Khoniadighi Mosque Chapainawabganj

Khoniadighi Mosque located in Shibganj of Chapainawabganj district is an ancient and historical architectural monument of Bangladesh. The distance from Chapainawabganj district headquarters to Khaniadighi Mosque is 36 km. This ancient mosque is popularly known as Rajbibi Masjid and Channika Masjid to local people. The Khaniyadighi Mosque was built during the period of Gaur capital from 1450 to 1565 AD.

Khaniadighi Mosque is 62 feet long and 42 feet wide. The use of stone in the pillars and cornices of mosques decorated with terracotta and brick designs can be seen. The main square room of the Khaniyadighi Mosque, built in the Mughal style of architecture, is 28 feet long on each side. The walls of the mosque are about 7 feet wide so the atmosphere inside the mosque is cool even in extreme heat. The roof of the main mosque has a large dome and 3 smaller domes on the porch roof. And the huge Dighi located next to the mosque is called Khaniya Dighi.

The easiest way to go to Chapainawabganj is by bus. Desh Travels, National Travels, Grameen Travels, Tuhin Elite AC and Non AC buses from Kalyanpur and Gabtali of Dhaka go directly to Chapainawabganj. AC/Non AC bus fare is Tk 830-1500 depending on the standard. From Chapainawabganj district city, you can easily go to Khaniyadighi Mosque by renting Mahendra or CNG.

Besides, you can go by train from Dhaka to Rajshahi and from there by bus to Chapainawabganj district. But if you want to do a day trip, it is better to go directly by bus. In that case, you will leave the previous night and reach the next day morning, you can travel all day and leave for Dhaka by evening bus.

If you need to stay for the night, there are several decent hotels in Chapainawabganj district town. Notable hotels include Hotel Rose, Hotel Al Nahid, Hotel Sapnapuri, Nawabganj Boarding and Hotel Rangdhanu. But the environment is not so good. If you want to live somewhere better, you have to move to Rajshahi city. Bangladesh Tourism Corporation motels in Rajshahi city offer different quality rooms for Tk 1900 to Tk 4600. Among other residential hotels, you will get a room for 500 to 3000 rupees in hotels like Hotel Hawks Inn, Nice International, Mukta International, Dallas International Shukran etc.

Feature Image: Syed Sazzadul Islam