF camp, ISPW, Kolkata, RPWTI, Kolkata, the West Bengal State Electricity Board office, fire brigade department, HDFC Bank, and complex like ganguly group 4sight florence.
Railway connectivity of GariaNew Garia Metro Station
Garia is a very well connected to the rest of the city by bus routes. It has 2 state bus terminals known locally as 5no. and 6no. bus stand. The 5no. bus terminus is used by S-5 and AC-5 buses running between Garia and Howrah. The 6no. bs terminus is used by S-7 and AC-6 running between Garia and Howrah,S-14 running between Garia and Karunamoyee,S-21 between Garia and Bagbazar and AC-50A running between Garia and Rajchandrapur. Terminating private buses include S-101 running between Garia and B.B.D.Bag,80A and 80B between Garia to Esplanade,007 between Garia and Kolkata Station,Garia to Ultadanga and Garia to Barasat. Private bus routes passing through Garia include 218 between Baruipur and Babughat, 228 between Mahamayatala and Babughat,45A between Garia Station and Airport, SD-5 between Sonarpur and Khariberia, KB-17 between Sonarpur and Karunamoyee, Barasat to Baruipur and Kamalgachhi to Dankuni Housing. Long distance buses operated by SBSTC are also available.
Please note that the routes S-14,S-21 and KB-17 are very infrequent and S-7 and 007 are different routes.
Buddha Jayanti is a celebration of 3 important events in Lord Buddha's life (Birth, Buddhata, Maha Parinirvan) at Garia Buddha Temple on Buddha Purnima Day.
Kathina Chivara Dana is a special occasion for Buddhists, especially for Buddhist monks and is celebrated after their completion of 3 months of Varsha Mash at Garia Buddha Temple.
Baishnabghata Patuli Boi Mela is a book fair at Kendua Shanti Sangha first held in December 2012.
Seva Utsav, organized by Dakshin Kalikata Krira O Sanskriti Parishad, has been a successful community program for 35 years. Activities include a free eye operation camp and medical camp, various cultural competitions and programmes, a torch relay, exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, the All Bengal Yogasan Competition, Baul Mela, Kavi Sammelan, seminars, etc.
Rakhi Utsav is the annual function of the Sreerampur Kalyan Samity.
West Bengal Art and Handicrafts Fair (sponsored by the Govt. of West Bengal)
Old Rath Yatra fair at Rathtala
Puja Rating and Rides (organised by Banchbo)
International Senior Citizen Day is celebrated on 1 October of every year. The event is organized by Banchbo Healing Touch.
World Diabetes Day is on 14 November of every year. Events are organized by Banchbo Healing Touch.
World Environment Day is on 5 June of every year. Events are organized by Banchbo and Metta Parishad, the youth wing of Garia Bauddha Sanskriti Samsad.
Doctors' Day is on 1 July of every year. Events are organized by Banchbo and Kendua Shanti Sangha.
