Baneswar

The word 'Baneswar' is a Sanskritic formation of the words bāna and īshvara. In Hindu mythology, Bana was an asura king. He carried out a Shiva linga, hoping to bring the god Shiva to Patala but failed. Said Shiva linga is now fixed at the Baneshwar temple, according to the legend. ==Geography==

{{OSM Location map Location Baneswar is located at . Area overview The map alongside shows the north-central part of the district. It has the highest level of urbanisation in an overwhelming rural district. 22.08% of the population of the Cooch Behar Sadar subdivision lives in the urban areas and 77.92% in the rural areas. The entire district forms the flat alluvial flood plains of mighty rivers. 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==

As per the 2011 Census of India, Baneswar had a total population of 4,841. There were 2,534 (52%) males and 2,307 (48%) females. There were 448 persons in the age range of 0 to 6 years. The total number of literate people in Baneswar was 4,108 (93.51% of the population over 6 years). ==Infrastructure==

According to the District Census Handbook 2011, Koch Bihar, Baneswar covered an area of 2.3838 km2. Among the civic amenities, it had 1 km roads with open drains, the protected water supply involved tan/pond/lake. It had 600 electric connections. Among the medical facilities it had 1 dispensary/ health centre, 1 veterinary hospital, 15 medicine shop. Among the educational facilities it had 2 primary schools, 4 middle schools, 1 secondary school, 1 senior secondary school. It had 1 recognised short-hand, typewriting and vocational training institution. Among the social, cultural and recreational facilities it had 1 public library and 1 reading room. It had the branch offices of 1 nationalised bank, 1 agricultural credit society. ==Transport==

Baneswar is well connected with the district town Cooch Behar (12 km) and district Alipurduar (13 km). There are two stations named and , New Baneswar is located beside Shiva temple through which local train for coochbehar and Siliguri are available. ==Education==

Baneswar Sarathibala Mahavidyalaya was established in 2009. Affiliated with the Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University, it offers honours courses in Bengali, English, Sanskrit, history and education, and a general course in arts. There is a boys' school, Baneswar Khabsa High School, and a girls' school, Baneswar Girls High School. Both are run by the state government. Sarathibala college is located in this village. ==Culture==

The place is known for the Baneswar Shiva temple, and for its tortoises (locally known as 'Mohan') which live in 'Shiva pukur' near the temple. ==References==