Naogaon District
Naogaon District is located in north-eastern Bangladesh, within the Rajshahi Division. The District is perhaps most well-known for being home to the world heritage listed Paharpur Vihar.
Understand
Naogaon is an important farming region, with extremely fertile soil and one of the highest cultivation rates of rice than any other district. 90% of the population is Muslim and majority live a simple, farming lifestyle.
As historical data and establishment in the town, the district was most famous for its "Marijuana". Naogaon district had a very big "Marijuana" Warehouse since British Rule in the Subcontinent.
Get in
Three major highways lead into the Naogaon District, from Bogra, Natore and Rajshahi.
By bus
It takes about 5 and half hours by road to reach Naogaon from the capital, Dhaka. A number of bus services are available from Dhaka via Bogra, some with air-conditioning. Bus services to other major districts are also available from the Gabtali & Mohakhali bus terminal.
Some bus services for Dhaka to Naogaon are:
- Shayamoli Paribahan - TK 350-450
- Hanif Enterprise - TK 350-450
- Ekota Paribahan - TK 350-450
- S R Travels - TK 350-450. Air conditioned: TK 650 (varies)
There are plenty more services almost similar, but air conditioned services give a little deluxe flavour.
By train
There are a number of luxurious intercity services between Dhaka and Naogaon each day. Railway station in Naogoan is "Santahar Junction", which is situated at the end of Bogra. However it costs just TK 15-20 to reach Naogaon by rickshaw or CNG-powered auto rickshaw.
From Dhaka to Santahar, Naogaon Intercity trains from BimanBandar: Except "Nilsagar" all the train can be embarked on from "Kamlapur Junction Station, Dhaka" as well. Just add around 35-40 mins prior to the time given for Bimanbandor (Bengali of Airport) time.
- Train No Name Off Day From Departure To Arrival
- 772 Rangpur Express Monday BimanBandar 5:58:00 AM Dhaka 6:35:00 AM
- 771 Rangpur Express Sunday BimanBandar 9:33:00 AM Banga Bondhu setu (East) 11:32:00 AM
- 705 Ekota Express Tuesday BimanBandar 10:22:00 AM Dinajpur 7:10:00 PM
- 706 Ekota Express Monday BimanBandar 6:43:00 AM Dhaka 7:40:00 AM
- 751 Lalmani Express Friday BimanBandar 10:42:00 PM Lalmonirhat 8:20:00 AM
- 752 Lalmani Express Friday BimanBandar 8:28:00 PM Dhaka 9:05:00 PM
- 757 Drutajan Express Wednesday BimanBandar 8:12:00 PM Dinajpur 5:00:00 AM
- 758 Drutajan Express Wednesday BimanBandar 5:10:00 PM Dhaka 5:55:00 PM
- 765 Nilsagar Monday BimanBandar 8:36:00 AM Nilphamari 5:30:00 PM
- 766 Nilsagar Sunday BimanBandar 7:35:00 AM Dhaka Cantt 7:45:00 AM
- Indented line
Note: All the train above touches "Santahar", destination above are end destination of the train.
- Train No Name Off Day From Departure To Arrival
- 772 Rangpur Express Sunday Santahar 11:55:00 PM Dhaka 06.35 AM
- 706 Ekota Express Monday Santahar 12:45:00 AM Dhaka 7:40:00 AM
- 748 Simanta Express No Santahar 9:45:00 PM Khulna 4:30:00 AM
- 752 Lalmoni Express Friday Santahar 2:30:00 PM Dhaka 9:05:00 PM
- 758 Drutajan Express Wednesday Santahar 11:15:00 AM Dhaka 5:55:00 PM
- 766 Nilshagar Sunday Santahar 1:50:00 AM Dhaka Cantt 7:45:00 AM
By car
The journey from Dhaka is around 210 km, taking approximately 5 hours, depending on traffic. One must cross the famous Jamuna Bridge to reach the city.
The ruins at Paharpur are situated just off the Naogaon-Jaipurhat Road. There are regular buses from Jaipurhat between 7am and 4pm to Paharpur for Tk 10. The journey is 9 km, taking about 25 minutes.
Another option is to catch a train to Jamalganj Railway Station, located only 4.5 km down the road (about 10 minutes). A rickshaw can be waved down for the short trip from the station to the Paharpur ruins.
