Kasganj District, also known as Kanshiram Nagar was created on April 17, 2008 by dividing Etah district. Popular area of the district includes Soron, Patiali, Nadri etc. Kanshiram Nagar the newly created district is among the four districts of Aligarh Division. Kanshiram Nagar includes three Tehsils kasganj, Patiali and Sahavar.
Area of Kanshiram Nagar District is 1993.08 sq km. Thus in terms of area of district is at 68th place in Uttar Pradesh. Kanshiram Nagar district is surrounded by Frurkabad in east, Aligarh in west, Etah district in north and south is surrounded by Bdau. In order to maintain law and order in the district it has 10 police station.
The town has got a prominent geographical feature in the shape of Kali river. The river originates in Doon Valley and merges with Hindon river in Ghaziabad which subsequently merges with holy river Yamuna. The Kali river has also got two canals which pass over the river through the two bridges specially made for this purpose. This is a sort of modern civil architectural wonder which attracts some curious onlookers from and around the town to witness and marvel this piece of engineering.
If proper facilities are provided, this place has the potential to be developed as a good tourist spot around the region. This system of river and canals bridges also served as a flood control mechanism where in case of floods, the excess water could be sucked in from the river with the pump set and poured in the canals. The town is situated on a plain flatland with rich alluvium soil and not so deep water table. This makes the land fertile for agriculture.
Kasganj is located at 27.82°N 78.65°E. It has an average elevation of 177 metres (580 feet). Situated on the banks of river Kali, the town is in proximity of the Himalayan foothills. It is located in the Doab, the area between the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and the alluvium soil makes the land one of the most fertile regions. A large number of surrounding villages depend on agriculture and related economic activities.
Kasganj features a humid subtropical climate. Not far from the foothills of the Himalayas, the winters are moderate, with temperature sometimes reaching zero degrees. The summers are hot and dry, with temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C. The monsoon season runs from the end of June to September. During the monsoon season, almost daily showers are not an uncommon phenomenon. From October onward, the weather is pleasant. Proper winter begins in early December.
The shape of Kali river is a unique geographical feature. The river originates in Doon Valley and merges with Ganga near Kanpur,. The Kali river also has two canals / aqueducts which pass over the river over two bridges specially made for this purpose. This attracts some curious onlookers and there is hope for its potential development as a good tourist spot around the region. This modern civil architectural wonder also serves as a flood control mechanism, as excess flood waters could be sucked in from the river with the pump set and poured in the canals.
The economy relies a mix of trading, manufacturing and services. Trade centers on a range of goods, including wholesale dealings, food grains, pulses, vegetables, Sari, hosiery and other clothing materials. On the industrial side, factories and mills process cement, rice, deshi ghee, carpeting, milk and brick. A number of cold storage facilities cater to the huge surrounding agricultural population.
Kasganj has a large railway infrastructure and support staff. This section of society contributes significantly to the local economy. Almost all of the leading national banks have a presence in the town. The town has a few lodges and small hotels.
Kasganj is strategically located and is well connected by road and railway network. It is situated on State Highway no 33 Agra -Budaun -Bareilly (also known as the Mathura-Barielly highway) and is 30 km away from the Grand Trunk Road, approachable from two places - Etah and Sikandra Rao.
Kasganj is located at an important railway junction and railway lines branch out from it in three directions. One goes to Kanpur and further to Lucknow, another to Budaun and the third one to Mathura. The two railway tracks to Kanpur and Mathura are now converted to broad gauge under Unigauge and the third track to Bareilly is being converted to broad gauge. One more interesting fact about Kasganj is that it is surrounded by railway track from all sides. If you enter in Kasganj from any side (means from any road), you have to cross railway track.
These towns are connected to Kasganj by road as well as Railways except Etah which is connected by road only. It is also connected to the capital of India, Delhi through very frequent roadways service. The frequency of road and rail transport to and from Kasganj makes it easily accessible day and night throughout the year. Soron, also known as 'Soronji' among its devotees mostly from Rajasthan is a small town known for its religious significance. It is located only 15 km from Kasganj. Since the construction of the road bridge on the 'Gangaji' it is very convenient to travel toward the Budaun and Bareilly side. Kachhla, a small settlement on the banks of holy river Ganges, locally known as the Ganga, is only 30 km from Kasganj.
Culture of Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh
The Baradwari serves small makeshift shops, providing cloths, daily use items and footwear primarily to the surrounding rural population. During Ramlila season, these makeshift shops give way to temporary performing stages, where the life drama of Lord Rama is played daily after sunset until well into midnight for more than a week, culminating into a huge ceremonious and religious procession known as Raj-Gaddi. It is celebrated in the memory of the coronation of Lord Rama and followed by a procession of beginning of His reign in the ancient holy city of Ayodhya. Chitragupta jayanti is celebrated during the month of Kartik dwitiya in the memory of Lord Chitragupta who was the accountant of Lord Yamraj. In this jayanti 'chitragupta followers' called kayastha, celebrate it with great enthusiasm and processions are taken out which show the glimpses from the life of Lord chitragupta.
Cuisine of Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh
Kasganj is famous for its north Indian sweets especially for Son Papri, Mirchoni
Places of interest in Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh
Although not a tourist destination itself there are a few nearby places of interest, such as Ambedkar park Nadrai Ka Pul, 84 man ka ghanta, Prabhu Park, Chamunda Mandir, Kali Mandir, Bhuteshwar Mandir and Hulka Mandir.
Bihar became the first state in India to have separate web page for every city and village in the state on its website www.brandbihar.com (Now www.brandbharat.com)
See the record in Limca Book of Records 2012 on Page No. 217