This beautiful district of West Bengal is a vibrant place full of culture and life. However, with eleven unique places to visit, you will need more activities or things to do. In this article, we’ll explore the top 11 must-visit places in Hooghly that will give you an unforgettable experience.
From temples to historic monuments, there’s something for everyone here. So let’s get exploring!
History of Hoogly
The city of Hoogly in the Indian state of West Bengal has a long and exciting past that goes back to early times.
“Hoogly” is derived from the Bengali word “Hooghli,” which means a river or stream.
It was an important center for trade and commerce during the medieval period, with merchants from all over India and Arabia, Persia, and Southeast Asia visiting its bustling markets.
In the 16th century, Hoogly became a Portuguese colony before being taken over by the Dutch and finally falling under British rule in 1757. It was a significant hub for jute production and processing during this time.
10 Places to visit in Hooghly
1. Bandel Church
Bandel Church, also called the “Basilica of the Holy Rosary,” is one of West Bengal’s most important and oldest sites. This ancient Roman Catholic church is in Bandel, Hooghly.
It was built in 1599 when the Portuguese were living in Bengal. It happened when Bandel was used as a trading port.
Every day, a lot of people come to this holy place. The place stays busy during Christmas.
The famous place is also known for its beautiful building and quiet atmosphere. On the church grounds, the Holy Cross, the clock tower, and the graveyard are trendy places to visit.
2. Itachuna Rajbari
The Itachuna Rajbari in the Hooghly area is the best place to feel like a king or queen. The grand house shows the beautiful and complete history of the British Era.
Itachuna Rajbari is also known as “Bargee Danga,” which is another name for it. It is one of West Bengal’s most famous Rajbaris.
Beautiful fields and grounds over a large area surround the big, bright red house. There are many reasons to visit this historical site.
The Rajbari Tour is only offered when asked for. A large room named after “members of the family” is well-furnished on the inside.
There are places to fish, grow plants, fly kites, and get a massage on your body or feet. This place is also a favorite place for pre-wedding pictures and photos.
3. Hooghly Imambara – Places To Visit In Hooghly
On the shore of the River Hooghly, the Hooghly Imambara is one of the oldest cultural and historical places in Bengal. The beautiful and large mosque is one of the must-see places in the Hooghly area.
Hooghly Imambara is a mosque with two floors. The building has many hallways, extensive gardens, a grand watch tower, a sun clock, and beautiful architecture.
The expansive patio has a water tank and a few waterfalls in the middle. However, the main thing to see in Bara Imambara is the Zaridalan, the central prayer place.
The inside of the mosque will hypnotize you with its black and white marble floors, Quran verses written on the walls, lights hanging from the ceiling, and the Imam’s chair. From the top of the twin tower, you can also see how beautiful the Jubilee Bridge and Hooghly River are.
4. Hangseshwari Temple
The Hangseshwari Temple is in Bansberia, between Tribeni and Bandel. It is on the banks of the river Hooghly.
The temple’s design, built at the beginning of the 19th century, is unusual and one-of-a-kind.
It has 13 towers, each resembling a “bud of a lotus petal.” It’s one of Moscow’s holy architectural wonders.
The temple inside looks like a human body, with clay decorations. People come to the temple to see its unique design and ask Goddess Hangseshwari, a form of Goddess Kali, to bless them.
The god is a four-armed neem figure that is blue. The Archeological Survey of India has turned the temple into a famous historical spot.
5. Serampore Rajbari – Places To Visit In Hooghly
The Goswamis of Serampore lives in the Serampore Rajbari in Hooghly, a vast palace. It was built by Hari Narayan Goswami’s son Raghuram Goswami between 1815 and 1820.
This Rajbari is integral to Bengali building, society, and history. The building will surely amaze you with its tall columns, passageways that connect, and decorations.
Everyone in West Bengal knows about this Rajbari’s Bonedi Bari Puja, which is held on the ThalurDalan. The Goswami family of Serampore has been worshiping Ek Chala Durga for almost 300 years.
This Bonedi bari Durga puja follows three Puranas, Debi Puran, Brihat Nandikeshwar Puran, and Kalika Puran. Aside from Durgapuja, holidays like KaliPuja, Dhol Yatra, Jhulan Yatra, and Ras Purnima are marked with pomp and excitement.
The “Ashtadhatu” (eight metal) of the Radharani figure is the most exciting thing about the Rajbari. It also has a lot of Dutch elements and has been the site of several events involving Dutch Commissioners.
6. Tarakeshwar Temple
Lord Taraknath is a form of Lord Shiva. The Tarakeshwar Temple is in the town of Tarakeshwar in the Hooghly District.
