Vasu Vihara Bogra

Vasu Vihara is an ancient archeological monument located in Bihar village, 6 km from Mahasthangarh in Shibganj upazila of Bogra district. Local residents of Bogra know this place west of Nagar river as Narpati step. Two Gupta era rectangular Buddhist Viharas and a Krushakriti temple have been discovered from Vasu Vihara.

The first excavations at Vasu Vihar took place from 1973 to 1974. Excavations yielded two medium-sized sangharams, a partial structure of a temple and about 800 valuable archaeological artifacts. These include small statues, bronze Buddhist statues, terracotta plaques, seals, precious stone beads, patterned bricks, plaques and clay lamps etc. Vasu Vihara is considered to be the ruins of Buddhist sangharam. The structures of the big and small sangharam discovered here are almost the same. It has 26 rooms, wraparound porches and entrances. The famous Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang referred to this place as “Po-shi-po” or “World Temple”. Vasu Vihara was once known as an important religious school of Buddhists.

To go to Vasu Vihar from Dhaka you have to go to Bogra town first. You can go to Bogra from Dhaka by bus, train or own transport. There are various buses to Bogra from Gabtali, Mohakhali, Shyamoli, Abdullahpur and Kalyanpur in Dhaka. The AC/Non-AC bus fare is Tk 550 to Tk 1300. Again, you can go to Bogra from Dhaka's Kamalapur by Burimari Express, Lalmony Express and Rangpur Express trains. To go by train, the fare will be 475 to 1093 taka depending on the class. Distance from Bogra to Vasu Vihar is 20 km. From Bogra town one can take CNG or auto rickshaw to Vasu Vihar by entering Veer Shrestha Square through Gokul Medh Road.

Among the residential hotels located in Bogra, Mom Inn, Hotel Naz Garden, Tourism Motel, Safeway Motel, Century Motel, Motel Castle are notable.

There are several restaurants in Bogra city like Sathi Hotel & Restaurant, Maer Doa Hotel, Guest Garden Restaurant, Chap Corner and Hotel Safina. But definitely don't miss to taste the famous yogurt of Bogra city.

Other places to visit in Bogra include Mahasthangarh , Kherua Mosque, Gokul Medh, Rani Bhavani's Pitralaya and Bhimer Jangal.

Feature Image: Salim Rana