Darasbari Mosque

Darasbari Mosque is located near Ampur in Chapainawabganj Sadar. Local residents know the site of this mosque as Darasbari. According to the inscriptions of the mosque, the Darasbari mosque was built in 1497 during the reign of Sultan Shamsuddin Yusuf. In the beginning the name of the mosque was Ferozepur Mosque but after the establishment of Darasbari Madrasa in 1504, the name Darasbari Mosque came to be known by people's mouths. The Darasbari Mosque made of terracotta bricks bears many similarities to the Chamnika Mosque in India. The inner rectangle of the mosque is divided into two parts and its main dome is very interesting to see. Darasbari Mosque is 99 feet 5 inches in length and 34 feet 9 inches in width and has a 10 feet 7 inches long balcony on the east side of the mosque. The mosque has a total of 9 elaborate mehrabs. And on the north side of the mosque there is a huge pond of about 60 bighas.

The Yusufi Shahi script inscribed in Togra script from the historic Darasbari Mosque is currently preserved in the Kolkata Museum.

You can go from Dhaka to Chapainawabganj in different ways. If you want to go to Chapainawabganj from Dhaka by bus, you can go directly to Chapainawabganj via Rajshahi. But if you want to go from Dhaka by train or plane, you will first come to Rajshahi and then Chapainawabganj. Modern, Hanif and Shyamoli Paribahan buses can easily reach Chapainawabganj via Rajshahi. From Chapainawabganj city you can go directly to Darasbari Masjid which is located near Chota Sona Masjid by CNG, auto rickshaw or bus.

Rajshahi is accessible by road, rail and air from the capital Dhaka city. From Dhaka's Gabtali, Kalyanpur, Green Line and Desh Travels AC buses travel to Rajshahi at a fare of Tk 900 to 1400. Non-AC buses like Shyamli, Hanif, National Travels, Bablu Enterprise etc. operate at a fare of Tk 710 to 750.

Silk City Express train departs for Rajshahi from Kamalapur railway station of Dhaka at 2:40 PM on 6 days of the week except Sunday. Besides, Padma Express train leaves Dhaka for Rajshahi every day except Tuesday at 10:45 PM, Dhumketu Express at 6:00 AM except Thursday and Banalata Express at 1:30 PM except Friday. In these trains, the fare according to category is decorative chair 405-585, snigdha 771-1116, AC seat 926-1024 and AC berth 1386 taka.

If you want to go to Rajshahi by air, you can travel from Dhaka's Shahjalal International Airport by Biman Bangladesh Airlines and United Air for Tk 3500 to Tk 4500.

You can take a local bus from Rajshahi to Kansat at a fare of 70 taka, and from there you can reach Darasbari Mosque with an auto fare of 10/15 taka.

There are several hotels in Chapainawabganj town for overnight stay. Notable hotels include Hotel Rose ( 01761-855471 ), Lal Boarding ( 01718-279841 ), Hotel Al Nahid ( 01713-376902 ), Hotel Sapnapuri ( 01711-416041 ), Nawabganj Boarding ( 01715-167646 ), Hotel Rangdhanu ( 01712- 339687 ).

There are no food facilities around Chota Sona Masjid. However, you will find several quality hotels/restaurants for food in Chapainawabganj. But don't forget to eat Shibganj's Adi Chamcham.