It is a place of worship for Lord Taraknath. People think of it as one of the essential Jyotirlingas in India.
In 1729, Raja Bharamalla built the temple, which is very old. It is made in the style of an Atchala or nat mandir.
It has four roofs above the sanctum sanctorum and long halls where many worshippers can gather. The temple has shrines for Goddess Kali and Lakshmi Narayan and the main shrine for Baba Tarakanath.
The Dudh Pukur Tank is a holy tank next to the temple. On Maha Shivaratri, Sravan Month, Neel Puja, Charak Puja, Gajan Celebration, and Chaitra Sankranti, thousands of people come to this holy place where Lord Mahadev lives.
7. Chandanagar Museum – Places To Visit In Hooghly
One of the oldest and best museums in West Bengal is the Chandannagar Museum. This museum was set up in 1952 in Dupleix House.
It shows France’s rich foreign past. The museum has an old collection of gifts given to Harihar Sett, the first president of the free city of Chandernagore and an expert on history.
This museum displays French relics, Anglo-French War Canyons, 18th-century timber furniture, and the governor-general’s goods. Visit this museum to learn about French imperial rule.
There are also well-kept grounds and a figure of Marianne at the front of the Museum.
8. Chinsurah Dutch Cemetery
The Dutch Cemetery in Chinsurah, Hooghly, has a lot of history. It is one of India’s oldest cemeteries and a well-known historical spot in West Bengal.
There are about 45 graves there. The Dutch Cemetery was started by Louis Taillefert, who used to be the head of the United East Indian Company.
The Dutch Cemetery still reminds us how great the Dutch Era was. Some tombs are enormous, while others are tiny.
Aside from being necessary in history, the place has a mysterious feel. It is surrounded by greenery and has graves and paths in between.
9. Lahiri Baba Ashram
Lahiri Baba Ashram, also called Lahiri Temple, is a holy place in the village of Rajhat, Hooghly. Hence, it is also known as Lahiri Baba Ashram.
The beautiful white temple is a great place to find peace in nature.
At the opening of this small lake temple is a beautiful park, and a bridge leads to the main shrine.
Around the main building, you can also see several small shrines. In the main temple, you can see the central statue of Lahiri Baba, as well as different Yogic positions and holy hand symbols written on the walls.
There are also statues of Lord Shiva, Krishna, Durga, Vishnu, Buddha, Mother Mary, and Jesus. These statues show how many different countries and religions come together.
There are rules about how to dress to get into the temple, and you can’t take pictures here. You can also use the Bhog that is given out at the temple.
10. Antpur Radha Govind Ji Temple
One of Hooghly’s old and beautiful places is the Antpur Radha Govind Ji Temple. The most well-known clay temple in Bengal is Sri Radha Govindaji Temple.
In 1786, the shrine was built by Shri Krishna Ram Mitra, the Diwan of Bardhaman Raj. This temple is 100 feet tall and has beautiful clay statues that show stories from all 18 Puranas.
In the central part of the temple, there is a black stone statue of Lord Krishna. Radha and Krishna are the most important gods in this temple, but the goddess Durga is also there.
In 1757, Nabakrishna Deb of Sovabazar Rajbari did a lot to revive loyalty to Durga. It has a Chandi Mandap and a Dol Mancha, both beautifully carved wood and clay structures.
There are temples for Gangadhara, Fuleswara, Rameswara, Jaleswara, and Baneswara, in addition to the main Radhagovindjiu temple.
11. Kamarpukur
Kamarpukur is a holy place in Hooghly because it is where the famous sage “Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa” was born. It is a place that would fill your heart with peace, joy, and happiness that you can’t even describe.
Every day, many people come to worship at the beautiful place because it has a country beauty. The Ramakrishna Math in Kamarpukur has gorgeous grounds and a spiritual atmosphere.
Sri Ramakrishna and his family lived in two straw huts, now part of the main shrine. As part of the Jairambati–Kamarpukur Trip, you can go here.
You can also see Laha Babu’s Pathshala, Rash Mancha, Haldar Pukur, and the main temple. The whole temple building is surrounded by paddy fields that are beautiful and green.
In Kamarpukur, you can take beautiful pictures of the area and enjoy the Mahaprasad Bhog.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hooghly offers a lot to explore and experience. From scenic river views to historical sites, there are plenty of unique places to see and discover.
Whether looking for a quiet day trip or an exciting adventure, you can find something to do in the area. So take some time to visit one of the many places in Hooghly – you won’t regret it!
Everyone needs an escape occasionally, and exploring this enchanting district can be just the thing.
Nayana is passionate about discovering the most magnificent places to visit in India! She also loves to uncover the most incredible sights and capture her experiences in her writing through TouristPanda.com.