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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Ranaghat
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = City
| pushpin_map = India West Bengal#India3
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal, India
| coordinates = {{coord|23.18|N|88.58|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = [[West Bengal]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Nadia district|Nadia]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Municipal Corporations in India|Municipality]]
| governing_body = Ranaghat Municipality
| leader_title = Chairman
| leader_name = Koshaldev Bandyopadhyay
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|title=Ranaghat City|url=http://www.ranaghatmunicipality.org/|access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref>
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 7.72
| area_metro_km2 = 30
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 8
| population_total = 75365
| population_footnotes =
| population_metro = 235583
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], English
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 741201, 741202, 741256
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 91-3473-2xxxxx
| registration_plate = WB-51, WB-52
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Ranaghat (Lok Sabha constituency)|Ranaghat]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Ranaghat Uttar Paschim (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Ranaghat Uttar Paschim]]
| website = {{URL|www.ranaghat.org/}}
| footnotes =
| image_blank_emblem =
| blank_emblem_size = 400px
| leader_party = [[All India Trinamool Congress]]
| native_name_lang =
| leader_title1 = Vice Chairman
| leader_name1 = Ananda Dey
}}
'''Ranaghat''' is a city and a municipality in [[Nadia district]] in the state of [[West Bengal]], India. It is the headquarters of the [[Ranaghat subdivision]]. It is known for its handloom industry, various types of flowers and floriculture.

== History ==
After the independence of India, Ranaghat was chosen to be the district capital of Nadia, but later [[Krishnanagar, Nadia|Krishnanagar city]] was selected instead.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RANAGHAT POLICE DISTRICT |url=https://ranaghatpolice.wb.gov.in/HistoryRanaghatPoliceDistrict |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=ranaghatpolice.wb.gov.in}}</ref>

Ranaghat has existed since the British invaded India. The most likely origin for the name of the town comes from Rani (Queen) or Rana (a Rajput warrior) and [[Ghat]] (steps leading to the river). A myth is still prevalent that the name of the town came from the bandit 'Rana Dacoit', who used to pillage this area five or six hundred years back and he used to give ''pujas'' to the goddess Kali to thank her.<ref>{{Cite web |title=More to this town than robber Rana |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/more-to-this-town-than-robber-rana/cid/1475274 |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref>

A large percentage of Ranaghat's population are the families of Hindu refugees from Bangladesh, who fled during the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] in 1971 with Pakistan. There are also many families who had extensive ties to foreign investments in the town. Ranaghat also played an important role in the Indian struggle for freedom.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-16 |title=In West Bengal, some villages celebrate Independence Day after August 15; here's why |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/west-bengal-partition-india-independence-day-5908464/ |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

The area grew to prominence when Krishna Panti, a humble pan seller who lived in a mud hut, became one of the wealthiest merchants of India, known as one of the "5 Great Noblemen of Bengal" due to his honesty and piety, according to local legend. Offered the title of raja, he humbly declined, receiving instead the title Pal-Chaudhuri. The family built 3 palaces, of which the last to remain was in Ranaghat, with 300 rooms, designed by Scottish architects. The Pal-Chaudhuri family which ruled much of Nadia, was known for charitable works, building schools and temples throughout Nadia, and established Ranaghat Pal Choudhury High School in 1853.<ref>{{cite web | title=Unraveling the History of Ranaghat: From Brahmadanga to Ranaghat | work=Akhil Bharat Times News | date=2 April 2023 | url=https://abtimeslive.news.blog/2023/04/02/unraveling-the-history-of-ranaghat-from-brahmadanga-to-ranaghat/ }}</ref> Pal Choudhury family founded the Ramakrishna Vedanta Vidyapith, Shakti Empowerment Institute.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alumni Profile: Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri '01, celebrity photographer {{!}} Princeton Alumni Weekly |url=https://paw.princeton.edu/article/alumni-profile-indrani-pal-chaudhuri-01-celebrity-photographer |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=paw.princeton.edu |language=en}}</ref>

