Mahasthangarh is located in Shivganj Upazila of Bogra District. The ancient Pundranagari has about 4000 years of intact structures. Maurya and Gupta kings used Mahasthangarh as their provincial capital. Later Pala kings used Pundranagar or Mahasthannagar as their main capital. If you want to see the ruins of the ancient Pundra city, you have to go to the western bank of the Karatoya river that flows by the side of Bogra city.
Rangpur, Bogra, Dinajpur, Maldah, Rajshahi i.e. Barendra Bhanchal are the original residence of Pundras. According to history, in 693, the famous Chinese traveler Wan Chun came to Pundranagar i.e. Mahasthangarh to visit the Buddhist establishment. According to his description, at that time the six-mile-wide city was established as a prosperous town, much like the structure of Babylon, Athens, Egypt. Pundranagari gradually became Mahasthangarh during Muslim rule.
In 1808 Buchanan Hamilton first discovered the ruins of Mahasthangarh and later in 1931 Mahasthangarh was identified as an ancient Pundranagari.
Places to visit in Mahasthangarh
All Mahasthangarhs have various historical places and important structures. These include the remains of two temples at Bairagi’s Vita, Jodarapakha’s Vita, Kalidah Sagar and Padmadevi’s abode, Shiladevi’s Ghat, Jyutkund Kup, remnants of a 15-domed mosque on Mankalir Island, Govinda Vita, father of Totaram Pandita and Gokul Medha, the home of Behula’s Basar Dathba Lakshisar Medha. known
Other things to see are Iskashab Steps, Khullanar Thap, Mahi Sawar Mazar Sharif, Bhimer Jungle, Jagir Bhawan, Arora, Teghar, Rojakpur, Mathura, Mahasthangarh Museum and Parashuram Palace.
How to go
Dhaka to Bogra by bus
Buses to Bogra are available from Gabtali, Mohakhali, Shyamoli, Abdullahpur, Kalyanpur in the capital Dhaka. Bus services to Bogra include Shyamoli Paribahan (02-900331, 8034275), SR Travels (8013793, 8019312), 01711-394801), Hanif Enterprise (01713-402671, 01713-402631), Ekta Paribahan (01712-287730). Bull Enterprises , SA Paribahan (01916-712614, 01945-375887), Shah Fateh Ali Paribahan are noteworthy. AC and non-AC bus fare to Bogura is Tk 550 to Tk 1300.
Dhaka to Bogra by train
From Dhaka Burimari Express, Lalmony Express and Rangpur Express trains travel through Bogra so you can go to Bogra by riding these trains. Dhaka to Burimari Express departs daily except Tuesday at 8:30 AM, Bangpur Express train departs daily except Monday at 9:10 AM and Lalmoni Express departs daily except Friday at 9:45 PM. The price of the train ticket is Tk 475-1093 depending on the seat.
Mahasthangarh can easily be reached by CNG or auto rickshaw from Bogra city.