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NORTHWESTERN BANGLADESH
Northwest Bangladesh experienced the rise
and fall of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam through changing
eras. Mahasthan is an old fortress city dating back
to the 3rd Century BC, situated on the western bank
of the Karatoa river. Excavations revealed its ruins
spread out within a semi circle of about 8km radius.
Several isolated mounds, locally named as Govinda Bhita
Temple, Khodai Pathar Mound, Mankalir Kunda, Parasuramer
Bedi, Jiyat Kunda, etc., surround the fortified city.
Besides, the shrine of Shah Sultan Bulkhi Mahisawar,Gokul
Medh, Vasu Bihar, etc., in the neighbourhood are also
noteworthy. It is said that the Buddha himself visited
this area for preaching.
The ancient Buddhist temple in Paharpur ( 8th-12th AD)
is the single largest vihara in the south of the Himalayas.
This grand and impressive Buddhist monastery would remind
that Bengal was a prosperous Buddhist centre. The architectural
design of Paharpur later had influences on Pagan and
Angkor wat and has been declared a world heritage site.
Kanthanagar temple, the most ornate among the mediaeval
temples of Bangladesh, is situated in Birgang, near
Dinajpur. Built by Maharaja Pran Nath in 1752AD, every
inch of the temple surface is beautifully embellished
with exquisite terracotta plaques, representing flora
and fauna, geometric motif, mythological scenes, and
an astonishing array of contemporary social scenes and
favorite pastimes.
This region offers a variety of historical and archaeological
monuments, including numerous Mosques, Hindu temples,
Zamindar's palaces and British-era buildings. Gaud was
a center of great activities during the Sultanate and
the Mughal period. Great historical site Gaud can boast
of its remarkable mosques; Chhota Sona Masjid, Khania
Dighi Mosque, Darasbari Mosque, Dhanichak Mosque, Tahkhana,
etc .
VARENDRA
Ancient Monastery, Mosques
, & Temples
Among the remarkable historical sites in Rajshahi
district it is worth visiting Kusumbha Mosque (1558),
and Bagha Mosque (1523) built during the Sultanate period,
the famous Temple City Putia, where you can find the
magnificent Govinda Temples (1823), and the largest
Shiva Temple in Bangladesh. Varendra Museum in Rajshahi
is also worth visiting. The Padma (Ganges) passes through
Rajshahi towards the south, where its water and that
of the Jamuna (Brahmaputra) rivers mingle.
Rajshahi is also known as a centre of Silk industry
in Bangladesh and there are outlets both in the Government
and Private sector selling various Silk products. Chapai
Nawabganj in Rajshahi is famous for high quality Mangoes.
Among the best mangoes are the Langra, Him Sagar, Lakhan
Vog, Ashina, Surma Fazli,etc. , which are popular varieties
found abundantly during the mango season. The season
for this fruit is the months of June to August.
The Jamuna Bridge is the most convenient link between
Rajshahi and the rest of the country.
Tour-A
Paharpur (2days/1night)
Monastery, Temples &
the Ganges
Day01: Take the flight to
Raishahi around noon. Upon arrival, drive to Paharpur
(125km/3hrs) with packed lunch to visit the Paharpur
Buddhist Monastery (8th-12th century AD), the
largest single vihara, south of the Himalayas.
You will pass some time here visiting the sites.
Afternoon drive back to the Rajshahi Parjatan
Motel to check-in for dinner and overnight.
Day 02: Early morning, enjoy the sunrise
from the bank of the river Padma (Ganges). After
breakfast, drive to temple city Putia, to visit
the Hindu Temples, the Govinda temple, and the
Shiva temple and then look round the Varendra
Museum (if open) before driving back to the motel
for lunch. After lunch , drive to the airport
to fly back to Dhaka by an afternoon flight. Upon
arrival at Dhaka in the afternoon, we shall transfer
you to your house/hotel.
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Tour-B
Kantajee & Paharpur
(3days/2nights)
Monastery, Terracotta temple & the Ganges
Day01: Take the flight to
Rajshahi around noon. Upon arrival, drive to the
Parjatan Motel for checking-in. After lunch drive
about an hour to the temple city-Putia to visit
the Hindu Temples; the Govinda temple and the
Shiva temple. Also visit the Varendra Research
Museum (if open) After enjoying the Sunset from
the bank of the river Padma (Ganges), drive back
to the motel in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day02: Early morning, enjoy the sunrise
from the bank of the river Ganges. After breakfast
drive to Paharpur (125km / 3hrs) with packed lunch
to visit the Paharpur Buddhist monastery (8th
12th AD), the largest single vihara south of the
Himalayas. You can pass some time here in a relaxed
atmosphere. In the afternoon drive to Dinajpur
(125km/3hrs) to check-in to Parjatan motel for
dinner and overnight.
Day03: After an early breakfast, visit
the Dinajpur Rajbari and the Kantajee's temple
(1752AD), the most ornate among the mediaeval
temples of Bangladesh. Then back to the motel
for lunch. After lunch drive to the Saidpur airport
to fly back to Dhaka. Upon arrival at Dhaka airport,
we shall transfer you to your hotel/house.
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Tour-C
Varendra (2days/1night)
Mango garden, Temples & the Ganges
Day 01:Take the flight to
Rajshahi around noon. Upon arrival drive to Parjatan
Motel for checking in. After lunch, drive to the
Nawabganj Mango Garden, where you will pass the
whole afternoon relaxing and enjoying the surrounding,
plucking the mangoes from trees and eating them.
You can also buy some mangoes from the garden
to bring with you. In the evening, drive back
to the Parjatan Motel in Rajshahi for dinner and
overnight.
Day 02: Early morning, enjoy the sunrise
from the bank of the river Padma (Ganges). After
breakfast, drive to temple city Putia, to visit
the Hindu Temples, the Govinda temple, and the
Shiva temple before driving back to the motel
for lunch. After lunch ,drive to the airport to
fly back to Dhaka by an afternoon flight. Upon
arrival at Dhaka airport in the afternoon, we
shall transfer you to your house/hotel.
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