Known for
- 1
The haor.
In the east of the district the land becomes one great freshwater wetland across Nikli, Mithamoin, Itna and Austagram. In the rains it is an inland sea dotted with village islands, crossed by boat; in the dry months it turns to rice fields, and the all-weather road through Itna, Mithamoin and Austagram runs across it.
- 2
Isa Khan's country.
The leader of the Baro Bhuiyans held forts at Egarasindur and Jangalbari, and his descendants stayed on here. Kishoreganj town also has the Pagla mosque on the Narsunda, famous for its donation boxes, and Sholakia, the ground that hosts the largest Eid congregation in the country.
- 3
Chandrabati.
The Shiva temple of Chandrabati, remembered as the first woman poet of Bengali, stands on the Phuleshwari a short ride north of town.
Best season
GoodFairJul–Feb
- Eid prayers at Sholakia Morning of both Eids
July to October is haor season: the water is high and a boat from Nikli shows the wetland at its widest. November to February is dry and cool, best for the forts, temples and the haor road, when the fields are green or golden.
The two Eids bring huge crowds to Sholakia; plan around them or go for them.
Getting there
Bus
Dhaka
3–4 h
Frequent buses to Kishoreganj town
Train
Dhaka
Intercity trains to Kishoreganj station
Getting around
Kishoreganj town
CNG to Nikli, then boats on the haor
Kishoreganj is about 3 to 4 hours from Dhaka by bus, or by intercity train to Kishoreganj station. Nikli is about an hour by road from town; for the haor road, go to Chamraghat or Karimganj side and on towards Itna, Mithamoin and Austagram.
Local food
Haor fishMust try
Fresh in the monsoon
Duck curry
Ducks raised on the haor
Haor fish above all, fresh from the water in the monsoon and dried in winter, and duck raised on the wetland.
Places to see
Hindu templeGeneralrafiq · CC BY-SA 4.0Chandrabati Temple
The Shiva temple linked to Chandrabati, the 16th-century poet remembered as the first woman poet of Bengali, on the Phuleshwari at Kacharipara.
Egarasindur Fort
The site of a medieval river fort in Pakundia used by Isa Khan against the Mughals; the fort itself is gone, but old mosques and a dighi remain in the village.
Itna–Mithamoin–Austagram haor road
The all-weather road that runs across the haor between Itna, Mithamoin and Austagram, with water on both sides in the rains.
Fort and palaceFarhan alvee · CC BY-SA 4.0Jangalbari Fort
Isa Khan's second seat, on the Narsunda in Karimganj, where his descendants later settled; a protected site with the family's house, graves and a small museum.
River, lake and haorNafis Fuad Ayon · CC BY-SA 4.0Nikli Haor
One of the largest freshwater wetlands in the country, reaching from Nikli into Mithamoin, Austagram and Itna; in the monsoon a sea of water with village islands.
Mosque and shrineAminul joy · CC BY-SA 4.0Pagla Mosque
A three-storey mosque with a tall minaret on the Narsunda at Harua in Kishoreganj town, famous for the donation boxes people fill from all over the country.
Mosque and shrineAzimronnie · CC BY-SA 4.0Sholakia Eidgah
The open prayer ground on the Narsunda at the eastern edge of Kishoreganj town, known for the largest Eid congregation in the country.
Sources 2
Times, fares and opening hours change. Check before you go.
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