11 Top Tourist Places In Bogra District

11 Top Tourist Places In Bogra District


You should explore the top tourist places in Bogra District, Bangladesh, and experience the rich history and culture of the region. If you are a historical spot lover then you will love the place. So, discover ancient archaeological sites, and scenic natural beauty. Also, immerse yourself in the local traditions and customs. Find out the best attractions and things to do in Bogra District to make the most of your visit.

11 Bogra Tourist Places to Visit

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1.Mahasthangarh/মহাস্থানগড়

Historical place in Bogra - Mahasthangarh/মহাস্থানগড়

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There are many interesting places to visit in Bogra. Mahasthangarh is one of them. Mahasthangarh lies in the Shivganj Upazila of Bogra district. The structure of ancient Pundranagar dates back about 4000 years. King Maura and King Gupta used Mahasthangarh as their provincial capitals. 

Later, the Pal dynasty used Pundranagar or Mahasthangarh as the main capital. If you want to see the ruins of the ancient City of Pundra, you have to go to the western end of the Kartowa river flowing along with the city of Bogra.

Rangpur, Bogra, Dinajpur, Maldah, Rajshahi, i.e., the Barendra region, are the original places of the pundras. History suggests that in 693, the famous Chinese traveler Wan Chun came to Pundranagar and Mahasthangarh to visit Buddhist establishments. 

According to his description, at that time, Pundranagar, which was six miles in size, was established as a rich township, much like the structure of Babylon, Athens, Egypt. During the Muslim rule, Pundranagari gradually became Mahasthangarh.

In 1808, “Buchanan Hamilton” first discovered the ruins of Mahasthangarh, and later in 1931, MahasthangarhOpens in a new tab. was identified as the ancient Pundranagar. It is one of the most famous places in Bogra to see.

Places to Visit in Mahasthangarh

All Mahasthangarh has various historical sites and important structures. 

These include the remains of two temples at Vita in Vairagi, The Vita of Khodrapatha, Kalidah Sagar and Padmadevi Residence, Sheeladevi Ghat, Jiutkund Kup, remains of a 15-dome mosque on Mankali Island, Govind Vita, Totaram Pandit’s Step and Gokul Medh, known as Behula’s Bashor Ghor or Lakshinder’s Medh.

Apart from this, you can see the Iskandar step, khullana step, mahi sawar mazar sharif, bhima forest, jagir bhawan, orra, teghar, rozakpur, mathura, mahasthangarh museum, and parshuram palace.

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2.Gokul Medh/গোকুল মেধ

Gokul Medh/গোকুল মেধ

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Bogra tourist place has many things to offer. Gokul Medh is an archaeological artifact located in the Gokul village of Bogra Sadar. Located just 1.5 km south of Mahasthangarh, the site is also known to the public as the Residence (Lakhindar Behular Bashor Ghor) of Behula-Lakshmindar. 

Many have also termed it as Lakshmander’s Medh. The excavation carried out by NG Majumdar from 1934-36 revealed the foundation of a temple here. 

The 172 huts were filled with soil on different floors and reduced from bottom to top, and decorated in the main base level to form elevated huts to be used as the foundation of tall temples or piles.

Some terracotta plaques of the Gupta era, i.e., the 6-7th century, are found in this temple. Later a temple was built at Gokul Medh in the Sen era. A gold-leaf obtained from the temple is believed to have been a Shiva temple.

Behula’s residence or Gokul Medh is an extraordinary structure, a Vaidyamath built by Devpal from 809 to 847 AD. The main stupa has a common living room memorial in the western half. In the east is a bathing place that looks like a 24-cornered square. Gokul Medh is one of the popular historical place in bogra.

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3.Poradaha Mela/পোড়াদহ মেলা

Poradaha Mela/পোড়াদহ মেলা is a fun fair in Bogra held every year.

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A traditional folk fair is organized every year at Baradah on the banks of the Ichhamati river in Gabtoli Upazila of Bogra district. 

The fair has been organized continuously for nearly 400 years. The ancient fair is known as The Poradaha Mela

The distance from Bogra city to The Poradaha Mela premises is only 11 km. Although the exact information about how many years the Poradaha Mela begins is unknown, the 16th century is considered the fair’s rise. 

About 400 years ago, a monk suddenly appeared under the banyan tree at the fair site. Gradually, other monks began to arrive, and an ashram was built here. 

As a result, the place became a pilgrimage site to the Hindu community in the area. Since then, people from the Hindu community started organizing Sannyasin puja on Wednesday slated to come within the last three days of Magh Bengali month of the year. 

Devotees from different parts of the country started gathering in sannyasin puja. The day of the puja ceremony took the form of a rural fair in phases. 

