Shat-Gambuj Mosque, Bagerhat

In mid-15th century, a Muslim colony was founded in the inhospitable mangrove forest of the Sundarbans near the seacoast in the Bagerhat district by an obscure saint-general, named Ulugh Khan Jahan. He was the earliest torchbearer of Islam in the South who laid the nucleus of an affluent city during the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah (1442-59), the city was known as 'Khalifatabad' (present Bagerhat). Khan Jahan built numberous mosques, tanks, roads and other public buildings, the spectacular ruins of which are focused around the most imposing and largest multidomed mosques in Bangladesh, known as the Shait-Gambuj Masjid (160'x108'). The serene and imposing monument, stands on the eastern bank of a vast sweet-water tank, clustered around by the heavy foliage of a low-lying countryside. The mosque roofed over with 77 squat domes, including 7 chauchala or four-sided pitched Bengali domes in the middle row. The vast prayer hall, although provided with 11 arched doorways on east and 7 each on north and south for ventilation and light, presents a dark and sombre appearance inside. It is divided into 7 longitudinal aisles and 11 deep rows by a forest of slender stone columns, from which spring rows of endless arches, supporting the domes. Six feet thick, slightly tapering walls and hollow and round, almost detached corner towers, resembling the bastions of fortress, each capped by small rounded cupolas, recall the Tughlaq architecture of Delhi.

The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal

The great Muslim Saint, Hazrat Shah Jalal (R.A.) is said to have brought the message of Islam to the region in the early 14th ecntury. His shrine is located at Dargah Mahalla in the heart of Sylhet town. At about 6 km away lies the shrine of another great saint Hazrat Shah Paran (R.A.), who is said to be a nephew of Hazrat Shah Jalal (R.A.).

Mosque

Dhaka has several hundred historic mosques. Prominent are the Seven Domed Mosque (17th century), Baitul Mukarram - National Mosque, Star Mosque (18th century), Chawkbazar Mosque and Huseni Dalan Mosque.

This holy place in Chittagong attracts a large number of visitors and pilgrims. At its base there is a large pond with several hundred huge tortoises and fishes floating on the water.

Kantaji Temple

The most ornate among the late medieval Hindu temples of Bangladesh Kantaji temple is situated near Dinajpur town. It was built by Maharaja Pran Nath in 1752. Every inch of the temple surface is beautifully embellished with exquisite terracotta plaques, representing flora and fauna, geometric motifs, mythological scenes and an astonishing array of contemporary social scenes and favourite pasttime. The Maharaja's palace with relics of the past and the local museum are well worth a visit.

There is a Parjatan motel in Dinajpur, offers good accommodation and food and warm hospitality. Ph: 880-531-64718.

Churches

Armenian church (1781 A.D.), St. Mary's Cathedral at Ramna, Church of Bangladesh or former Holy Rosary Church (1677 A.D.) at Tejgaon.