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BOGRA
Mahasthangarh
Mahasthan, the oldest archaeological site of Bangladesh
is on the western bank of river Karatoa 18 km. north
of Bogra town beside Bogra-Rangpur Road. The spectacular
site is an imposing landmark in the area having
a fortified, oblong enclosure measuring 5000 ft.
by 4500 ft.with an average height of 15 ft. from
the surrounding paddy fields. Beyond the fortified
area, other ancient ruins fan out within a semicircle
of about five miles radius. Several isolated mounds,
the local names of which are Govinda Bhita Temple,
Khodai Pathar Mound, Mankalir Kunda, Parasuramer
Bedi, Jiyat Kunda etc. surround the fortified city.
This 3rd century archaeological site is still held
to be of great sanctity by the Hindus. Every year
(rnid-April) and once in every 12 years (December)
thousands of Hindu devotees join the bathing ceremony
on the bank of river Karatoa. A visit to the Mahasthangarh
site museum will open up for you wide variety of
antiquities, ranging from terracotta objects to
gold ornaments and coins recovered from the site.
For visiting Paharpur and Mahasthangarh, the visitors
may enjoy the hospitality of Parjatan Motel at Bogra.
Mahasthangarh and Paharpur are only 18 km. and 75
km.respectively from Bogra town.
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