Mahasthangarh, Bogura
Photo: Picture taken by P.K.Niyogi, people removed by GreenComputer · CC0

Bogura District · Rajshahi Division · মহাস্থানগড়

Mahasthangarh travel guide

Pundranagar from the 3rd century BC; ruins of the country's oldest city and a museum.

🗓️ Best time to visitOctober–March
⏱ How long it takes2–3 hours
💰 Estimated costSmall museum entry fee

At a glance

Ancient name
Pundranagar
Period
From the 3rd century BC to about the 15th century
Fortress
Walls of about 1,523 × 1,370 m
Museum hours
Closed Sunday, half day Monday

History and details

Mahasthangarh holds the ruins of Bangladesh's oldest city — Pundranagar, capital of the ancient Pundravardhana region. Ringed by high earthen ramparts on the bank of the Karatoya, the city was a provincial capital for about 1,500 years through the Maurya, Gupta, Pala and Sena periods.

In 1931 a limestone plaque inscribed in Brahmi script was found here, dated to the Maurya period (3rd century BC) — the oldest written evidence in Bengal. The Chinese traveller Xuanzang visited Pundranagar in the 7th century and described its Buddhist monasteries.

Inside and around the fortress are the ruins of Bairagir Bhita, Khodar Pathar Bhita, Mankalir Kunda, Jiyat Kunda and Parashuram's Palace. Beside the fortress is the shrine of the Sufi saint Shah Sultan Balkhi Mahisawar, who according to legend came riding on the back of a fish and defeated King Parashuram. The archaeological museum has statues, coins and terracotta found in excavations.

Things to do

  • Walk along the top of the ramparts
  • See the Mahasthan Archaeological Museum
  • Visit the shrine of Shah Sultan Balkhi
  • Buy Mahasthan's famous kotkoti

How to get to Mahasthangarh

About 13 km from Bogura town; by bus/CNG on the Rangpur road.

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

  • 🚌 By bus: Green Line, SR, Shah Fateh Ali, Hanif from Mohakhali/Gabtoli; non-AC ৳500–650, AC ৳1,000–1,300.
  • 🚆 By train: Lalmoni/Rangpur Express to Santahar or Bogura.

Where to stay

  • Momo Inn (luxury resort)
  • Naz Garden Hotel
  • Parjatan Motel Bogura

What to eat

Bogura yoghurt (Akboria, Rafat, Asia), Mahasthan's kotkoti

Good to know

  • The museum is closed on Sunday and half day on Monday
  • Bring back Mahasthan's kotkoti (a sweet)
  • Gokul Medh and Bhasu Vihara can be seen the same day

More to see nearby

  • Gokul Medh/Behula's Bashor Ghor (2 km)
  • Bhasu Vihara (6 km)
  • Bogura town (13 km)

More places to visit in Bogura district

Location on the map