Sankarpasha Shahi Masjid Habiganj

Sankarpasha Shahi Masjid of fifteenth century is located in Rajiura Union of Habiganj district. Terracotta bricks have been used to build this mosque, one of the symbols of the Sultanate period. The red colored Shankarpasha Shahi Masjid is also popularly known as Red Tila Masjid to the locals, spread over an area of ​​about 6 acres. In 1513, the famous Sufi dervish Shah Majlis Amin (R.A.) started the construction of this mosque, but later the construction work of the mosque was completed during the reign of the famous Muslim ruler Sultan Alauddin Hossain Shah.

This beautiful mosque with terracotta designs turned into a wasteland in the course of time. This mosque was discovered due to the need for agriculture when the settlement was established in the area. Shankarapasha Shahi Mosque with four domes of single chala type is 21 feet 6 inches in length and width. The east-north and south walls of the mosque are about 5 feet thick and the western wall is about ten feet thick. And the width of the porch in front of the mosque is about 3 feet. The mosque has a total of 6 elaborate pillars and 15 doors, including four at the four corners of the main hall and two at the two corners of the verandah. Besides, there is a big pond on the south side of the mosque. Currently, the beauty of the mosque is gradually fading due to lack of proper maintenance. On special days, many devout worshipers gather in the mosque.

You can go to Habiganj district by road or rail from Dhaka. From capital's Kalyanpur, Fakirapool or Arambagh, you can take Sohag, Al-Mobaraka, Green Line, Ena, Saudia, Hanif, Unique bus to Habiganj or Sylhet bound bus to Shaistaganj of Habiganj district. Besides, you can go to Habiganj via Shaistaganj by Kalni, Parabat, Jayantika or Upaban Express train from Kamalapur railway station. Shankar Pasha Mosque is located 20 kilometers away from Habiganj city. You can reach Shankarpasha Mosque of Rajiura Union by bus or CNG from Habiganj Shaistaganj intersection.

Habiganj city has residential hotels like Hotel Rose Garden, Alif Hotel, Hotel Amad, Hotel Banani, Hotel Sonar Tari and Prime Rose for overnight stay. Besides, if you want to stay in a luxury resort, you can go to The Palace Luxury Resort located in Bahubal Upazila.

There are food hotels like Pansi, Prime and Bhai Bhai Restaurant on the way from Habiganj to Rajiura. And in Habiganj restaurants like Adda Platinum, Food Palace, Hungry, Noorani Restaurant, Royal Food etc. offer different types of food including Bengali, Chinese and fast food.

Other sightseeing places in Habiganj include Bithangal Bara Akhara, Greenland Park and Satchari National Park.

Feature Image: Ashrafuzzaman Biplab