Bogra
Bangladesh · Asia
About Bogra
Bogra (Bengali: বগুড়া), officially Bogura, is a city located in Bogra District, Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh. The city is a major commercial hub in Northern Bangladesh. It is the second largest city in terms of both area and population in Rajshahi Division.
Bogra is named after Nasiruddin Bughra Khan, the Governor of Bengal from 1279 to 1282 and a son of Delhi sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban. The city is approximately 71.56 km2 (27.63 sq mi) and is divided into 21 wards. Bogra has a population of around 480,000 people. Since it is one of the oldest cities in Bengal, Bogra is famous for its many ancient Buddhist stupas, Hindu temples, and ancient palaces of Buddhist kings and Muslim sultans.
The city was home to several notable individuals including Prime Minister Mohammad Ali Bogra of Pakistan, and President Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh, both of whom were born and lived in the city.
In 2018, the name of the city was officially changed from "Bogra" to "Bogura" by the Bangladeshi government, in order to reflect their pronunciation in Bangla.
Bogra occupies a distinguished place in the history of Bengal, with human settlement in the region dating back over two millennia. The area...
Bogra travel guide
Getting there
By road It is approximately 4 hours from Dhaka. Comfortable luxury coaches offer tickets for approximately 1100 taka. You can go between 550 and 2100.
By helicopter A privet aviation company named BCL Aviation Limited provides helicopter service for Dhaka-Bogura-Dhaka movement. One way fare is BDT 85,000. They also provides Dhaka-Bogura (up and down) scheduled service on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday, per person the rate is BDT 10,625. For details, visit the website the Company.
See
1 Shatmatha (Seven Heads). Roundabout in the heart of the city 2 Mahasthangarh (11 km north). 10AM-6PM. Mahasthangarh is the earliest known city in Bangladesh and the ancient capital of Pundravardhana. The museum on the grounds houses a small collection of artifacts discovered in the city as well as the nearby Somapura Mahavihara. 200 Tk. (updated Sep 2018) 3 Somapura Mahavihara (Paharpur Vihar). Located about 2 hours north-west of the city, this UNESCO-listed site is one of the best known Buddhist viharas. See Paharpur for more information. Mahastan. At least two interesting sites: the Mahasthangarh citadel, and Gokul Medh Sariakandi. To the east (1h by CNG), is a place of local villages, where the Jamuna river can be found (and explored) Zeout Kundu. From a story where if any one is injured by war and drinks from the well they are healed instantly. Bangladesh Spices Research Institute. Shila Davir Ghat, Vasu Bihar, Mahi Saoar Grave and many other sites.
Buy
New market, 100 m north of Shatmatha, in front of Akboria is the place to find anything, really anything, from tailormade clothes to electric devices. There is another market along with the railway, still on north of Shatmatta. There is a decent market for electronic devices and copies known as Saptapadi Market, that is the building just northwest of shatmatha.
Eat
Akboria restaurant, 100 m north of Shatmatha. Good good, biryani and poretas, for a local price (~50 to 100BDT). Shyamoli, just in front, is smaller but with the same good level of service. Red chillies is 200 m south of Shatmatha, good food, higher grade restaurant (250-500 BDT per meal) as well as a guest house (1500BDT/night). Fat Belly offers cheap Chinese/fusion meals in a comfortable environment off the street. Follow the sign up the alley and then left up the stairs. The owner will be keen to chat with any English-speakers.
Drink & nightlife
Alcohol is available in a few locations in Bogura. The following hotels have bars: Naz Garden Hotel, Hotel Momo Inn, Parjatan Motel Bogura. Prices are higher than you might expect.
Sleep
1 Naz Garden Hotel, Silimpur, ☏ +880 5162468. Very good 4* hotel outside of city centre. Has swimming pool and gym. There is a small boating lake behind the building. The restaurant serves reasonably priced food. Approximately 20 minutes by CNG autorickshaw from the main city. from Tk3100. 2 Hotel Momo Inn, Nawdapara, Rangpur Road, ☏ +880 51 62504, +880 51 62505, fax: +88 0516 6402, [email protected]. (updated Mar 2019) 3 Parjatan Motel, Bogura, Banani, Sherpur Road, ☏ +880-51-67024-7, fax: +880-51-66753, [email protected]. ৳800-5,500. (updated Mar 2021) Other good hotels are Red Chillies (downtown), Northway motel (still inside Bogra, but more in the southern part of the main road).Hotel Sies Ta(3*).
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.