Later, the monks left the place, but the local Hindus organized sannyasin pujas every year.

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The naming of the fair

Initially, the Poradaha Mela was called the Sannyasin Mela. Due to the fair being held at Poradaha, the name of the Poradaha place spread in the public mind. 

Once upon a time, the name Poradaha Mela became permanent. In addition to the name of The Poradaha Mela, the local people call the fair ‘Jamai Mela’ and ‘Fish Fair.’

During the event of the fair

The fair is organized every year on Wednesdays that come in the last three days of the month of Magh in Bengali year or the first Wednesday of the month of Falgun. 

However, Wednesday is the main day of the fair, but the Poradaha mela lasts for the third day before Wednesday and the next 2 days. 

The day after Wednesday, i.e., Thursday, is known as Boumela. It was the day when brides from the village and the daughters of the village who came home with their husbands came to the fair with their husbands. 

Even though it is a daughter-in-law, there is no restriction on unmarried people coming to the fair that day.

What’s at the Fair

Fish: Bahari is one of the main attractions of all fish burning fairs. All the giant fish come and gather at the temporary yard built on the occasion of the fair. Sometimes the weight of each fish exceeds the weight of two men.

Sweets: Along with fish, the Jaladah Fair has a variety of sweet flavors. Apart from Sandesh, Rasgulla, Jilapi, sweets weighing 1.5 to 2 kg are not excluded from the fair.

Furniture: Various design furniture made of wood, steel, and iron is available at a very affordable price at the Jaldah Mela.

Cosmetics and Gift Items: Various cosmetics, toys, gift shops are full of fair premises. Children and women flock to buy toys and cosmetics from these shops.

Food shops: Numerous temporary hotels, puffy shops, pudi-singer stops, pickles, and ice cream shops were set up across the fair premises.

Entertainment Arrangements: The place allotted for entertainment at the fair is always at the center of attraction. Nagardola, mini trains, horse carriages, magic, circuses, motorcycle games, yatras, and various cultural events were organized to entertain everyone.

In addition, essential items like various vegetables (raw market), meat, spices, and other household items are available at the Poradaha Mela to buy daily items.

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4.Bihar Dhap/ বিহার ধাপ

Ancient Bihar Dhap/ বিহার ধাপ in Bogra

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Bihar Step (Bihar Dhap) is an archaeological site located in Shivganj Upazila of Bogra district. The structure, which surrounds the Nagar river, is also known to the locals as Totaram Pandit’s Step or Totaram Pandit’s House. 

It is believed that this Bihar is a sign of the second construction era and the archaeological site collapsed between the eleventh and 12th centuries. 

The account of Chinese priest Xuen Sang mentions the high mound-shaped Bihar steps discovered from under the ground.

The Bihar step of 250 m length and 220 m width is about 2 meters above the ground. Excavations have led to discovering a Bihar of 57 meters in the north-south and 61 meters east-west. 

In the middle of the exposed Bihar are open courtyards with 37 beggar rooms around, two guards arch outside on the west side, and a statue-keeping altar on the east.

From 1979-1986, continuous excavations were carried out in the Bihar phase. Initially, the infrastructure of two Buddhist Bihars and a temple was partially recovered. 

Later in 2005, excavations discovered the ruins of another temple from the east and the remains of five construction-era architectural structures. 

After the damage to the temple of the first construction era, a new temple was built on the west side, connecting the old temple in the second construction era. 

The second temple built in the second construction era was rebuilt by connecting it to the ruins on the western side. 

More than 1,000 different types of archaeological artifacts are found from the Bihar stage

Among them are the silver coins of Sultan Sikander Shah, the meditative Buddhist statue in bronze, the glass beads, 60 terracotta plaques, the burnt clay seal, the incense, the pirich, the earthen pots, and the brick painted in the design.

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5.Bogra Tourist Spot: Parshuram Palace/ পরশুরামের প্রাসাদ

Parshuram Palace/ পরশুরামের প্রাসাদ

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Parshuram’s Palace (Parsuramer Prasad) is one of the artifacts of ancient civilization discovered on the outskirts of Mahasthangarh in Shivganj Upazila of Bogra district. 

The palace is located 200 meters north of Mahakali Kund. In the local language, the palace is known as the Palace of Hindu Nripati Pashuram, after Parshuram, the last Hindu king and sixth incarnation of Vishnu.

The Pal kings ruled the region mainly from 750 to 1124. In 1907, 1961, and 1995, separate archaeological excavations led to the existence of 3 different construction ages. 

In 1961, excavations revealed various artifacts from the Pal, Muslim and British periods. It is believed that Parashurama’s palace contains the ruins of the building built during the Pal dynasty period. 

