Comilla (কুমিল্লা): travel guide

Ancient Mainamati Buddhist heritage city with hilltop monastery ruins and the famous Rasmalai sweets.

Comilla is in Cumilla district, Chattogram division, Bangladesh. Compare bus, train and air fares to Comilla and see the route on a map.

Things to do in Comilla

  • Comilla Jagannath Temple (Sateroratna Mandir) (সতেররত্ন মন্দির): Temple to Jagannath built in 1761, called Sateroratna (seventeen-jewel) Mandir for its 17 spires; one of the tallest temples in Bangladesh. Religious, free entry
  • Shalban Vihara (শালবন বিহার): Ruins of a 7th-century Buddhist monastery with 115 monks' cells in the Lalmai-Mainamati hills, about 8 km west of Cumilla; it was in use until the 12th century. Historical, entry about 30 BDT, best time: Winter
  • Ananda Vihara (আনন্দবিহার): Largest monument of the Mainamati complex in Kotbari, a late 7th-early 8th century Buddhist monastery built by Deva king Anandadeva, with the area's largest water tank. Historical, free entry, best time: Winter
  • Mainamati Museum (ময়নামতি জাদুঘর): Museum beside Shalban Vihara displaying finds from the Mainamati excavations. Museum, entry about 30 BDT
  • Shah Shuja Mosque (শাহ সুজা মসজিদ): Historic Mughal-era mosque at Mughaltuli in central Cumilla; its construction date and builder are disputed, as no inscription has been found. Religious, free entry
  • Mainamati War Cemetery (ময়নামতি ওয়ার সিমেট্রি): Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in the Comilla Cantonment area with 736 Second World War burials; entry is free. Historical, free entry
  • Itakhola Mura (ইটাখোলা মুড়া): Terraced Buddhist stupa complex with an attached monastery across the Kotbari road from Rupban Mura; its name comes from its later use as a brick quarry. Historical, free entry, best time: Winter
  • Lalmai Chandi Temple (Chandimura) (লালমাই চন্ডী মন্দির): Old Hindu temple on the summit of Lalmai hill in Barura upazila, dedicated to the goddess Chandi (Kali), with a Shiva temple nearby. Religious, free entry, best time: Winter
  • Dharmasagar Pond (ধর্মসাগর): Large pond dug in 1458 by Tripura king Dharma Manikya I in the centre of Cumilla, with a lakeside walk on the west bank, a park to the north and a Nazrul memorial nearby. Lake, free entry
  • Rupban Mura (রূপবান মুড়া): Excavated Buddhist site on a hillock in Kotbari with a semi-cruciform shrine, built in phases from about the 6th-7th to the 10th-11th century; a colossal stone Buddha was found here. Historical, free entry, best time: Winter

Where to stay in Comilla

  • Hotel Victory Abashik (MidRange), about ৳2,500 - ৳5,000/night. Downtown, AC rooms with breakfast and wifi
  • Hotel Elite Palace (Luxury), about ৳5,500 - ৳10,000/night. Upscale hotel with outdoor pool, restaurant and free parking
  • Q Palace Cumilla (MidRange), about ৳2,000 - ৳6,000/night. Small hotel with convention hall, free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning
  • Hotel Red Roof Inn (Budget), about ৳2,500 - ৳2,800/night. AC and non-AC rooms with free Wi-Fi
  • Nawab Palace Resort (Resort), about ৳6,000 - ৳16,600/night. 20-room resort inside Magic Paradise Park, close to Shalban Vihara
  • Oasis Hotel Cumilla (MidRange), about ৳3,000 - ৳7,000/night. 3-star hotel with restaurant and meeting hall near Tomsom Bridge

Travel advice for Comilla

  • Highway restaurants on the Dhaka road: Miami, Mayami and Mayami Resort along the Dhaka-Cumilla highway are decent and affordable stops; washroom cleanliness varies, so ask staff to clean first.
  • Mainamati Museum closes on Sunday: A tour operator notes the museum is closed Sundays; the Shalban Vihara site is listed as open 9am-5pm daily.
  • Visiting the Buddhist sites: Get the caretaker's permission before entering the main building at New Shalban Bihar and remove your shoes at the entrance.
  • Chicken chaap and buffet in town: PC Restora near Dharmasagar is known for chicken chaap, and Golden Spoon Buffet is on Kazi Zahirul Qayyum Road south of Dharmasagar.
  • Getting to Shalban Vihara: Hire a rental auto from Kandirpar to Kotbari across the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, then walk about 20 minutes. A car with driver is easier for the Mainamati sites.
  • Cumilla Roshmalai (Matri Bhandar): Cumilla's best-known sweet, soft chhana discs in thickened sweet milk, which has Bangladesh geographical-indication (GI) status. Matri Bhandar (362 A. K. Fazlul Haque Road, Manoharpur, founded 1930) is the best-known shop, with queues daily;

More places to explore in Bangladesh

JatraSathi is a free Bangladesh trip planner in English and Bangla. Prices are estimates; check before you travel.