Itakhola Mura Comilla

Itakhola Mura, located in Kotbari, about 7 km from Comilla Sadar Upazila, is a Buddhist monastery built in the seventh or eighth century. Three levels are observed in this archaeological site, which is about 40 feet above the plain on the opposite side of Roopban Mura. The place came to be known as Itakhola Mura due to the burning of bricks here since ancient times.

Archeological excavations at Itakhola Mura at various times have uncovered a Buddhist monastery and stupa. Traversing nearly 5 cultural eras has made it quite difficult to recover all the archaeological evidence of this site. The main attraction of Itakhola Mura is the vast stupa complex within the discovered site. Situated on a base of about 13.1 square meters, this stupa has a small pithasa 2.4 meters long and 2.1 meters wide in the center of its facade.

Climbing up the entrance to Itakhola Mura, one can see the main temple in this vihara in the middle of a rectangular field. The main deity of this temple is Dhyani Buddha Akshovya. There is a headless Buddhist statue built in the 3rd construction period. Artifacts recovered from Itakhola Mura include gold weighing about 18 tolas, gold balls encased in clay pots, silver coins, copper plates, clay plaques, bust of Dhyan Buddha, metal Dhyan Buddha Akshovya, metal Dhyan Buddha Amitabh, Ganesha idol, decorated burnt clay plaque, clay pot , oil lamps, etc. are notable.

If you want to go to Itakhola Mura, you have to come to Comilla district. Comilla can be reached by train and bus from Dhaka. From Kamalapur, one can go to Comilla by various Chittagong bound trains including Mahanagar Prabhati/Godhuli, Coastal Express, Paharika Express and Turna. To go by train, the fare will be Tk 190 to Tk 777 depending on the seat.

By road from Syedabad or Kamalapur bus stand in Dhaka to Comilla by Chittagong or Fenibound bus in addition to non-AC/AC buses like Royal Coach, Asia Aircon, BRTC, Prince, Asia Line, Trisha. You can get down from Kotbari bus stand in Comilla by CNG or auto rickshaw to reach Itakhola Mura.

There are hotels of different quality in Comilla Kandirpar, Shimanagacha and Station Road. Among them, Hotel Sonali, Hotel Victoria Residential, Amania Rest House, Hotel Dream Land, Masum Rest House, Hotel Melody, Hotel Noor are notable.

On the way to Itakhola Mura, you can eat your favorite food at several good restaurants including Irish Hill Highway Hotel, Saudia Hotel, Jhal Bangla Restaurant, Hotel Mainamati, Ujan Highway, Anwar Hotel, Saqib Hotel and Liza Hotel. And of course don't forget to taste the famous rasmalai and rasgolla, Bhagwati's peda, Mithai's malai chop from Manoharpur's mother store in Comilla.

Feature Image: Mehdi Hasan