Ranaghat is a city and a municipality in Nadia district in the state of West Bengal, India.

After the independence of India, Ranaghat was chosen to be the district capital of Nadia, but later Krishnanagar city was selected instead.

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.

[4] The area grew to prominence when Krishna Panti, a pan seller from the Tili caste, became a wealthy merchant known as one of the "5 Great Noblemen of Bengal" due to his honesty and piety, according to local legend.

The family built 3 palaces, of which the last to remain was in Ranaghat, with 300 rooms, designed by Scottish architects.

[citation needed] 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.

Paddy (rice), flour, wheat and fruits are produced by farmers outside the main township.

A cold storage had been renovated by former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya at Nokari village, located on east half of the town.

[citation needed] The Department of Food Processing Industries of India was planning to set up a market complex exclusively for florists in Ranaghat.

Aishtala (situated on the west bank of river Churni) is a place for textile weaving.

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

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 village named 'Harinagar' is known for 'kirtan',[citation needed] a gathering of Hindu religious people in a motive to know God Krishna, is very popular.

Local trains are available to Krishnanagar City Junction, Shantipur, Gede, Bangaon, Baharampur and Sealdah.

The town has three bus-stands, one at Rathtala, one near Ranaghat College and one over GNPC Road opposite police phari.