Uttarpāra, India
Region: West Bengal
Geographic Coordinates: 22.670000, 88.350000
Temperature Range: 18.0°C to 35.0°C (64°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 159147
Language: Bengali
Uttarpāra is a beautiful town located in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, India. It sits on the western bank of River Hooghly and is surrounded by lush greenery and scenic beauty. The town has a rich history dating back to the 16th century when it was ruled by the Mughals, Later becoming an important center for trade and commerce during British rule. The town’s most famous attraction is the Ananta Basudeba Temple, Built in 1679 AD by Raja Rajendra Narayan Roy. This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and features intricate carvings and sculptures that are worth admiring.
Another popular attraction in Uttarpāra is Kuthi Bari, Which was once a residence of Rabindranath Tagore’s family during their stay in this town. The house has now been converted into a museum showcasing various artifacts related to Tagore’s life and works. Uttarpāra also offers several parks and gardens where visitors can spend some peaceful time amidst nature. Millennium Park provides stunning views of River Hooghly along with well-manicured lawns, Fountains, And walking paths.
For history enthusiasts, There are several monuments that showcase Uttarpāra’s past glory such as Dutch Cemetery which dates back to the 17th century when Dutch traders used to visit this town for business purposes. The local cuisine of Uttarpāra deserves special mention as it offers a unique blend of flavors typical to Bengali cuisine but with its own distinct twist. Some popular dishes include fish curry, Chingri malai curry (prawn curry), Macher jhol (fish stew), Luchi-aloo dum (deep-fried bread served with spicy potato curry) and rasgulla (a famous Bengali sweet).
Uttarpāra is a hidden gem in West Bengal that offers a perfect blend of history, Culture, And natural beauty. Whether you are interested in visiting temples, Exploring museums or simply enjoying the scenic beauty of River Hooghly, Uttarpāra has something for everyone. So if you are planning to visit West Bengal anytime soon, Don’t forget to add this charming town to your itinerary.
- Tarakeswar Temple
- Buro Shiv Mandir
- Dakshineswar Kali Temple
- Belur Math
- Howrah Bridge
- Victoria Memorial
- St Paul’s Cathedral
- Indian Museum Kolkata
- Marble Palace Mansion
- Kalighat Kali Temple
- The town is known for its jute mills that produce high-quality jute products.
- There are several textile mills that manufacture cotton and silk fabrics.
- The area also has many chemical factories that produce dyes, paints, and other chemicals.
- Engineering firms in Uttarpāra specialize in manufacturing machinery and equipment.
- Food processing units located within the town produce snacks, sweets, and other food items.
- Retail shops sell various goods such as clothing to electronics.
- The education sector is well-developed with several schools, colleges, and universities offering quality education to students from all over India.
- The healthcare sector is also robust with many hospitals, clinics, nursing homes providing healthcare services to people living in Uttarpāra as well as nearby areas.
- The Uttarpāra Conspiracy was a plot to assassinate British officials in India, including the Governor of Bengal, in 1910. It was led by revolutionaries Barin Ghosh and Jatindranath Mukherjee.
- Swami Vivekananda spent several years in Uttarpāra during his early life and founded the Ramakrishna Math and Mission to promote spiritual and social welfare.
- Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a scholar and social reformer who worked towards women’s education and widow remarriage. He also established a school in Uttarpāra known as Vidyasagar Shishu Niketan.
- Rishi Aurobindo was an Indian philosopher, yogi, guru, poet, and nationalist who spent some time in Uttarpāra during his early life.
- Satyajit Ray lived in Uttarpāra during his childhood days before becoming internationally acclaimed for his work as a Bengali filmmaker such as Pather Panchali (1955).
- Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote the national song Vande Mataram and worked as Deputy Magistrate at Uttarpara for some time.
- Sarojini Naidu visited Uttarpara on several occasions to deliver speeches on women’s rights and Indian independence movement; she is also known as The Nightingale of India.
