Rajshahi

Long ago, before cities rose and roads spread across Bengal, there stood a grand fortified city—Pundranagar, the heart of the ancient Pundra Kingdom. Today, its ruins rest quietly in Mahasthangarh, near Rajshahi, where whispers of royal life and forgotten rituals still linger in the air.

As you wander past crumbling citadel walls and weathered temple stones, you step into a world that once thrived over two thousand years ago. Inscriptions from the time of Emperor Ashoka, relics of Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim faiths, and the sacred Govinda Bhita Temple all tell tales of a place deeply rooted in South Asian history.

But Mahasthangarh isn't just about ruins. Morning mist wraps the open fields, and the Padma River flows nearby, bringing peace to a place once full of life. Here, history and nature live side by side—offering a journey not just through time, but into the quiet soul of Bangladesh.

Tucked within the quiet temple village of Puthia, near Rajshahi, stands one of Bangladesh's most iconic structures—the Shiva Temple, a fusion of devotion, artistry, and royal history. Built between 1823 and 1830 by Rani Bhubonmoyee Devi, this temple was a tribute to Lord Shiva and a symbol of the Puthia royal family's legacy.

Its towering Pancha Ratna (five-spire) design rises over the calm waters of Shiv Sagar, blending Jaipuri influence with local Bengal architecture. Inside lies a massive black basalt Shiva Linga—the largest in Bangladesh—believed to be immovable even during wartime, a symbol of spiritual resilience.

Still active today, the temple becomes a hub of devotion during Shivaratri, drawing worshippers and travelers alike. In Puthia, the Shiva Temple stands not just as a monument, but as a living link to the region's sacred past.

Long ago, in the 8th century, a great emperor named Dharma Pala dreamed of creating a place where knowledge and spirituality would flourish together. From this vision rose Shompur Bihara, a grand monastery in the heart of ancient Bengal. Imagine vast courtyards filled with thousands of monks and students, their minds alive with the study of philosophy, medicine, and the teachings of Buddha. The red-brick walls, adorned with delicate terracotta carvings, echoed the harmony of art and learning.

Shompur Bihara wasn't just a religious site—it was one of the world's earliest universities, influencing architecture and culture far beyond Bengal's borders. Though time and history caused it to fade from memory, today its ruins stand proudly as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking through Shompur Bihara is like stepping back into a forgotten world, where wisdom once ruled and ideas crossed borders, shaping the future of Asia.