== Geography ==
{{OSM Location map
| width=400| height=250| zoom=10
| coord={{coord|23|14|0|N|88|32|0|E}}| float=left|caption='''Cities and towns in Ranaghat subdivision of Nadia district''' M: municipal town/ city/notified area, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre. Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
|mark-coord1={{coord|23|13|53|N|88|23|15|E}} | label-pos1=left|label1=Nrisinghapur | numbered1=CT| mark-title1= [[Nrisinghapur]] (CT)|label-color1=#800000 |label-size1=11| mark-size1=12|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1=#A40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2
|mark-coord2={{coord|23|14|0|N|88|25|0|E}} | label-pos2=bottom|label2=Ghoralia | numbered2=CT| mark-title2= [[Ghoralia]] (CT)
|mark-coord3={{coord|23|15|15|N|88|28|52|E}} | label-pos3=left|label3= Harinadibhastsala | numbered3=CT| mark-title3= [[Harinadibhastsala]] (CT)
|mark-coord4={{coord|23|13|50|N|88|28|7|E}} | label-pos4=right|label4= Beharia | numbered4=CT| mark-title4= [[Beharia, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord5={{coord|23|12|5|N|88|30|22|E}} | label-pos5=left|label5= Phulia | numbered5=CT| mark-title5= [[Phulia]] (CT)
|mark-coord6={{coord|23|20|40|N|88|38|38|E}} | label-pos6=right|label6= Bagula | numbered6=CT| mark-title6= [[Bagula]] (CT)
|mark-coord7={{coord|23|18|45|N|88|31|48|E}} | label-pos7=right|label7= Badkulla | numbered7=CT| mark-title7= [[Badkulla]] (CT)
|mark-coord8={{coord|23|18|50|N|88|30|55|E}} | label-pos8=left|label8= Patuli | numbered8=CT| mark-title8= [[Patuli, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord9={{coord|23|17|20|N|88|31|47|E}} | label-pos9=right|label9= Gangni | numbered9=CT| mark-title9= [[Gangni]] (CT)
|mark-coord10={{coord|23|13|50|N|88|33|20|E}} | label-pos10=right|label10= Kamgachhi | numbered10=CT| mark-title10= [[Kamgachhi]] (CT)
|mark-coord11={{coord|23|12|55|N|88|33|40|E}} | label-pos11=left|label11= Raghabpur | numbered11=CT| mark-title11= [[Raghabpur, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord12={{coord|23|12|0|N|88|32|18|E}} | label-pos12=right|label12= Panpara | numbered12=CT| mark-title12= [[Panpara]] (CT)
|mark-coord13={{coord|23|11|15|N|88|33|32|E}} | label-pos13=left|label13= Aistala | numbered13=CT| mark-title13= [[Aistala]] (CT)
|mark-coord14={{coord|23|8|55|N|88|33|2|E}} | label-pos14=left|label14= Satigachha | numbered14=CT| mark-title14= [[Satigachha]] (CT)
|mark-coord15={{coord|23|8|15|N|88|33|6|E}} | label-pos15=left|label15= Anulia | numbered15=CT| mark-title15= [[Anulia]] (CT)
|mark-coord16={{coord|23|6|55|N|88|32|44|E}} | label-pos16=right|label16= Gopalpur | numbered16=CT| mark-title16= [[Gopalpur, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord17={{coord|23|6|10|N|88|33|20|E}} | label-pos17=right|label17= Parbbatipur | numbered17=CT| mark-title17= [[Parbbatipur]] (CT)
|mark-coord18={{coord|23|12|45|N|88|35|18|E}} | label-pos18=right|label18= Halalpur Krishnapur | numbered18=CT| mark-title18= [[Halalpur Krishnapur]] (CT)
|mark-coord19={{coord|23|11|15|N|88|35|0|E}} | label-pos19=right|label19= Hijuli | numbered19=CT| mark-title19= [[Hijuli, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord20={{coord|23|9|40|N|88|34|44|E}} | label-pos20=right|label20= Ranaghat (CT) | numbered20=CT| mark-title20= [[Ranaghat (CT)]] (CT)
