Tourist Spots in Rajshahi

Rajshahi Division

Rajshahi division is in the northern part of Bangladesh has an area of 34513 sq. km and a population of 29.99 million. There are 16 districts and 57 municipalities under Rajshahi. It is famous for archeological and historical sites.


Rajshahi City:Rajshahi town is situated besides the river Padma. In monsoon the great Padma is in full spate with its tides and waves whereas in winter it dwindles and you will feel the desert by the side of river. Rajshahi Division is famous for archeological and historical places like Mohastnangor, Paharpur Buddhist Monastery, Kantajee’s Temple, Ramshagar Dighi, Choto Sona Masjid, and Shopnopuri etc. You can visit Rajshahi University. It’s a very well planed University and you can visit The Shahid Smriti Sangraha Shala in the University, you can see the documents and photography’s from the language movement of 1952 to the liberation was 1972. You can also visit Borendra Research Museum. There you will find the ancient elements of Paharpur, Mohasthangar and Mohenjodaro.

Main Tourist Spots in Rajshahi Division:

Ramshagor Dighi
The beautiful Ramshagor Dighi (Lake) was dug in 17th Century by Maharaja Ram Nath to solve the water problem. This is now one of the historical places as well as a tourist spot also.


Shopnopuri Shopnopuri
Shopnopuri is one of the most beautiful artificial tourist spot in North Bengal. You can go there either from Hili or from Dinajpur. There you can enjoy your full day watching this artificial beauty.

You can spend night also In Shoponopuri rest house but for that you will have to book in advance. It is an idle Picnic spot also where lots of picnic parties come every year.



Puthia 

Puthia has the largest number of historically important Hindu structures in Bangladesh. The most amazing of the village's monuments is the Govinda Temple, which was erected between 1823 and 1895 by one of the maharanis of the Puthia estate. It's a large square structure crowned by a set of miniature ornamental towers. It's covered by incredibly intricate designs in terracotta depicting scenes from Hindu epics, which give it the appearance of having been draped by a huge red oriental carpet.




Mohasthangar Mahasthangarh
Mohasthangarh is one of the main attractions in north Bengal. It was the capital of Kingdom of the Mourjo, the Gupta and the Sen Dynasty.
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This is the ancient archeological and historical which was, established in 2500 BC. It is the oldest archaeological site of Bangladesh is on the western bank of river Karatoa 18 km. north of Bogra town beside Bogra-Rangpur Road. The spectacular site is an imposing landmark in the area having a fortified, oblong enclosure measuring 5000 ft. by 4500 ft. with an average height of 15 ft. from the surrounding paddy fields. Beyond the fortified area, other ancient ruins fan out within a semicircle of about five miles radius. Several isolated mounds, the local names of which are Govinda Bhita Temple, Khodai Pathar Mound, Mankalir Kunda, Parasuramer Bedi, Jiyat Kunda etc. surround the fortified city.

 Mahasthangarh is one of the most significant tourist spots in Bangladesh. It originally the ruins of an ancient city built on the bank of the river Karatoa. In about 300BC. The center of this spot is the castle. Hindu dynasties Gupta, Pal, Sen ruled here and Mahasthangarh was their capital. The last king of Mahasthangarh was Parshuram. He was cruel, oppressive and anti Muslim. He introduced a system of slaughtering human beings in his temple as a religious ritual. He even killed his own mother with an axe. Saint Shah Sultan Mahmud Balkhee (r) who was the king of Balakh gave up his royalty, left his palace and kingdom, traveled many parts of the world and finally came to Mahasthangarh. Later he confronted Parshuram, defeated and killed him in a battle.

This ancient city was surrounded by 45 feet high and 15 feet wide walls. Beyond the walls it was encompassed by deep trench on three sides and the river Karatoa on one side. You will see lots of huge earth ponds in and around this place. You will also see many archeological sites in this area. Come down to the ruins of the main castle then see the horrifying deep dark well. You can visit the museum to see the archeological collections from this place. After seeing all these you can have some famous Bogra Yogurt. It is delicious and nutritious. Mahasthangarg is 233km from Dhaka. You can take train or bus; either way you can get there.

Kantajees Temple [Dinajpur]
Kantajee's Temple is in Dinajpur district. It is the most ornate among the late medieval temples of Bangladesh is the Kantajee's temple near Dinajpur town, which was established in the year 1722 by Ram Nath, son of Maharaja Pran Nath .


Kantajee's Temple, Dinajpur The temple, a 51' square three storied edifice, rests on a slightly curved raised plinth of sandstone blocks, believed to have been quarried from the ruins of the ancient city of Bangarh near Gangharampur in West Bengal. It was originally a navaratna temple, crowned with four richly ornamental corner towers on two stores and a central one over the third stored.

Unfortunately these ornate towers collapsed during an earthquake at the end of the 19th century. ln spite of this, the monument rightly claims to bathe finest extant example of its type in brick and terracotta, built by Bengali artisans. The central cells is surrounded on all sides by a covered verandah, each pierced by three entrances, which are separated by equally ornate dwarf brick pillars, Corresponding to the three delicately cusped entrances of the balcony, the sanctum has also three richly decorated arched openings on each face.



