Shat Gombuj Masjid: Visitors demand standard hotels, better roads

Thousands of water-lilies of Ghora Dighi at the premises of Shat Gambuj Masjid in Sadar upazila, which usually buzz with visitors in the winter season, are ready to welcome the tourists from home and abroad.

The Mosque, also known as the Sixty Dome Mosque, was built by the Muslim saint Khan Jahan Ali about 600 years ago.

Authorities concerned said local tourists have to pay Tk 20 while the foreigners Tk 200 for entering the world heritage site.

One of the visitors from Dhaka Afsana said, “The environment here is very calm, quite and clean. We have enjoyed the scenic beauty of the 600-year-old mosque with holiness in our heart.”

Moreover, the water lilies in Ghora Dighi and the tress and sheds surrounding its bank are always seemed welcoming the guests at the world heritage site, she added.  

Abdur Rashid, another visitor from Faridpur, said, “I have offered my Zohr prayer at the historic mosque and thanked the almighty Allah for helping me visiting the site.”

“After enjoying the aesthetic design of the mosque and scenic beauty of Ghora Dighi I am feeling very happy,” he said.

“While visiting the historic site tourists have to face serious problems due to insufficient hotel facilities and troublesome road communication,” Rashid said, adding that the authorities concerned should make necessary arrangements to attract more tourists.

Tourist Ripon Sheikh, who came from Gopalganj, said, “Everything here including the holy mosque is magnificent. My kids are very happy as the authorities concerned have arranged some rides for the children as well.”

Bagerhat is famous for its 17 archaeological establishments of the Sultani era, Bagerhat Archaeological Department Custodian Golam Ferdous said, adding that after completion of the Padma Bridge the district will buzz with more tourists.

The government has earned about Tk 70 lakh revenue from the historic site last year and hope to earn Tk 1 crore this year, he added.