Published: 12:42 AM, 02 April 2018
Rajshahi: A clean and green district
Rajshahi is well-known as a peaceful and pollution-free district. Rajshahi district is reputed for mangoes, silk, education etc. Law and order situation is well here. Visitors often praise this district. Rajshahi was established in 1772. It has 1 city corporation, 4 thanas, 7 municipals, 93 wards, 297 mohollas, 9 upazilas, 70 UPs, 1678 mouzas and 1858 villages. Naming about Rajshahi is contradictory. Perhaps Rani Bhabani named it. 'Raj' is Sangskrit word and 'Shahi' is Persian word.
It is generally said about naming Rajshahi as many landlords and kings lived here. Rajshahi district was developed by four mohkumas Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore and Chapainawbganj in 1984. There are several pretty places which are able to attract visitors.
Rajshahi City
Rajshahi is called an education city. Here all kinds of educational institutes are situated. Weather, peaceful living, decorated all things, clean roads, Padma Garden everything really impress and attract all. Rajshahi City Corporation has 30 wards. Its area is 97 square km. Population is around 15 lakh and education rate is 83 percent.
Rajshahi is called an education city. Here all kinds of educational institutes are situated. Weather, peaceful living, decorated all things, clean roads, Padma Garden everything really impress and attract all. Rajshahi City Corporation has 30 wards. Its area is 97 square km. Population is around 15 lakh and education rate is 83 percent.
Administration Rajshahi Municipality was formed in 1876 and it was turned into City Corporation in 1991. Current mayor of RCC is Mohammod Mosaddik Hossen Bulbul. Beautiful Padma River flows in the south side just beside the city. Rajshahi district's population is around 40 lakh and education rate is 73 percent.
Gourangabari Temple/Kheturi Dham
The Gourangabari Temple/Kheturi Dham is another beautiful visiting spot in Rajshahi. It is about 23 km far in the west side from Rajshahi Sadar. This old temple was established in around 1557 AD. Here traditional and historical 3-day-long Kheturi Fair has been observing since around 445 years. This fair sits in October month (Bangla Aswin-Kartik) every year on the occasion of Narattam Tagore's disappearance.
The Gourangabari Temple/Kheturi Dham is another beautiful visiting spot in Rajshahi. It is about 23 km far in the west side from Rajshahi Sadar. This old temple was established in around 1557 AD. Here traditional and historical 3-day-long Kheturi Fair has been observing since around 445 years. This fair sits in October month (Bangla Aswin-Kartik) every year on the occasion of Narattam Tagore's disappearance.
In Kheturi, Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura arranged the famous Kheturi Mahotsava. This was the first "Gaura-Purnima" festival to honor the divine appearance day of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. During the festival six Deities were installed: Sri Gauranga Deva, Sri Vallabhi Kanta, Sri Vraja Mohana, Sri Krishna, Sri Radha Kanta, Sri Radha Ramana. The history of this temple is closely mixed with Narattam Tagore.
He lived 82 years in the earth. His father name was Krisnananda Das and mother name was Narayani Debi. There are seven temples inside this institute. These are: Narayan, Gouranga, Shib, Narattam, Jagannath, Radha-Gabinda and Loknath Goswami temples. At present this institute has 292 bighas land. The institute is directed by its own Trust Board or committee. Hundreds of visitors come here to see this ancient temple now and then.
Panihar Library
'Panihar Library' is another famous and an old library situated at Kakonhat municipality of Godagari upazila and 35 km away from Rajshahi Proper. This library was built in 1945 by Enaytullah Master. About 13,000 rare collection of different types of book are present in this library. Palli Kabi Jasimuddin, Bande Ali Miah, Ila Mitra, Hanif Sanket and many famous persons visited this 70-year-old library. At present Manjur Rahman (64), son of library founder Enaytullah Pandit, takes care of it. It was led by Ministry of Education and Culture in 1958.
'Panihar Library' is another famous and an old library situated at Kakonhat municipality of Godagari upazila and 35 km away from Rajshahi Proper. This library was built in 1945 by Enaytullah Master. About 13,000 rare collection of different types of book are present in this library. Palli Kabi Jasimuddin, Bande Ali Miah, Ila Mitra, Hanif Sanket and many famous persons visited this 70-year-old library. At present Manjur Rahman (64), son of library founder Enaytullah Pandit, takes care of it. It was led by Ministry of Education and Culture in 1958.
Sarmangla Eco Park
Sarmangla Eco Park is another beautiful place which grew naturally. It is also nice spot for visitors. There are mangoes, fruits, flowers and many trees here. Seats are set up at the both sides in this park. It is situated around 32 km in the west side from Rajshahi town.
Sarmangla Eco Park is another beautiful place which grew naturally. It is also nice spot for visitors. There are mangoes, fruits, flowers and many trees here. Seats are set up at the both sides in this park. It is situated around 32 km in the west side from Rajshahi town.
Varendra Research Museum
Varendra Research Museum is another popular visiting attraction situated in Rajshahi town and maintained by Rajshahi University. It is considered the first and oldest museum in our country established in 1910. The Rajahas of Rajshahi and Natore, notably Prince Sharat Kumar Ray, donated their personal collections to Varendra Museum. He is the founder of this museum.
Lord Carmichael laid the foundation stone of it on November 13, 1916. There are six galleries in the museum. The museum boasts of a rich collection of 4100 ancient statues, 5000 rare puthis (old manuscript), 20000 coins and ancient documents. Dr Sultan Ahmed is the current Director General of the museum.