|mark-coord21={{coord|23|8|5|N|88|34|24|E}} | label-pos21=right|label21= Nasra | numbered21=CT| mark-title21= [[Nasra, Ranaghat]] (CT)
|mark-coord22={{coord|23|7|51|N|88|38|38|E}} | label-pos22=right|label22= Gangnapur | numbered22=CT| mark-title22= [[Gangnapur]] (CT)
|mark-coord23={{coord|23|5|50|N|88|31|45|E}} | label-pos23=left|label23= Belgharia | numbered23=CT| mark-title23= [[Belgharia, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord24={{coord|23|10|30|N|88|31|40|E}} | label-pos24=left|label24= Ranaghat | numbered24=M| mark-title24= Ranaghat (M) |shape-color24=black| label-size24=13|label-color24=black 
|mark-coord25={{coord|23|16|4|N|88|26|13|E}} | label-pos25=left|label25= Shantipur |label-size25=13 | numbered25=M| mark-title25= [[Shantipur]] (M)|label-color25=#800000
|mark-coord26={{coord|23|15|25|N|88|33|29|E}} | label-pos26=right|label26= Birnagar |label-size26=13 | numbered26=M| mark-title26= [[Birnagar]] (M)|label-color26=#800000
|mark-coord27={{coord|23|8|50|N|88|35|21|E}} | label-pos27=right|label27= Cooper's Camp |label-size27=11 | numbered27=M| mark-title27= [[Cooper's Camp]] (M)|label-color27=#800000
|mark-coord28={{coord|23|16|25|N|88|32|8|E}} | label-pos28=right|label28= Taherpur |label-size28=11 | numbered28=M| mark-title28= [[Taherpur]] (M)|label-color28=#800000
|mark-coord29={{coord|23|13|34|N|88|40|30|E}} | label-pos29=right|label29= Panikhali| numbered29=R| mark-title29= [[Panikhali]] (R)| shape-color29=#C40000
|mark-coord30={{coord|23|14|34|N|88|36|17|E}} | label-pos30=right|label30= Aranghata| numbered30=R| mark-title30= [[Aranghata]] (R)| shape-color30=#C40000
|mark-coord31={{coord|23|14|44|N|88|42|21|E}} | label-pos31=top|label31= Duttapulia| numbered31=R| mark-title31= [[Duttapulia]] (R)| shape-color31=#C40000
|mark-coord32={{coord|23|22|3|N|88|36|4|E}} | label-pos32=left|label32= Hanskhali| numbered32=R| mark-title32= [[Hanskhali]] (R)| shape-color32=#C40000
|mark-coord33={{coord|23|9|35|N|88|30|38|E}} | label-pos33=left|label33= Habibpur| numbered33=R| mark-title33= [[Habibpur, Nadia]] (R)| shape-color33=#C40000
|mark-coord34={{coord|23|11|58|N|88|37|50|E}} | label-pos34=right|label34= Dhantala| numbered34=R| mark-title34= [[Dhantala]] (R)| shape-color34=#C40000
|mark-coord35={{coord|23|10|27|N|88|35|48|E}} | label-pos35=right|label35= Nokari| numbered35=R| mark-title35= [[Nokari]] (R)| shape-color35=#C40000
|mark-coord36={{coord|23|6|50|N|88|31|25|E}} | label-pos36=left|label36= Payradanga| numbered36=R| mark-title36= [[Payradanga]] (R)| shape-color36=#C40000
|mark-coord37={{coord|23|18|0|N|88|21|0|E}}|label37= Bhagirathi| labela37=River|label-color37 = #77A1CB| label-angle37=-75| label-pos37=top| label-size37=11| mark-size37=0| mark-title37=none
|mark-coord38={{coord|23|19|40|N|88|35|0|E}}|label38= Churni |labela38 = River| label-color38 = #77A1CB| label-angle38=-65| label-pos38=top| label-size38=11| mark-size38=0| mark-title38=none
|arc-coordA={{coord|23|22|30|N|88|46|0|E}}|arc-textA= BANGLADESH| arc-text-colorA=hard grey| arc-angleA=70| arc-gapA=3.0| arc-radiusA=0.35}}

