Pabna (পাবনা): travel guide

Riverside district on the Padma and Jamuna, home to the Jor Bangla Temple, Taras Rajbari and the Hardinge Bridge at Paksey.

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

Things to do in Pabna

Jor Bangla Mandir: A brick temple with a twin-pitched 'jor bangla' roof set on a low base, with a front verandah of two columns and three entrances; its walls once carried terracotta ornament. It lies in the Kalachand Para area, a little north-east of Pabna town. Religious, free entry, best time: October to March
Taras Rajbari: Two-storey ornate zamindar palace (Tarash Bhaban) beside Abdul Hamid Road in the heart of Pabna town. Historical, free entry, best time: October to March
Hardinge Bridge: Steel railway bridge over the Padma (lower Ganges) at Paksey between Paksey and Bheramara stations, named after Viceroy Lord Hardinge and opened on 4 March 1915. It is about 1.8 km long. Historical, free entry, best time: October to March
Gajnar Beel (গাজনার বিল): Wetland in Sujanagar upazila, known for boat gatherings in the rains. Lake, free entry, best time: Monsoon and post-monsoon
Satsang Ashram, Hemayetpur (সৎসঙ্গ আশ্রম, হেমায়েতপুর): Ashram and temple of Sri Sri Thakur Anukulchandra at Hemayetpur, the headquarters of the Satsang movement. Religious, free entry
Chatmohar Shahi Mosque (চাটমোহর শাহী মসজিদ): Brick mosque in Chatmohar Bazar, built in 1582 AD by Khan Muhammad bin Tuwi Khan Qaqshal according to its inscription; restored in the 1980s and now a protected monument. Historical, free entry
Azim Chowdhury Zamindar Bari, Sujanagar (সুজানগর আজিম চৌধুরী জমিদার বাড়ি): Ruins of a zamindar estate near Dulai Bazar in Sujanagar upazila, including the courtyard of the guest house in the palace complex. Historical, free entry
Suchitra Sen Memorial Museum (সুচিত্রা সেন স্মৃতি সংগ্রহশালা): Memorial collection to the film star Suchitra Sen in the Himsagar area of Gopalpur, Pabna. Museum, free entry
Ishwardi Railway Junction (ঈশ্বরদী রেল জংশন): One of the important railway junctions of North Bengal, at Ishwardi Bazar, about 26 km from Pabna town. Historical, free entry
Lalon Shah Bridge (লালন শাহ সেতু): Road bridge over the Padma at Paksey, beside the Hardinge Bridge, locally called Paksey Bridge; a popular spot for river sunsets. Historical, free entry, best time: October to March

Where to stay in Pabna

Ratnodweep Resort (Resort), about ৳4,060 - ৳11,120/night. 46-room resort with pool, sauna, gym and restaurants; calls itself Pabna's first five-star resort (official site)
Hotel Blue Castle International One (MidRange), about ৳9,400/night (Trip.com average 'from' price, USD78). Ishwardi hotel with a restaurant, gym and meeting room
Rupkotha Eco Resort (EcoCottage), about ৳8,300 - ৳10,100/night (Trip.com 'from' prices, USD69-84). Garden eco resort with cottages, ponds and a restaurant; opened 2020
Khairul International Hotel Pabna (MidRange), about ৳5,400/night (Trip.com average 'from' price, USD45). Two-star hotel in Ishwardi with a rooftop terrace and air-conditioned rooms

Travel advice for Pabna

Bus from Dhaka: Buses from Dhaka via Aricha to Pabna cost about Tk300-450.
Shitlai Palace access: Shitlai Palace in Pabna city may not be open to visitors, so confirm before going.
Pabnar Ghee (Pabna): Pabna's ghee (clarified butter) has a name across the country, summed up in the saying 'Padmar ilish, Pabnar ghee'. Prothom Alo credits the milk from Bera, Santhia, Faridpur, Atghoria and nearby Shahzadpur, which locals rate as the country's best.
Getting around Pabna district: Per the district portal, Ishwardi (Hardinge and Lalon Shah bridges) is 25-30 km from Pabna town, Sujanagar about 19 km and Chatmohar 34-35 km (1.5-2 hours by CNG). Jor Bangla Temple and the Suchitra Sen museum are a 10-20 minute rickshaw or CNG ride from town.

More places to explore in Bangladesh

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