Kismat-Maria Mosque
Type: History & Archaeology
Contributed By: Nayeem
Brief
Kismat-Maria Mosque (কিসমত-মারিয়া মসজিদ) is the academic name, where local people knows this as Durgapur mosque (দুর্গাপুর মসজিদ). The mosque is located at the Maria (মারিয়া) village, adjacent to village Kismat (কিসমত), that’s why it is called Kismat-Maria Masjid.
It is totally unknown about any sort of historical information. No inscription available at the doorway or anywhere. Even the government doesn’t have any document or info regarding this. To add insult to the injury, the local people cannot remember anything about this mosque either. It’s a total mystery.
It is certain that the mosque was built several hundred years back. It is having three domes at the top. Four ornate pillars at the four sides of the mosque. Eastern side of the mosque is having three entrances. The mosque is built over a 2-3 feet of high base. The domes of the mosque is similar to the Kartalab Khan’s Mosque at Old Dhaka.
The mosque has a small house type of building at the southern side. This is another great archaeological object from our Bangladesh.
How to go
1) Come to Shibpur Bazar (শিবপুর বাজার) from Rajshahi town. It will be 25-30 minutes of ride using local bus for 10 taka fare. GPS is (24°22’52.71″N, 88°46’12.79″E).
2) Using Tempo/Votvoti (ভটভটি), go to the village Pali (পালি গ্রাম). It will be 5 taka per person. GPS is (24°24’41.52″N, 88°46’43.75″E).
3) From the Pali village (পালি গ্রাম), take a van or similar things to go to the mosque. Better hire the van for round trip, otherwise you have to walk while returning.
How To Reach: Rajshahi District
It is approximately 261 km away from Dhaka. Bus, Train and Air Plane are available as transportation service from and to Rajshahi districts.
Transportation in Rajshahi is very good. There is bus service; taxi cabs, three-wheeler auto rickshaw and horse-driven tomtom are available to move within the city. Rajshahi is well connected to the rest of country through roads, air, rail and water.
There are two intercity bus terminals in the city. It takes about 5 to 6 hours by road to reach the capital. A number of bus services, including air-conditioned and non-air conditioned buses, are available to and from Dhaka. Bus services to other major cities and district’s headquarter are also available from Rajshahi.
Bangladesh Railway’s western zone head office is located in this city. Three Inter-City train services are operated by Bangladesh Railway, named “Silk City Express” “Padma Express” and “Dhumketu Express” between Dhaka and Rajshahi regularly. There are other inter-city, mail and local trains operated from here to connect Khulna city and other part of the country.
Shah Makhdum Airport is the primary airport serving the city. It is named after the Islamic preacher Hazrat Shah Makhdum (Rh.) is situated a short distance away from Rajshahi city. Domestic flights from Dhaka and Saidpur are available.
NAME OF SERVICE DEPARTURE TIME Phone No.
Green Line (Volvo) 08:30AM, 03:15PM, 11:30PM 01730-060080
Hanif Enterprise 04:30AM to 11:30PM (with every 30 minutes interval) 0173-402670
Shyamoli Paribahan 05:00AM to 12:00Pm (with every 1 hour interval) 02-900331, 02-8034275.
Modern Enterprise 06:00AM to 12:00Pm (with every 1 hour interval) 9123743, 327293, 806099
Train name: Silkcity Express
Train Number: 753
Train Route: Dhaka – Rajshahi – Dhaka
Starting Station: Dhaka
Starting Time: 1440
Destination Station: Rajshahi
Arrival Time: 2050
Time Taken: 6 Hours 10 Minutes
Facilities:
⇒ Prayer Place
⇒ Government defined foods and drinks with defined prices
⇒ Public Toilet
⇒ Booklets and magazines (have to buy)
⇒ Walking facilities between one compertment to another if needed
⇒ Government Railway Police (GRP) gaurd all the time
⇒ Very less chance to accident
⇒ Different Class for luxery or saving money
⇒ You can see the natural beauty by the window beside you
⇒ Cheap than any service
Where to Stay
1. Hotel Red Castle
Hotel Red Castle is a nice guest house for accommodation. It is situated at the centre point of Rajshahi district. The river Padma is very near from the hotel. Anyone can easily go anywhere in the city from the hotel. Moreover the rent of the hotel is also very cheap. It has 13 rooms in 2 floors. Room Fare: Single A/C BDT 1,000/-, Double A/C BDT 2,200/- to BDT 3,200/- Have to add 15% VAT and 5% Service charge. Address: Serushar Para, College Road, Boalia,Rajshahi.
2. Hotel Sukarna International
কাপড় পট্টির গলি Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Phone: 0721-771817
3. Haq’s Inn
Extra Facilities: Boiled water, Television, Car Parking, Attached Bath
Address: Bir Srestha Captain Mohiuddin Zahangir Sarani, Shiroil, Rajshahi-6100.
Phone: 810420, 810421
Email: Hotel.nice@yahoo.com
Email: haqsinn@librabd.net
Rates: 250 to 1400 BDT
4. Hotel Dalas International
Extra Facilities: Boiled Water, Television for Each Room, Car Parking, Attached Bath.
Phone: 811470, 773839,
Mobile: 0171-802387
Address: Bindur More, Rail Gate, Rajshahi
Rates: 350 to 1600 BDT
5. Hotel Mukta International
Extra Facilities: Boiled Water, Television for Each Room, Car Parking, Attached Bath.
Address: Ganakpara, Shaheb Bazar, Rajshahi
Phone: 771100, 771200
Rates: 250 to 1500 BDT
6. Hotel Mid Town International
Extra Facilities: Boiled water, Television, Telephone, Dining, Attached Bath
Address: Shaheb Bazar (Be side of Zero Point), Rajshahi
Phone: 774961, 811528
Mobile: 0173-704314
Rates: 300 to 900 BDT
Other accommodation facilities in Rajshahi are as follows:
Porjoton Motel (0721-775237), Hotel al Hasib (Ganokpara, Boalia), Hotel Moon (Shahebbazar, Boalia), Hotel Radar, Hotel hox Inn (Shroil, Boalia, Rajshahi), Hotel Jomjom (Hetmotha, Boalia), Hotel Prince (Ganokpara, Boalia), Hotel Saikat (Laxmipur mor), Islami Abasik Hotel (Laxmipur, Razpara), Hotel Sukanna International (Somobay Super Market), Hotel Nice International (Ganokpara), Hotel Sky (Molopara, Boalia), Hotel Heaven (Sharoil Bazar, Boalia), Hotel Elegent (Ganokpara, Boalia).
Eating Facilities
You need to search for local restaurants nearby.
