From the Brahmaputra River and hand-crafted Nakshikantha to the eponymous Maimansingha Gitika, Mymensingh has a rich history and magnificent heritage. In its more than two centuries of existence as a district, this area has been home to numerous historical figures. With its convenient rail and bus connections to Dhaka, Mymensingh has all the makings of a bustling tourism hub. So, here is a list of places you can visit in Mymensingh on your next trip.

Muktagacha Zamindar Bari

Found right in the middle of the town of Muktagacha, this is a great place to see a site frozen in time. Even though the majority of the buildings are in a deteriorating state, it covers a relatively large area. It is a widely held belief that the jamindar originally came from North Bengal.

From Mymensingh's town hall, you can take an auto-rickshaw or a local bus for Tk 30 and reach Muktagacha in 30 minutes.

Muktagacha monda sweet shop 

The most incredible monda, a traditional dessert, can be found in Muktagacha. The original sweet was created by Ram Gopal Pal in 1824, who presented it to Jamindar Surya Kanta. The current owner, a member of the local Pal family, is the fifth generation to work in the family business, so rest assured the quality of the monda will leave your tastebuds singing!

Birishiri

The hills of Garo and Meghalaya surround Birishiri, and the Someshwari and Kangsho rivers flow through the area. In winter, Birishiri's white sands and shallow blue water provide a picturesque setting among the river's sandstone banks and verdant hills. Birishiri also has friendly Garo people and a rich cultural history.

If you can rent a car in Mymensingh, the drive to Birishiri will take around 2 hours, as you pass through endless greenery along the way.

Alexander Castle

Lohar Kuthi, established by Maharaja Surya Kanta Acharya Chowdhury, is the historical name for Alexander Castle since it was once primarily an iron structure. The whole castle is remarkably raised on a tall pedestal to protect it from the great Brahmaputra River, which flows nearby. Gardens surround the castle, which was formerly flanked by two shattered Greek sculptures. It is presently serving as the Teacher's College library, and eight rooms on the lower-level store around 15,000 books.

Moyna Dip

With its beautiful scenery and the sounds of nature, Moyna Dip is bound to leave people captivated. Calmness encompasses the island as does the Brahmaputra River's crystal-clear waters. The surrounding lemon grove is also a visually and aromatically stunning addition to the landscape. It is said that an anti-British movement activist Moyna Mia formerly lived here and enjoyed spending time playing the flute in the shade of a tree. Riverside communities, boat rides, and local fauna will provide a gorgeous backdrop to spend your time in this peaceful place.

How to get there…

Mymensingh is accessible in numerous ways. It has rail and transport links to Dhaka. Direct trains from Kamalapur Railway Station can take 3-4 hours. Additionally, trains to Jamalpur also travel through this area so you could take one of those as well. The trains include Jamuna, Brahmaputra, Teesta, and Agnibina Express. Buses go from the Mohakhali Station to Mymensingh; the road journey generally takes 4-5 hours, depending on the traffic.

You may take a day trip from Dhaka if you leave first thing in the morning and come back late at night. For those staying more than a day though, the city has plenty of accommodation options. Several well-known hotels in the area include the Hotel Silver Castle, Hotel Le Marian, Hotel Amir International, etc.

Photo:  LS Archive. Sazzad Ibne Sayed