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had close ties with Uttarpāra through his brother Sarat Chandra Bose who was the Congress MLA from the constituency.
- Mahatma Gandhi visited Uttarpara in 1925 during his tour of Bengal to promote the Non-Cooperation Movement.
- Rabindranath Tagore had close ties with Uttarpāra through his wife Mrinalini Devi who hailed from there; he also visited her ancestral house on several occasions. Tagore is a Nobel laureate poet and philosopher.
- The Uttarpāra Science Centre
- The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture
- The Chandannagar Museum and Institute
- The Tarakeswar Temple
- The Serampore College
- The Barrackpore Mangal Pandey Park and Memorial
- The Dakshineswar Kali Temple
- Belur Math
- Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata (located nearby)
- Indian Museum, Kolkata (located nearby)
- India has a rich sporting history and has produced many world-class athletes across various disciplines.
- Some of the most popular sports played in India include:
- Cricket
- Football (soccer)
- Field hockey
- Badminton
- Tennis
- Kabaddi
- In Uttarpāra specifically, there may be local teams that play these sports or other regional favorites like kho-kho or gilli-danda.
- Additionally, there may be school or college teams that participate in inter-school or inter-college tournaments.
- Overall, it is clear that sport plays an important role in Indian culture and identity.
- Durga Puja is a popular festival in Uttarpāra, celebrated for 10 days to mark the victory of Goddess Durga over evil.
- Kali Puja is another important festival dedicated to Goddess Kali and falls on the new moon day of Kartik.
- Saraswati Puja celebrates the goddess of knowledge and wisdom during January or February.
- Jagaddhatri Puja celebrates another form of Goddess Durga who symbolizes power and strength.
- Bengali New Year (Poila Baisakh) starts a new year according to Bengali calendar on April 14th every year.
- Rath Yatra involves a grand procession where Lord Jagannath’s chariot is pulled by devotees through the streets of Uttarpāra.
- Diwali, also known as Festival of Lights, signifies triumph over darkness and evil forces with light and goodness.
- Holi, a colorful festival that signifies love and friendship among people from all walks of life, has its own unique celebration in Uttarpāra too!
- Maa Tara Hotel: This restaurant is famous for its Bengali cuisine and seafood dishes.
- Uttarpāra Fish House: As the name suggests, this restaurant specializes in fish dishes like fish fry, fish curry, and fish cutlet.
- Kasturi Restaurant: This vegetarian restaurant offers a variety of North Indian and South Indian dishes.
- The Pizzeria: This Italian restaurant serves delicious pizzas along with other Italian delicacies like pasta and lasagna.
- Bhojohori Manna: Another Bengali cuisine specialist, this restaurant is known for its authentic taste and traditional preparation methods.
- Aaheli Restaurant: A fine-dining option in Uttarpāra, Aaheli serves a range of Indian cuisines including Bengali, North Indian, and Mughlai dishes.
- Golbari Kosha Mangsho: This iconic establishment is famous for its slow-cooked mutton curry (kosha mangsho) which has been a favorite among locals for decades.
- Kazi Nazrul Islam Park: This popular park is located in the heart of the town and is perfect for morning walks, evening strolls, jogging, and cycling.
- Rabindra Sarobar: Situated near the railway station, this park has a lake where boating facilities are available.
- Rishi Bankim Chandra Park: A small park that offers a peaceful environment for people to relax or read books.
- Uttarpāra Stadium: The stadium hosts various sports events like cricket matches, football matches, etc.
- Kali Temple Grounds: This place has an open ground where people can play cricket or football or go for morning walks.
- Baranagar Math Grounds: Another popular spot for playing cricket or football.
- Ganges Riverfront Promenade: A beautiful promenade along the banks of river Ganges provides an excellent view of the river and its surroundings while taking a stroll or doing yoga exercises early morning.
- Jai Hind Club Grounds – A popular club with facilities such as swimming pool, tennis court etc., which can be availed by members only
