Bagbazar, Historical residential district in North Kolkata, India
Bagbazar is a residential neighborhood in North Kolkata that extends along the Hooghly River and contains several ghats for religious ceremonies. The area features a dense network of streets lined with colonial-era buildings, temples, and religious institutions interspersed throughout.
The neighborhood played a strategic role during the early colonial period, particularly during a military encounter in 1756 that preceded the Battle of Plassey. Its development into a major residential area was closely tied to Kolkata's expansion as a British trading city.
The name comes from the cotton markets that thrived here during colonial times, and this trading heritage remains visible in the old streets and buildings today. The neighborhood continues to function as a gathering place where residents maintain traditions of worship and community celebrations.
The area is well connected by public transportation, including a railway station, bus routes, and river ferries that make movement within and outside easy. Visitors should know that the neighborhood can become quite crowded during festival times, so early visits are advised.
The neighborhood is home to the Ramakrishna Sarada Math, an important spiritual center linked to the Indian saint Sri Ramakrishna, whose first visit here marked a turning point. This institution draws pilgrims and visitors interested in the region's spiritual history.
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