A image of Ranaghat Railway Station
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. 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.
বর্তমানে রাণাঘাট নামটি সবাই জানলেও এই নামকরণের পশ্চাতে একাধিক মতামত পাওয়া যায়। কিছু কিছু ইতিহাসবেত্তাদের মতানুসারে, রাণাঘাটের পূর্বনাম ছিল ব্রহ্মডাঙা। চূর্ণী নদীর তীরে অবস্থিত এই প্রাচীন জনপদে রনা বা রানা নামে এক ডাকাতের মূল ঘাঁটি ছিল। তার ভয়ে আশেপাশের গ্রামের বাসিন্দারা কাঁপত। চূর্ণী নদীতে যাত্রী ও পণ্য নিয়ে তখন বড়ো বড়ো নৌকা চলত। তবে রানার ভয়ে সবাই দলবদ্ধ ভাবে যেত। এই ভয়ের কারণেই বাসিন্দারা ব্রহ্মডাঙাকে আর ব্রহ্মডাঙা বলত না। বলত রানার ডাকাতের ঘাঁটি বা রানার ঘাট। এই ভাবেই ব্রহ্মডাঙা হয়ে গেল রাণাঘাট
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. A Hindu festival called 'Dol yatra' is celebrated everywhere at the town. A village named 'Harinagar' is known for 'kirtan', a gathering of Hindu religious people in a motive to know God Krishna, is very popular. History of the ancient rath yatra 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. It is known from earlier accounts that Krishnapanti and Shambhupanti bought the village of Ranaghat on the banks of the river Churni at auction. Today's Ranaghat town is made up of different lands donated by them. Muslim community also present in court para. People from all ethnic/religious groups live together in a peaceful way and. The Christian community celebrates Christmas at Begopara Church outside the main township. 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.