===Location===
The town is exactly 74 kilometres north of [[Calcutta]] and 26 kilometres south of [[Krishnanagar, Nadia|Krishnanagar]], Nadia District headquarter. It is located on the banks of [[River Churni]].

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. All the four subdivisions are presented with maps on the same scale – the size of the maps vary as per the area of the subdivision.

==Police station==
Ranaghat and Taherpur police stations have jurisdiction over Ranaghat, [[Birnagar]], [[Taherpur]] and [[Ranaghat I]] CD Block.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook | title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Nadia | work = Table 2.1 | publisher = Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 7 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://nadiapolice.gov.in/ | title = Nadia District Police | work = Police Unit | publisher = West Bengal Police | access-date = 17 May 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170528060640/http://nadiapolice.gov.in/ | archive-date = 28 May 2017 | url-status = live }}</ref> The total area covered by the Ranaghat police station is 250 km2 and the population covered was 624,151 in 2001.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://nadiapolice.gov.in/PSDETAILS.html | title = Ranaghat Police Station Details | publisher = Nadia Police | access-date = 17 May 2017 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160329131028/http://nadiapolice.gov.in/PSDETAILS.html | archive-date = 29 March 2016 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{see also|List of cities in West Bengal}}

{{As of|2001}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Ranaghat had a population of 68,754.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/India-WestBengal.html |title=City Population site estimate |access-date=15 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527080128/http://www.citypopulation.de/India-WestBengal.html |archive-date=27 May 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Ranaghat had an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy was 87%, and female literacy was 80%. In Ranaghat, 8% of the population was under 6 years old.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}

In the 2011 census, Ranaghat [[Urban Agglomeration]] had a population of 235,583, out of which 119,578 were male and 116,005 were female. The 0–6 years population was 18,575. Effective literacy rate for the 7+ population was 86.10%. Male literacy was 89.77% and female literacy at 82.33%<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title = Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above | work = Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 | access-date = 2011-10-21 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111113152754/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | archive-date = 13 November 2011 | url-status = live }}</ref>

The following municipalities, notified area, outgrowths and census towns were part of Ranaghat Urban Agglomeration in 2011 census: Ranaghat (M), [[Birnagar]] (M), [[Cooper's Camp]] (NA), Magurkhali (OG), [[Ranaghat (CT)]] (CT), [[Hijuli, Nadia|Hijuli]] (CT), [[Aistala]] (CT), [[Satigachha]] (CT), [[Nasra, Ranaghat|Nasra]] (CT), [[Panpara]] (CT), [[Raghabpur, Nadia|Raghabpur]] (CT), [[Kamgachhi]] (CT), [[Anulia]] (CT) and [[Halalpur Krishnapur]] (CT).<ref>{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_4_PR_UAs_1Lakh_and_Above_Appendix.pdf | title= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 | work= Constituents of Urban Agglomeration Having Population Above 1 Lakh |publisher= Census of India 2011 | access-date = 18 October 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Churni Bridge.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Churni Bridge]]
[[File:Siddeshwari Kali Mandir.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Siddeshwari Temple]]

== Economy ==
[[File:Shankarpur Farmland.jpg|200px|thumb|right|A farmland in Shankarpur, Ranaghat outskirt]]
Ranaghat is an important place of business. Small traders from nearby towns and villages purchase goods from Ranaghat Town Bazar. Both wholesale and retail business have developed here. The economy of Ranaghat and its surrounding region is mostly based on agriculture. Paddy (rice), flour, wheat and fruits are produced by farmers outside the main township. Various dairy products are transported to [[Kolkata]] every morning. A cold storage had been renovated by former chief minister [[Buddhadeb Bhattacharya]] at [[Nokari]] village, located on east half of the town.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}

The Department of Food Processing Industries of India was planning to set up a market complex exclusively for florists in Ranaghat.<ref>[http://www.wbfpih.org/sectors.htm Flower Complex at Ranaghat] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620064643/http://www.wbfpih.org/sectors.htm |date=2008-06-20 }} Food Processing and Horticulture Department, West Bengal.</ref> Ranaghat has one of the most capturing market of flowers in West Bengal.<ref>[http://www.wbidc.com/about_wb/agro.htm Flower Market in Ranaghat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214215031/http://www.wbidc.com/about_wb/agro.htm |date=14 February 2008 }} WBIDC Reference</ref>

Another industry which receives immense government patronage is [[handicraft]] and [[boutique]]s. At least a 1000 people depend on this for their livelihood. Aishtala (situated on the west bank of river Churni) is a place for textile weaving. Moreover, ready-made garments are trendy clothes of late became very popular among the teens and youths.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100523/jsp/bengal/story_12478951.jsp |title=Telegraph article on clothes market at Ranaghat |access-date=23 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026074715/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100523/jsp/bengal/story_12478951.jsp |archive-date=26 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Education ==
{{unreferenced section |date= June 2018}}
[[File:PCHS School.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Pal Chaudhary High School]][[File:Ranaghat College Main Gate.jpg|thumb|200px|Ranaghat College Entrance]]
[[File:St mary's english school.jpg|thumb|200px|St Mary's English School]]
[[File:BRAJABALA_GIRLS_PRIMARY_SCHOOL_-_panoramio.jpg|220x124px|thumb|right|Brojobala Girls' High School]]

The town has a large number of primary and high schools and a college for higher education.