Paharpur Buddhist Monastery
Paharpur Buddhist Monastery is another tourist attraction of North Bengal. Paharpur is a small village 5 km. west of Jamalganj in the greater Rajshahi district. You can go to Paharpur from Jaipur district. Its only 10 km from Jaipur.

King Dharma Pal established Paharpur Buddhist Monastery in 7th century, which is the most important and the largest known monastery south of the Himalayas, has been excavated. The main Mandir is in the center of this Monastery. This 7th century archaeological find covers approximately an area of 27 acres of land.
Paharpur Buddisht Temple

The entire establishment, occupying a quadrangular court, measuring more than 900 ft. externally on each side, has high enclosure- walls about 16 ft. in thickness and from 12 ft. to 15 ft. height. With elaborate gateway complex on the north, there are 45 cells on the north and 44 in each of the other three sides with a total number of 177 rooms. The architecture of the pyramidal cruciform temple is profoundly influenced by those of South-East Asia, especially Myanmar and Java.

A small site-Museum built in 1956-57 houses the representative collection of objects recovered from the area, where you can see the statues of Buddha and Vishnu. The excavated findings have also been preserved at the Varendra Research Museum at Rajshahi. The antiquities of the museum include terracotta plaques, images of different gods and goddesses, potteries, coins, inscriptions, ornamental bricks and other minor clay objects.



Mohasthangarh Museum
A visit to Mahasthangarh site museum will open up for you wide variety of antiquities, ranging from terracotta objects to gold ornaments and coins recovered from the site. Now it is one of the major tourist spots maintained by Bangladesh archeological Department.
You can go to Mohasthanagar from Bogra town, 10 km. away. Don't forget to visit Mohasthangar museum while visiting Mohasthangar. Mohasthan Buddhist Stambho is another attraction for the tourists; it is locally called as Behula's Basar.




Choto Sona Mosque

One of the most graceful monument of the Sultanate period is the Chhota Sona Masjid or Small Golden Mosque at Gaur in Rajshahi Built by one Wali Muhammad during

the reign of Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah (1493-1519). Originally it was roofed over with 15 gold-gilded domes including the 3 Chauchala domes in the middle row, from which it derives its curious name.

Varendra museum

Varendra museum Varendra museum is located on the bank of the river Padma a major river in the geographic landscape of Bangladesh. The combination of a zoo, museum, garden and the solitary natural beauty will definitely please your mind. There is an artificial lake and hill to add to your leisure time. There are many archeological findings in varendra museum from the remote past. There are many temples, mosques and shrines at this place.

The Shrine of Shah Makhdum

The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Makhdum is located close to the museum. He was the ruler of Yemen. He came here and removed many superstitions from the society, taught, spread Islam and establish an enormous social welfare system for he benefits of the people. Even today people in this area talked about the miracles he did. He lived about hundred years. Lalkhuthi, Barakuthi is also located here.

Bangabandhu (Jamuna) Bridge

 Bangabandhu (Jamuna) Bridge This is one of the longest bridge of the world, about 5km long over the river Jamuna on the way to Rajshahi from Dhaka. It connects two divisions Dhaka and Rajshahi.

Hardinge Bridge

 Hardinge Bridge It used to be the longest railway bridge in this country. This bridge is over Padma the mighty river. It is not far from Pabna district town. Visit the place and watch over the barren basin of he river, witness of the once symbol of dynamism. The river Padma left a cultural mark in Bangladeshi society; it is changed now. Probably the society will too. Who knows?

Dinajpur Rajbari

 Dinajpur Rajbari It is the palace of many Hindu dynasties. It was built in 15th century. There are many huge earth ponds with high banks dug several hundred years ago. There are facilities for fishing, rowing and picnicking. It is 414km from Dhaka. You can take train or bus to get there. It is 15km from Dinajpur district town.

Shrines of Dinajpur

 Shrines of Dinajpur Knowing about the oppression of Hindu Kings many Muslim Darvish came here with the massage of Islam-peace and justice. Syed Nasiruddin Shah Aowlia, Saint Badruddin, Chihil Gazi are the most prominent ones. Syed Nasiruddin Shah Aowlia had a war against two brothers king Bhim Raj and Prithi Raj and defeated them both. Syed Nasiruddin Shah Aowlia's grave is also here. During the rule of Sultan Hussein Shah Mahesh was the king of Dinajpur. King Mahesh had a war against saint Badruddin. The Mahesh took the defeat and fled the country. Saint Badrudding continued preaching Islam in Dinajpur. The graves of Badruddin and his followers are there also. Besides, you will see a 54 feet long grave. It is the grave of 40 Muslim spiritual leaders including Chihil Gazi who died in a war against a Hindu king who reigned with oppression. They all ware buried in the same grave in a row. There are many other shrines of Muslim saints who came, preached Islam and died here

Natore Maharaja's Palace :

          Nator Maharaja's Palace is a historical and tourist place.It is very old seat of Maharajas.Now this beautiful palace serving as the Uttara Ganabhaban ( President's official residence of the northern region ).It is about 40 km. from Rajshahi city.Now it is modernized building.