In addition, coins of the East India Company, terracotta nakshi bricks, debris of various buildings of the Pal period, broken parts of Vishnu Pot, and pottery are also found from this place. 

And the signs of the Sultanate period include terracotta plaques, stone-made Vishnu patta parts, and curry.

Later, further excavations led to the discovery of an eighteenth-century abode. The abode made using bricks, lime, surki linings, chunkam is the main structure of Parashurama’s palace. 

Parshuram’s palace room, sopan class, boundary wall, entrance are divided into 4 parts. Next to the palace is a well called “The Jiyut Kund.” 

Commonly, Parshuram could bring dead soldiers to life with the water of this well during the war with Shah Sultan Balkhi Mahiswar.

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6.Mankali Kund/ মানকালীর কুন্ড

Stunning Mankali Kund/ মানকালীর কুন্ড in Bogra.

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In Shivganj Upazila of Bogra district, one of the symbols of ancient civilization is Mankali’s Kund. In the early sixties, the then Pakistan Archaeology Department recorded this artifact on the high rock of Mahasthangarh as an archaeological site.

When he entered the Mankali Kund mound on the eastern bank of Majha Pond in Mahasthangarh, the first thing to notice was a sign with the information of the mound. 

Next to it was a small water body. This water body is called a “cistern or well.” The water bodies and mounds are collectively named Mankali Kund. 

It is believed that king Mansingh and his brother Tansingh first built a temple at this place, and later the zamindars of Ghodghat built a mosque here. 

Again, seeing the Jain idols found in the same place, many archaeologists believe that the mound was once home to Jain religious leaders.

From 1965 to 1966, excavations were started here under the supervision of the Department of Archaeology. Among the artifacts discovered from The Kundpada of Mankali are the ruins of a mosque of 14.54 meters in size x 26.21 of the Sultanate period, the ruins of a temple built during the Pala era several small archaeological objects. 

Other artifacts include fragments of northern black shiny pottery, burnt clay plaques of the Sunga era, Jain idols, bronze Ganeshas and carved brick pieces. Among many visiting places in Bogra, Mankali Kund is one of the historical places in the Bogra district.

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7.Vasu Bihar/ ভাসু বিহার

Vasu Bihar/ ভাসু বিহার

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An ancient archaeological artifact, Vasu Bihar, is located in Bihar village, 6 km from Mahasthangarh in Shivganj Upazila of Bogra district. 

Residents of Bogra recognize this place west of the Nagar river as a step towards Narpati. Two rectangular Buddhist Bihars and Krushakriti temples of the Gupta era have been discovered from Vasu Bihar.

The first excavation work was carried out in Vasu Bihar from 1973 to 1974. Excavations revealed two medium-sized sangharams, a partial temple infrastructure, and about 800 valuable archaeological artifacts. 

These include small statues, bronze Buddhist statues, terracotta plaques, seals, precious stone pieces, designed bricks, plaques, earthen lamps, etc. 

Vasu Bihar is considered to be the relic of Buddhist Sangharam. The infrastructure of the large and small sangharam discovered from here is almost the same. It has 26 rooms, winding verandahs, and entrances. 

China’s famous priest Xuen Song referred to the site as “Po-Shi-po” or “Vishwa Bihar.” Vasu Bihar was once known as the important religious Vidyapeeth of Buddhists.

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8.Jogir Bhaban/ যোগীর ভবণ

Historical Jogir Bhaban/ যোগীর ভবণ.

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Some ancient religious structures have been organized on about 80 acres of land in the Paikar Union of Kahalu Upazila of Bogra district. 

The Jogir Bhaban has been built. Built around 884 AD, the entire area of the yogi’s Bhavan is walled and divided into two parts with a wall.

The Jogir Bhaban complex has an ashram, 4 temples, kanch wells, an idara, dharmatongi, and an Agni Kund house. Out of the four temples, Sarvamangala, Durga, Kalbhairavi, and Gorakhnath, the Sarvamangala temple is a little exceptionally designed with bricks and terracotta plaques. 

However, no specific purpose for constructing this temple is known. It is said that Lakhinder, the deceased husband of Bengali legend Behula, regained his life through the water of the Kanch well here.

9.Bhimer Jangal/ভীমের জাঙ্গাল

Bhimer Jangal/ভীমের জাঙ্গাল

Bhimer Jangal is a beautiful tourist spot in the Bogra district. A road and dam built in the Barendra region of north Bengal in the early ancient or medieval period are the Bhimer Jangal.

The averages of Bhimer Jangal, surrounded by an area of about 70 km in the northern part of the country and three sides of Mahasthangarh, have numerous blackened historical structures of the glorious civilization of The East of India. 

