Old Dhaka

5 reasons Old Dhaka will ruin your love for the rest of the city

Whether you’re a curious traveller or a local looking to rediscover your roots, certain experiences in Old Dhaka simply can’t be missed. So, here are 5 quintessential Old Dhaka experiences that will make you fall in love with this part of the city all over again.

Shankhari Bazar: The street that transforms for Durga Puja

Shankhari Bazar in Dhaka transforms during Durga Puja with vibrant decorations, music, and rituals. This narrow street, famous for its conch shell bangles, becomes a lively hub of cultural celebration, culminating in the ethereal Sindur Khela on Bijoya Dashami

Old Dhaka’s hidden gems: Where history meets crumb mutton chops

Last Friday, I was strolling through Mohini Mohan Das Lane in the nostalgic neighbourhood of Farashganj in Old Dhaka. I love the old architecture of the area, and often go on such random excursions whenever I need to unwind.

Dhaka Gate: Old monument, new life

This old image portraying Dhaka Gate has a rustic vibe — with the grass and pathway and the elephants.

Gandaria: Sugarcane central of a bygone era

The hint of this past is in its very name — “gandari” means sugarcane, and it is widely believed that the etymology is based on all the sugarcane cultivation that took place there.

Old Dhaka's Beauty Lassi going strong even after 100 years!

How much did our city change in the last 100 years? Definitely an astounding lot! But Beauty Lassi and Falooda has stood — nay, won — the test of time.

The iconic Tara Masjid did not always have those stars!

Today, it is hard to imagine our beloved Star Mosque without its stars. And with that comes the obvious question, what was the name of this mosque before those stars were added?

The archive of Dhaka beneath the city

You were chosen because of your heart. Because of the incredible love you carry, despite the cruelty of this hungry city. Because of the strength you have, forged by the trials and tribulations of Dhaka.

Boats against the current: Reconciling the Dhaka of old with the new

Nadeem Zaman’s The Inheritors retells and recontextualizes one of the most famous stories there ever was—F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (1925).

January 13, 2022
January 13, 2022

Your go-to guide to hosting a Shakrain party at the heart of old Dhaka

Shakrain, also known as ‘Poush Songkranti’, takes place to mark the last day of the Bangla month, Poush. It will take place on 14 January this year, with last year’s festivity observed in a limited scale to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Whether you are hosting for the first time or need a refresher, let us give some pointers to have a fun event this year!

November 15, 2021
November 15, 2021

Beauty Lassi: A legacy of taste

While many establishments struggle to survive in the restaurant business for more than a few years, ‘Beauty Lassi and Falooda’ has done it for a hundred years and it not only survived, it has thrived with glory.

November 14, 2021
November 14, 2021

The best lassi in Dhaka

There are lots of eateries and restaurants in Dhaka that serve delectable lassi, and within these are some places that one must visit. Thus, we set on a hunt down town for the best lassi available!

July 18, 2019
July 18, 2019

Old Dhaka building collapse: 2 bodies recovered from debris

Firefighters recover the bodies of two men from the rubble of a partially collapsed two-storey building in the Old Dhaka’s Patuatuli area.

July 17, 2019
July 17, 2019

One found dead in Old Dhaka building collapse

The body of a man is found inside the rubble of a collapsed building at Pathantoli in Old Dhaka.

May 6, 2019
May 6, 2019

Joloj’s watercolour show marks Shilpangan’s 27th anniversary

Old Dhaka is the birth place of our art practice; be it fine art or performing arts like poetry, music and dance. It also bears the testimony of Mughal architecture. Traditional festival, like Shakrain, are unique heritages of the Old Dhaka.

March 13, 2019
March 13, 2019

85 tonnes polythene seized from 22 factories in Old Dhaka

A mobile court of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) snaps the power supply of 22 factories and fines their owners Tk 26 lakh for manufacturing banned polythene in Old Dhaka’s Sowari Ghat area.

March 6, 2019
March 6, 2019

110 tonnes polythene seized, power supply of 16 factories snapped in Old Dhaka

A mobile court of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) snaps the power supply to 16 establishments for storing flammable chemicals and manufacturing banned polythene in Old Dhaka.

March 6, 2019
March 6, 2019

Non-implementation of court’s directives over Nimtoli fire unfortunate: HC

The High Court observes that non-implementation of its directives and rule over the 2010 Nimtoli fire in Old Dhaka is unfortunate.

March 5, 2019
March 5, 2019

100 mounds inflammable chemicals seized from Old Dhaka

A mobile court of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) seizes 100 mounds of combustible chemicals from Old Dhaka’s Armanitola area.