===Schools===
* Ramakrishna Vidyapith - Shakti Empowerment Education

===High schools===
Boys School
* [[Pal Choudhury High School]] (H.S)
* Ranaghat Lal Gopal High school
* Ranaghat Bharati High School (H.S)
* Ranaghat Yusuf Boys Institution
* Ranaghat Nasra Boys High School

Girls School
* [[Brajabala Girls' High School]]
* Ranaghat Debnath Girls High School
* Ranaghat Nasra Girls High School
* Ranaghat Pal Chowdhury Girls High School
* Ranaghat Yusuf Girls High School
* Ranaghat Lal Gopal Girls High School

English Medium School
* Convent of Jesus & Mary (CJM)
* St. Mary's High School
* St. Stephen's High School

===Colleges===
* [[Ranaghat College]]
* Ranaghat Government Polytechnic

==Culture==
=== Festivals ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2019}}
The town is inhabited mostly by Bengali Hindus. Durga-puja and Kali puja, like in all other Bengali communities, are the largest and most colourful festivals and are celebrated throughout the town.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bej5YgFPFXo YouTube]</ref>

A Hindu festival called 'Dol yatra' is celebrated everywhere at the town. A village named 'Harinagar' is known for 'kirtan',{{citation needed|date=May 2019}} a gathering of Hindu religious people in a motive to know God Krishna, is very popular.

History of the ancient rath yatra<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 July 2021|title=রানাঘাটের প্রাচীন রথযাত্রার ইতিহাস|work=[[Ranaghat News]]|url=https://ranaghatnews.in/history_of_ranaghat_rathyatra/|access-date=30 July 2021}}</ref> of Ranaghat: The history of Pal-Chowdhury and De-Chowdhury is closely associated with the Rath Yatra of the ancient city of Ranaghat. The 3 ancient chariots of Ranaghat are in the hands of this dynasty. Two different dynasties of the Pal Chowdhury ratha yatra in different ways. One is Krishnapanti and the other is Shambhupanti.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nahabatkhana |url=https://wbhc.in/home/place_details/MzA5MmVhYjEyZWM0MWFlNWY2N2Y4MzEyMzEyZTM2YzJlYmI2OGRiODY1OGU4N2E0Y2Y0NjA4YjViMmE1YzFmNTJkOTFiNDNkOGZlODgwNTlmZWY3YjZkNjlhNjRjN2UzOGQ0ODA2NzdmMWRiMWZkMzU3ZGI5NGY2M2NkMDVhMmM0UFVSN0tUdEV0M1VYZkM4ajZGM0V1aGsrNkR3VkRYWnF5cFpVYTdLeThnPQ== |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=West Bengal Heritage Commission |language=en-IN}}</ref>

Muslim community also present in court para. The [[Christians|Christian community]] celebrates Christmas at Begopara Church outside the main township.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Roy |first=Dr Sujit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zcTOEAAAQBAJ&dq=ranaghat+Pal-Chowdhury+history&pg=PT58 |title=Emerging Horizons For Women Entrepreneurship: A Sociological Enquiry |date=2023-08-02 |publisher=Bani Bharati Publishers |language=en}}</ref> During Christmas, people from all religions join the party. Moreover, there is a mosque at Nasra-para, on the outskirts of the town. Here people celebrate Eid, Durga Puja, Diwali and Christmas together.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGZkDPD0AzM YouTube]</ref>

== Transportation ==
===Railways===
[[File:Ranaghat_railway_station_11.jpg|left|thumb|Ranaghat railway station]]{{stnlnk|Ranaghat}} is one of the most important railway junctions in the [[Sealdah]]–[[Lalgola]] railway section. The "[[Maitree Express]]" linking [[Kolkata]] and [[Dhaka]] passes through Ranaghat.

The city is well connected to the [[Sealdah railway station]] through the [[Sealdah–Ranaghat line]]. Local and passenger trains are available frequently.