Rajshahi College
It is undoubtedly known to all that Rajshahi College is another beautiful, famous and renowned college in Bangladesh. Actually, it is the third oldest institution after Dhaka College and Chittagong College. It was established on April 1, 1873. The college was built by past kings or landlords of Rajshahi, Natore, Puthia, Balihar (Naogaon) and others. Mr Hargobind Sen was the first principal of this college.
It is undoubtedly known to all that Rajshahi College is another beautiful, famous and renowned college in Bangladesh. Actually, it is the third oldest institution after Dhaka College and Chittagong College. It was established on April 1, 1873. The college was built by past kings or landlords of Rajshahi, Natore, Puthia, Balihar (Naogaon) and others. Mr Hargobind Sen was the first principal of this college.
Md Habibur Rahman is the current 56th principal of this college. There are 24 subjects and 37 organizations of co-curricular activities (like Badhon, BNCC, Red Crescent etc) here. There are many students of this college in home and abroad whom students brought fame and praise for this college and country. This college was declared by National University as the best college among other colleges in Bangladesh in 2015 and 2016 respectively. And government declared it in 2016 and 2017.
The teachers are punctual, regular and industrious here. There are 241 teachers and 23, 720 students in this college at present. Rajshahi College has total 11 hostels. 8 bhabans for Muslim students, 1 for Hindu students and 2 for female students. There are 14 buses of this college for carrying students. The first martyr monument is situated at Muslim Hostel in Bangladesh.
Rajshahi University
Rajshahi University is another visiting spot and it's one of the beautiful campuses among other public universities in Bangladesh. It was established in 1953. There are 57 departments under 9 faculties. There are 37248 students, 1202 teachers and 17 residential halls here. Academic buildings are 13 and laboratory 18. Staff are around 2630. There is 1 stadium, 2 gymnasiums, 1 swimming pool, 4 football grounds, 1 hockey ground, 4 tennis courts, 2 basketball courts and 1 squash court in the campus. The campus' area is on 753 acres land.
The co-curricular activities like Rajshahi University Journalist Association (RUJA), Rajshahi University Career Club (RUCC), Business Faculty Debating Forum (BFDF), Students Rights Association (SRA) etc are working effectively in the campus. The university has 42 buses for carrying students. First Vice-Chancellor (VC) was Itrat Husain Zuberi and present 23th VC is M Abdus Sobhan. Students from Nigeria, Nepal, Jamaica countries come to this university for study. After all, this institute is proud of Rajshahi, Bangladesh and out of country.
Sage Shah Makhdum Shrine
There is another spot Sage Shah Makhdum Shrine at Dargapara in Rajshahi city. Shah Makhdum Rupos (R:) is the 14th century Sufi saint. He came from Bagdad to preach Islam here. Makhdum means religious leader and Rupos means a veiled one. He was the grandson of Hazrat Abdul Kader Zilani (R:). He defeated the tyrannical tantric Raja. At present, his Urs is performed on 27 Rajab every year. And a fair is held here on Muharram 10 ever year. It is said that he came to Rajshahi by sitting on top of crocodile.
There is another spot Sage Shah Makhdum Shrine at Dargapara in Rajshahi city. Shah Makhdum Rupos (R:) is the 14th century Sufi saint. He came from Bagdad to preach Islam here. Makhdum means religious leader and Rupos means a veiled one. He was the grandson of Hazrat Abdul Kader Zilani (R:). He defeated the tyrannical tantric Raja. At present, his Urs is performed on 27 Rajab every year. And a fair is held here on Muharram 10 ever year. It is said that he came to Rajshahi by sitting on top of crocodile.
Bagha Mosque
Bagha Mosque is also an old, ancient and beautiful mosque for visitors. Sultan Nusrat Shah built Bagha Mosque in 1523 AD. It has 10 domes. It is 40 km far at the southeast side of Rajshahi city. This brick mosque is under Archaeology Department. There are four exterior angles. The mosque is noteworthy for its exquisite terracotta calligraphy.
Bagha Mosque is also an old, ancient and beautiful mosque for visitors. Sultan Nusrat Shah built Bagha Mosque in 1523 AD. It has 10 domes. It is 40 km far at the southeast side of Rajshahi city. This brick mosque is under Archaeology Department. There are four exterior angles. The mosque is noteworthy for its exquisite terracotta calligraphy.
Puthia Rajbari (Palace)
Puthia Rajbari is another old and eye-catching tourist spot in Rajshahi district. This place is 30 km away from the east of Rajshahi town. It was established in 1895 for Rani Hemanta Kumari. At present, it is used by Lashkarpur Degree College.
Puthia Rajbari is another old and eye-catching tourist spot in Rajshahi district. This place is 30 km away from the east of Rajshahi town. It was established in 1895 for Rani Hemanta Kumari. At present, it is used by Lashkarpur Degree College.
The place was named after Laskar Khan. The Rajbari stands on 4.31 acres of land. It is divided into 4 courts- Karchri Angan (office court), Mandir Angan (temple court), Andar Mahal (inner quarters), Residence of Maharani Hemanta Kumari. It is thought around 400-year-old place. It is our heritage for tourism. Quamaruzzaman Central Park, Shishu Park, Padma River Bank, Safina Park etc are also nice spots. You are cordially welcome to visit the district.
The writer is a Sub Editorin The Asian Age.
The writer is a Sub Editorin The Asian Age.
