Kutub Shah Masjid

Qutub Masjid or Qutub Shah Mosque is located in the heart of Ashtagram Upazila of Kishoreganj District. Qutb Shah Mosque has historical importance as there is no existing inscription of the mosque and its construction style is considered as a sign of the Sultanate period of 16th century. There is a grave next to the mosque and this grave is known as Qutb Shah's grave. There are four octagonal towers in the four corners of the Qutb Shah mosque and there are minarets on each tower. Additionally, the mosque features five domes in total. There are entrances to the mosque from three sides except the western side. The cornice of this mosque is curved, there are various crafts on the walls of the mosque. It has the reputation of being the oldest structure of the Sultanate period in the greater Mymensingh region. In 1909, the Directorate of Archeology registered the Qutub Shah Mosque as a protected structure. Visit Qutb Masjid and your trip to Ashtagram Haor will be complete.

To go from Kishoreganj to Ashtagram, from the Gaital bus stand of the city, take an Ananya Super bus bound for Dhaka or Bhairab or take a commuter bus at a fare of Tk 150 per person, get off at Dariyakandi bus stand of Kuliarchar police station and go to Kuliarchar Lounge Ghat by CNG or auto rickshaw.

To come from Dhaka to Ashtagram, you can take Ananya Super or Commuter Bus from Golap Bagh or Mohakhali Bus Terminal to Bhairab and get down at Dariyakandi Bus Stand of Kuliarchar Thana and go to Kuliarchar Launch Ghat. Bus fare will be 350 Tk.

It will take about 2-3 hours to reach Ashtagram from Kuliarchar launch ghat at a fare of 80 to 100 taka per person. Recently, a speed boat has been launched from Kuliachar launch ghat for a fare of Tk 200 per person and it takes 40 to 45 minutes to reach Ashtagram.

You can go to Ashtagram by road during dry season but for that you have to come to Bajitpur upazila. If you travel by train, you can get off at Bhagalpur railway station and take an easy bike to Bajitpur. If you travel by bus, there is a BRTC bus service from Dhaka to Bajitpur.

Besides, you can get Bajitpur CNG from the bus stop by getting off any bus going to Kishoreganj. From Bajitpur Bazar come to Dighir Par by easy bike or CNG. You can cross the river in 10 minutes by boat at the ghat and you can see easybikes or motorcycles waiting for passengers going to Ashtagram. The fare to travel to Ashtagram by motorcycle is Tk 100 per person.

The traditional Qutub Shah Mosque can be easily visited from any part of Ashtagram in 15 to 20 minutes by rickshaw or easy bike.

The primary location is the Zila Parishad Dak Bungalow. Rent 300-1500 taka (depending on the room). Book in advance by contacting the caretaker. He will also arrange cooking. Caretaker Phone Number: 0171-0291225 / 01914-975389. Besides, there are some hotels to stay in Ashtagram Bazar, the quality of these hotels is not so good, so take help of familiar people to stay.

You can eat fresh fish from Haor. You can buy it from the local market and cook it yourself in the morning. Different types of fish curries are also available in local hotels. Remember to try Bahari fish freshly caught from Hawar. Ashtagram is known for the best paneer in Bangladesh, but you need to inform the local vendors a day ahead. Also, don't miss the famous 7-inch long Murali of Ashtagram.