Get around
Buses can be used to get between major towns, or else rickshaws for small distances. There are two major Bus Stand/ Stop in Naogaon District. The First but small one is "Dhaka Bus Stand" , Where usually you will get Buses to go to Dhaka, Bogra, Sylhet & Chittagong mainly. The other one is "Baludangga Bus Stand" Situated almost at the end of the Naogaon Municipalty. At "Baludangga" Bus Stand you get buses to travel to Paharpur, and other Sub-division of Naogaon District, such Sapahar, Nazipur, badalgachi etc.
The other most convenient options is the "Bangladesh Railway", from "Santahar" Railway Station. You can find numerous trains from "Santahar" to various district in Northern & Southern Bangladesh. Using First class ticket is a very convenient way for foreign Tourist, to be safe and pleasant journey, and price is also very reasonable in fact Bangladesh Railway is cheap.
See
- Balihar Royal Palace, Sadar.
- Dubalhati Rajbari, Village of Dubalhati (about 6km west of Naogaon City). An ancient mansion built sometime during the Pala Dynasty (8th-11th centuries). It is a three-building that stands on tall, wide columns at the front. Although it has fallen into disrepair, the mansion is still occasionally used for events and seminars.
- Dudulhati Royal Palace, Sadar.
- Kusumba Mosque, Rajshahi-Naogaon Hwy, Kusumba. Located on the bank of the Atrai River, this 16th century mosque was built by an Afghan ruler of Bengal. The building itself is circumvented by an elaborate wall and entrance gate, with sentry boxes for guards. It is in the style of most traditional Bengali mosques, with three domes on a square building made of stone and bricks. Elaborate carvings adorn many of it walls.
- Village of Patisar (12km south-east of Atrai Railway Station). Patisar is a small village that was the home of famous poet, Rabindranath Tagore, the writer of the Indian and Bangladeshi national anthems. A ruined zamindari mansion is still located in the town. During the birth and death anniversaries of Tagore, festivals and events are held in the village to celebrate the occasion.
Paharpur
Probably the most renowned monument in the region is the ruins of a major Buddhist vihara: Somapura Mahavihara. Also known as Paharpur Vihar, it is located in the tiny town of Paharpur, 5km west of Jamalganj. The shrine is estimated to have been built sometime during the 7th or 8th century. It formed part of a network of five major monasteries across the Indian subcontinent, and scholars would regularly travel between the sites as part of their lifelong learning. The monastery was destroyed by fire during a conquest, but rebuilt about a century later. When the area came under Muslim occupation in the 13th century, Paharpur went into decline until it was finally abandoned in the 13th century when the Buddhist population fled the region. It's ruins today are not the result of any conquest, but of centuries without maintenance or use.
The architecture is not particularly Indian, but influenced by similar sites in Myanmar and Java. To the north is an elaborate gateway complex, with other sites surrounding the temple. The temple is raised upon a pyramid structure, which is all that really remains of the original building. On the walls, various pictures and script can be observed.
A site museum is located right near the structure. It houses a collection of interesting objects collected from excavations in the area. Some valuable artefacts are housed at the Varendra Museum in Rajshahi, while others are on what seems like a permanent world tour. Artefacts on display include terracotta plaques, images of various gods and goddesses, Buddha heads, pottery, coins, ornamental bricks and other clay items. Admission to the museum is Tk 50. Opening hours from April to September are: Mon 2:30-6pm, Tue-Thu & Sat 10am-1pm & 1:30-6pm, Fri 10am-12:30pm & 2:30-6pm. From October to March: Mon 1:30-5pm, Tue-Thu & Sat 9am-1pm & 1:30-5pm, Fri 9am-12:30pm & 2-5pm.
Do
Eat
There are not so much famous restaurant in Naogaon. Good Hotels are in "Churi patti, Islampur " Area, middle of the naogaon Bazaar. But they are mostly famous for their Sweets and Yogurt. Most of the Hotel are good with Bangladeshi foods, and a good place for snacks in "Bridg er More", adjacent to Naogaon Bridge.
Sleep
- Archaeological Rest House, Paharpur, ☏ 0571 89119. Located in the white building right near the ruins, the rooms are clean and spacey. The buildings are located within the boundary of the ruins, allowing visitors to go out for a stroll on their own at night. Ask at the museum if no one is working in the rest house. Tk 200 per person.
Go next
- Bogra District - Borders the district in the east, just beside Naogaon City.
- India - The West Bengal region borders the district in the north and the west, although there are no significant land border crossings.
- Jaipurhat District - Located to the north-east, only a few kilometres from the Paharpur site.
- Natore District - Borders in the south-east.
- Nawabganj District - Borders the district to the south-west.
- Rajshahi - The division capital within Rajshahi District, which makes a good base to explore the surrounding districts and regions.