Bhimer Jangal is believed to have been used as a preventive road in the flood-hit region in ancient times.

There are many disagreements about the spread of Bhimer Jangal. But most of Bhimer Jangal has fallen in the Bogra region.

Bhimer jangal extends from Ghodghat to Domra in Nilphamari district in the north to Kamrup in Assam. 

Several debris from the Bhimer jungle started from the border of Sirajganj. It merged with the Damukdah bill of Govindganj police station in Gaibandha district, about 50 km north of Bogra town near the west bank of the Kartowa river from Sherpur in the northwest. 

Later, however, the debris extended to Virat Nagar and Ghoda Ghat in Dinajpur district.

The archaeologically important Bhimwe Jangal has 36 “maunds” or averages. Of which Govindvita and Vasu Bihar have been preserved. 

Almost every average name of The Jangal is accompanied by historical folklore. According to locals, a king named Bhim built the Bhima’s jangal. 

But there are many differences in the identity of the King of Bhima. According to many, he was the king of the 12th century. According to many, he is the heir to the second Pandava Vim or Bhagirath dynasty. 

Although no specific reason for the construction of the Bhim forest is known, it is estimated that the forest was built in the same way as the circular Fort in Italy to prevent external enemy attacks.

10.Rani Bhavani’s father’s house/রাণী ভবানীর বাপের বাড়ী

Rani Bhavani's father's house/রাণী ভবানীর বাপের বাড়ী

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Rani Bhavani was born in Chhatiangram in Santahar in Bogra district. Rani Bhavani’s father’s house is on the verge of destruction due to a lack of renovation and conservation. 

In the 17th century, Ataram Chowdhury, the zamindar of Chhatiangram, was childless. Ataram Chowdhury offered prayers to God on the banks of a secluded pond near his house in the hope of having a child. 

Later, when his wife was born with a baby girl in her womb, she was named Bhavani. The place where the zamindar attained perfection by practicing became known as Siddheswari.

Bhavani’s marriage proposal to Prince Ramkant of Natore came at the age of 10. Bhavani agreed to the marriage on 3 conditions. 

Bhavani’s condition was that she would stay at her father’s house for another year after marriage. And in that one year, one pond has to be dug every day in Chhatiangram. 

From Chhatiangram to Natore, a new road with red salu cloth has to be constructed. And the people of the area have to be self-sufficient by giving land. The sign of observance of Bhavani’s conditions is still there in Chhatiangram.

After King Ramkant, Rani Bhavani took over Natore’s estate in 1748 and managed till 1802. Rani Bhavani was also invited to a conspiracy meeting against Nawab Siraj ud-Daula. But the Queen opposed the English.

11.Kherua Mosque/খেরুয়া মসজিদ

Kherua Mosque/খেরুয়া মসজিদ is a must-see tourist attraction in Bogra.

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One of the archaeological artifacts of Bangladesh, The Kherua Mosque, is located in the Khandkar Tola area of Sherpur Upazila of Bogra district. 

In 1582, Mirza Murad Khan, son of Jawahar Ali Kakshal, built the Kakshal Kherua Mosque. However, no exact history of the naming of the mosque is known.

Built-in a 430-year-old sultanate and Mughal architecture, the Kherua Mosque survives because of its wide walls and minarets. Built on a 1.81-meter-wide red brick wall made using lime-surki, three semi-spherical domes are on the roof. 

The length of the mosque is 17.27 meters, and the width is 7.42 meters from the outside. There are three arched doors on the eastern wall of the mosque and one on the north-south wall. And the western wall has three carved mihrabs.

There are excellent ornaments of arch-shaped panels lined under curved cornish like the bow of the Kherua Mosque. Aesthetic diversity has been created through brick layouts and steep panels. 

The diverse textures of minarets, domes, and bricks and the design of flowers and vines have given special uniqueness to the entire mosque. 

In front of the Kherua Mosque is a rectangular field, and around the mosque are rows of palms, coconuts, mangoes, and Kadam trees. The total land area of Kherua Masjid is about 59 percent.

The traditional mosque is still regularly offered for prayers, and the Kherua Mosque is currently under the purview of the Archaeology Department.

Conclusion

Bogra is home to several top tourist destinations that offer a glimpse into the country’s rich history and culture. The Mahasthangarh, Paharpur Buddhist Monastery, and the Nawab Palace are some of the must-visit places in the district. From ancient archaeological sites to beautiful natural landscapes, there is something for every type of traveler. I hope you find the article “Top Tourist Places In Bogra District” helpful.

Al Amin Sagor

Hi, I'm Al Amin Sagor. Join me as I share travel tips, personal insights, and amazing experiences that have shaped my adventures. Let's explore together and make lasting memories.

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