Rishra, India
Region: West Bengal
Geographic Coordinates: 22.710000, 88.350000
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 40.0°C (68°F to 104°F)
Climate: Seasonal variations in Rishra’s climate and weather.
Population: 124577
Language: Bengali
Rishra is a city in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, India. It sits on the banks of the river Hooghly and is just 15 km away from Kolkata. The city has a long history dating back to the British era when it was known as Reesher or Reshire. During this time, Rishra was an important center for jute mills and textile industries. Today, Rishra remains significant industrially with several factories producing textiles, Paper and chemicals. The city has become a hub for small-scale industries due to its proximity to Kolkata and easy access to transportation facilities.
Additionally, Rishra boasts a thriving market with shops selling everything from clothing to electronics. One of the most notable landmarks in Rishra is the Bata Shoe Company factory which has been operating since 1931. This factory produces shoes that are sold globally, Not just in India. Another famous landmark in Rishra is Belur Math which was founded by Swami Vivekananda and attracts thousands of visitors each year. Apart from these landmarks, There are several other places worth visiting in Rishra such as Ganges Barrage Park which offers stunning views of river Hooghly and surrounding areas.
There’s also Chandannagar Museum & Institute which showcases artifacts related to French colonization during colonial times. Rishra celebrates many festivals throughout the year such as Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Diwali etc., Where people come together and celebrate with great enthusiasm. The local cuisine here includes traditional Bengali dishes like fish curry (machher jhol), Rice pudding (payesh) among others. In terms of education infrastructure, There are several schools providing quality education up until higher secondary level along with colleges offering undergraduate courses across various disciplines. The city also has a well-equipped hospital and several clinics providing medical facilities to its residents.
Overall, Rishrais an interesting blend of old-world charm and modern development, Making it a unique place to visit or reside in.
- Rishra Railway Station
- Shri Ramkrishna Ashram
- Bata Shoe Factory
- Tarakeswar Temple
- Bandel Church
- Hooghly Imambara
- Chandannagar Museum and Institute (Institut de Chandernagor)
- Nandadulal Mandir
- Rishra is a small town situated in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, India.
- The town has several major industries and businesses that contribute to its economy.
- These include:
- The jute industry
- The textile industry
- The chemical industry
- The leather industry
- The food processing industry
- Small scale industries
- The jute industry has been the backbone of Rishra’s economy for many years and is well-known throughout the country.
- There are several textile mills that manufacture cotton and silk fabrics in Rishra.
- The chemical industry is also present in Rishra with a few factories producing chemicals like sulphuric acid, caustic soda and sodium hypochlorite.
- The leather industry is another significant contributor to the local economy with several tanneries producing high-quality leather goods.
- Apart from these major industries, there are also several small-scale businesses like handicrafts, pottery making and carpentry that contribute to the local economy.
- Overall, the jute industry remains the most significant contributor to Rishra’s economy followed by other small-scale industries.
- Rishra Rebellion: In 1857, Indian soldiers stationed in Rishra rebelled against the British East India Company’s rule, which was one of the major uprisings during the Indian War of Independence.
- Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a prominent social reformer who was born in Birsingha village near Rishra in 1820. He worked towards women’s education, widow remarriage, and other social reforms.
- Ramakrishna Mission: Ramakrishna Mission is a spiritual organization founded by Swami Vivekananda to propagate the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. The organization has its headquarters at Belur Math near Rishra.
- Jatindranath Mukherjee: Jatindranath Mukherjee or Bagha Jatin was an Indian revolutionary who fought against British rule in India. He spent his childhood in Rishra and received his early education there.
- Sarojini Naidu: Sarojini Naidu was an Indian independence activist and poet who visited Rishra during her tour of Bengal to promote women’s rights.
- Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray: Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray was a renowned chemist who made significant contributions to science and technology in India during the early 20th century. He established Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., which had its factory at Panihati near Rishra.
- Meghnad Saha: Meghnad Saha (1893–1956) was an Indian astrophysicist who developed the Saha ionization equation, which explains the formation of spectral lines in stars. He was born in Shaoratoli village near Rishra.
These are some of the most notable historical events and people associated with Rishra, India.
- Shyam Sundar Temple: A popular Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha.
- Rishra Kali Bari: A famous temple dedicated to Goddess Kali.
- Hooghly Imambara: A historical monument built by the Nawab of Bengal in 1841.
- Bandel Church: One of the oldest Christian churches in West Bengal built by the Portuguese in 1599.
- Tarakeswar Temple: A Hindu temple located on the banks of River Hooghly known for its annual fair during Shivratri.
- Chinsurah Dutch Cemetery: An old cemetery with graves dating back to the Dutch colonial era.
- Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s House: The ancestral home of renowned Bengali author Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay converted into a museum showcasing his life and works.
- Chandannagar Museum and Institute (Institut de Chandernagor): A museum exhibiting artifacts related to French colonial history and culture in India.
- Ganges Art Gallery: An art center promoting contemporary Indian art through exhibitions and workshops.
- Rishra Railway Station Museum: This is a small railway station museum showcasing railway heritage from British period till date.
- Durga Puja: This is the most popular festival in Rishra and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. It usually takes place in October and lasts for five days.
- Kali Puja: Another important festival celebrated in Rishra is Kali Puja. It usually occurs in November or December.
- Holi: Holi is a vibrant festival of colors that takes place every year during March.
- Diwali: Diwali, the festival of lights, is also celebrated with great enthusiasm by the people of Rishra.
- Basanta Utsav: Basanta Utsav or Spring Festival is a cultural event that celebrates the arrival of spring season and usually takes place during February or March.
- Eid-ul-Fitr: The Muslim community also celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr with great zeal after completing their month-long fast during Ramadan.
- Christmas: The Christian community also celebrates Christmas with joy and fervor every year on 25th December.
Apart from these festivals, there are other local events such as fairs and melas that take place throughout the year as well as cultural programs organized by various organizations to promote local art forms like music, dance etc.
- Kasturi Restaurant – known for its authentic Bengali cuisine, especially fish dishes.
- Bhojohori Manna – a chain of restaurants serving traditional Bengali food like rice, dal, fish curry, and sweets.
- Biriyani House – famous for its Kolkata-style biryani and kebabs.
- Chittaranjan Mistanna Bhandar – a sweet shop that offers a variety of traditional Bengali sweets like rasgulla, sandesh, and mishti doi.
- Apanjan Restaurant – serves Chinese and Indian cuisine along with some local delicacies like mutton kosha and luchi-aloor dom.
- Mitra Cafe – an old-school cafe that has been serving snacks like cutlet, kachori, samosa since 1920.
- Annapurna Sweets & Snacks – another popular sweet shop that also offers savory snacks like samosas and kachoris.
- The Yellow Chilli by Sanjeev Kapoor – the restaurant serves contemporary Indian cuisine with a modern twist by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor
- Rishra Children’s Park – A popular park with playground equipment, benches, and walking paths.
- Rishra Stadium – A sports complex with facilities for cricket, football, and other outdoor games.
- Rabindra Sarobar – A scenic lake surrounded by gardens and walking trails.
- Kajalpara Park – A small park with a children’s play area and seating.
- Ganga Ghat – A riverside promenade where visitors can take a boat ride or enjoy the sunset view over the river Ganges.
- Chandannagar Strand – Another riverside promenade famous for its colonial-era architecture and cultural events.
- Bata More Park – A green space with a jogging track, cycling path, and open-air gym equipment.
- Hooghly Riverfront Park – An upcoming park along the banks of river Hooghly that will offer boating facilities to visitors once completed in 2022-23.
