Located in the heart of the Bengal delta, Nadia has a fertile land with five major rivers Bhagirathi, Jalangi, Mathabhanga, Churni and Ichhamati flowing through it. Bound by River Hooghly in the west, Murshidabad is in the north and North 24-Parganas and capital of the state Kolkata fall to the south of Nadia. Agricultural activity is of high standard with rice and jute being the major crops.
The probable origin of the name of this district goes to the legend which says that a hermit used to perform tantrik rituals by lighting nine lamps or nau diya, on this newly formed island thus giving it a name of Naudiya and later Nadia. The headquarters of this district is Krishnanagar, an ancient town. Nadia reached the height of its prosperity during the reign of Maharaja Krishnachandra. It was this king who fought the battle of Plassey with Robert Clive against Shiraj-ud-Daulah. Today Nadia is famous for its beautiful earthen sculptures made by the local artisans.
Teaching Sanskrit has been the unique tradition in Nadia. It was in Nadia that sage Chaitanya Mahaprabhu developed the Vaishnav sect preaching devotion to Lord Vishnu.
