Sixty Dome Mosque travel guide

At a glance

Built

15th century (about 1440–1459)

Built by

Khan Jahan Ali

Domes

77 (on the roof) + 4 corner towers

Distinction

UNESCO World Heritage — Mosque City of Bagerhat (1985)

History and details

In the 15th century Khan Jahan Ali, a general of Turkic descent and Sufi saint, cleared the jungle at the edge of the Sundarbans and built a prosperous city called 'Khalifatabad'. At its heart was this mosque, which was probably also used for administration and as a court.

Although called 'Sixty Dome', the roof actually has 77 domes, with 60 stone pillars inside. Many think the name came from 'saat gombuj' (seven rows of domes), which became 'shaat gombuj' (sixty domes) in popular speech. The huge brick building, thick walls, terracotta decoration and round towers at the four corners show the influence of Tughlaq architecture. It is the largest historic mosque in Bangladesh.

In 1985 UNESCO declared the 'Mosque City of Bagerhat', about 50 buildings of Khalifatabad, a World Heritage Site. Beside the mosque is a museum of Khalifatabad's artefacts, and in front is the huge Ghora Dighi pond.

Things to do

• See the rows of 60 pillars inside
• See finds from Khalifatabad in the museum next door
• Rest on the bank of Ghora Dighi
• Tour Bagerhat's other old mosques by van rickshaw

How to get to Sixty Dome Mosque

About 5 km from Bagerhat town; by auto/rickshaw.

Bagerhat is about 200 km from Dhaka; the journey takes 4–5 hours.

• 🚌 By bus: Bagerhat/Mongla buses via the Padma Bridge (Sohag, Dola, Meghna), fare ৳600–800.
• 🚗 By road: About 1 hour by bus from Khulna.

Where to stay

• Parjatan Motel Pashur in Mongla
• Basic hotels in Bagerhat town

What to eat

Shrimp, Bagerhat coconuts

Good to know

• Closed Sunday, half day Monday
• See finds from Khalifatabad in the museum next door
• The Singair, Bibi Begni and Chunakhola mosques are close by

More to see nearby

• Singair Mosque (0.5 km)
• Bibi Begni and Chunakhola mosques (1–2 km)
• Shrine of Khan Jahan Ali (2 km)
• Nine Dome Mosque (2 km)
• Ranabijoypur Mosque (2 km)

More places to visit in Bagerhat district

• Shrine of Khan Jahan Ali — Khan Jahan Ali's tomb and Khanjeli Dighi; the pond's crocodiles were famous.
• Karamjal — The easiest way into the Sundarbans; deer and crocodile breeding centre, wooden trail.
• Katka and Kachikhali — A beach deep in the Sundarbans, herds of deer and tiger pugmarks.
• Nine Dome Mosque — A nine-domed mosque from Khan Jahan Ali's time on the bank of Thakur Dighi.

Location on the map