The railway station at Ranaghat has a long history. The Sealdah–Ranaghat rail connection was made during the British period. This main line was opened in September 1862. Ranaghat–Kalyani and Ranaghat–Shantipur sections were electrified in the financial year 1963–64.<ref>[http://www.irfca.org/docs/electrification-history.html IRFCA reference] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225163912/http://irfca.org/docs/electrification-history.html |date=25 December 2007 }} History of Railways Electrification surrounding Ranaghat</ref>

From Ranaghat railway station,<ref>[http://www.india9.com/i9show/Ranaghat-67160.htm Train-routes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606040839/http://www.india9.com/i9show/Ranaghat-67160.htm |date=6 June 2011 }} Article on India9.com</ref> trains travel both north and south. Local trains are available to {{stnlnk|Krishnanagar City Junction}}, [[Shantipur]], [[Gede, Nadia|Gede]], [[Bangaon]], [[Baharampur]] and [[Sealdah]]. Couple of ladies-special trains were inaugurated in the year 2010.<ref>[http://www.newsfromnadia.com/news-reader/items/working-women-got-priority-from-the-railway-minister.html] Mamata Banerjee inaugurates new projects {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714174030/http://www.newsfromnadia.com/news-reader/items/working-women-got-priority-from-the-railway-minister.html|date=14 July 2011}}</ref>

===Roadways===
[[File:Ranaghat Street.jpg|thumb|Streets of Ranaghat.]]
The town has three bus-stands, one at Rathtala, one near Ranaghat College and one over GNPC Road opposite police phari. [[Calcutta State Transport Corporation|CSTC]] buses plying from Kolkata going to North Bengal also has a stop at Ranaghat on NH-34. Buses ply to Krishnanagar, [[Hanskhali]], [[Palashi]] and other parts of Nadia district. Long-distance night buses to [[north Bengal]] are also available. People in general, though prefer trains because of ready availability and more convenience.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}

[[State Highway 11 (West Bengal)|SH 11]] meets [[National Highway 12 (India)|NH 12]] at Ranaghat.<ref name="renumber">{{cite web|url=http://dorth.gov.in/writereaddata/sublinkimages/finaldoc6143316640.pdf|title=Rationalisation of Numbering Systems of National Highways|publisher=Department of Road Transport and Highways|access-date=7 February 2017|location=New Delhi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201124738/http://dorth.gov.in/writereaddata/sublinkimages/finaldoc6143316640.pdf|archive-date=1 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wbtrafficpolice.com/state-highways.php | title = List of State Highways in West Bengal | publisher = West Bengal Traffic Police | access-date = 7 February 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161219094346/http://wbtrafficpolice.com/state-highways.php | archive-date = 19 December 2016 | url-status = live }}</ref>

[[Auto rickshaw]] service are also available here.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}

===Airways===
The nearest airport from the town is the [[Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport]] at [[Dum Dum]], almost 65 km from the town.

== Notable people ==
* [[Joy Goswami]], poet and essayist
* [[Mausumi Dikpati]], scientist at the [[High Altitude Observatory]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://staff.ucar.edu/users/dikpati|title=Staff Directory, NCAR|access-date=17 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319102001/https://staff.ucar.edu/users/dikpati|archive-date=19 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> operated by the [[National Center for Atmospheric Research]], USA
* [[Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri]], ancestral place for this Indian-Canadian-British director and photographer
* [[Rakhee Gulzar]], film actress
* [[Prabhat Kumar Mukhopadhyaya]], a Bengali author best known for his biography of Rabindranath Tagore
* [[Soma Biswas]], an internationally recognized athlete
* [[Susmita Bose]], Indian-American scientist, Herbert and Brita Lindholm endowed Chair Professor, [[Washington State University]]
* [[Indranil Biswas]], Indian-American Microbiologist. Fulbright Scholar.
* [[Nikhil Nandy]], Indian Olympian
* Bholanath Bandyopadhyay, poet of the elegiac poem 'Ashru'.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage inline|Ranaghat}}
* [https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Ranaghat&ie=UTF8&ll=23.18676,88.60405&spn=0.1417,0.219727&t=h&z=12&iwloc=addr Ranaghat on Google Maps]
* [https://www.ranaghat.gov.in Ranaghat Sub Division Official HomePage]

{{Nadia District}}
{{Nadia topics}}
{{Municipalities of West Bengal}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Nadia district]]
[[Category:Cities in West Bengal]]

Ranaghat - Revision history

Ronny14Z58 at 12:09, 24 March 2026