Achkoda


Achkoda is a village in the Neturia CD block in the Raghunathpur subdivision of the Purulia district in the state of West Bengal, India.

Geography

Location

Achkoda is located at.

Area overview

Purulia district forms the lowest step of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. The general scenario is undulating land with scattered hills. 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. It is presented in the map given alongside. There is a coal mining area around Parbelia and two thermal power plants are there – the 500 MW Santaldih Thermal Power Station 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 monument of national importance. The comparatively more recent in historical terms, Panchkot Raj has interesting and intriguing remains in the area.
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, Achkoda had a total population of 1,178, of which 596 were males and 582 were females. There were 582 persons in the age range of 0-6 years. The total number of literate persons in Achkoda was 640.

Culture

Achkoda, like Cheliyama, showcases aatchala-style temples with terracotta work on the walls. However, while there has been restoration at Cheliyama, Achkoda remains untouched. Achkoda “seems to be at least five centuries old. Its panels are smaller in size and some of them depict tribal life.”

Achkoda picture gallery

Terracotta carvings

Some pictures are a part of Wiki Explores Purulia programme, an initiative by West Bengal Wikimedians User Group