Mosque and shrine, Bogura

Shah Sultan Balkhi Mazarশাহ সুলতান বলখীর মাজার

Time needed: Half an hour.
best months: Nov–Feb
Cost: Free.

The shrine of the saint Shah Sultan Balkhi Mahisawar on the Mahasthangarh citadel, a place of pilgrimage that draws crowds every day.

At a glance

Where: On the Mahasthangarh citadel

About

Tradition holds that the saint came here from Balkh and brought Islam to Pundranagara. His mazar and mosque stand on high ground at the citadel, and the lane to it is lined with stalls selling kotkoti and offerings.

It is busiest on Thursdays and Fridays. Dress modestly and leave shoes where asked.

Getting there: At Mahasthangarh, 30 minutes from Bogura town.

Things to do

Buy kotkoti from the stalls on the lane.

Good to know

Weekday mornings are calmer.

Getting there

Read the Bogura guide

Nearby

Archaeological siteZaheed Sarwer Khan · CC BY 4.0

Mahasthangarh

0 km, Bogura

The walled citadel of ancient Pundranagara on the Karatoya, the oldest city site found in Bangladesh, lived in from at least the third century BC to the medieval period.

Museum and galleryMasum-al-hasan · CC BY-SA 4.0

Mahasthan Archaeological Museum

0 km, Bogura

The site museum beside the citadel, opened in 1967, with terracotta, coins, sculpture and inscriptions from Mahasthangarh and other old sites of the north.

Archaeological siteShahnoor Habib Munmun · CC BY 3.0

Govinda Bhita

0 km, Bogura

A temple mound in a bend of the Karatoya just north of the Mahasthangarh walls, excavated in 1928–29.

Archaeological siteShahnoor Habib Munmun · CC BY 3.0

Gokul Medh (Behula's Bashor Ghor)

3 km, Bogura

A tall terraced brick mound south of Mahasthangarh that local lore calls Behula's bashor ghor, the bridal chamber of Behula and Lakhindar in the Manasa tale.