Thakurgaon (ঠাকুরগাঁও): travel guide

Far northwestern district bordering India, with Ramrai Dighi, Tonkonath Rajbari and the Gorakshanath Temple.

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

Things to do in Thakurgaon

  • Saguni and Thumnia Sal Forest: Patches of sal forest in Pirganj upazila, listed by Banglapedia among the district's places of interest. Nature, free entry, best time: November to February
  • Jagadal Zamindar Bari: Small, mostly ruined zamindar rajbari (probably mid-19th century) at Jagadal where the Nagar and Tirnai rivers meet; the last prince, Birendra Kumar, built a rich library that he donated in 1948. Historical, free entry, best time: October to March
  • Ramrai Dighi (Rani Sagar): Large ancient reservoir (about 50 acres) in Ranisankail upazila, listed by Banglapedia as heritage; the local portal says over 1,200 litchi trees were planted along its banks. Nature, free entry, best time: October to March
  • Raja Tonkonath Palace (Rajbari): Palace of the local ruler Raja Tonkonath on the bank of the Kulik river in Bachor union, Ranisankail upazila. Historical, free entry, best time: October to March
  • Nekmarad (Tomb of Nekmarad Pir) (নেকমরদ): Ancient locality about 8 km south of Ranisankail upazila headquarters, named for the saint Sayed Nasiruddin Shah Awlia (Nekmarad, "holy man"), who is buried here. Religious, free entry, best time: April (traditional Baishakh fair); October to March for comfortable weather
  • Gorakshanath Temple (Gorkoi) (গোরক্ষনাথ মন্দির): Nath-sect ashram at Gorkoi village with five temples and an ancient well, associated with the yogi Gorakshanath; it is listed by Banglapedia as heritage. Religious, free entry, best time: October to March
  • Korom Khan Gar (কোরমখান গড়): Roughly square earthen fort about one km on each side with moats and 20 ft earth walls, thought to date from the Sultanate or Mughal period. Historical, free entry, best time: October to March
  • Jamalpur Zamindar Bari Jame Mosque (জামালপুর জমিদারবাড়ি জামে মসজিদ): Late 19th-century zamindar mosque (begun 1867) with three domes and 28 decorated minarets, near the unfinished zamindar house. Religious, free entry, best time: October to March
  • Tamlai Dighi (তামলাই দিঘি): Large reservoir of about 120 bigha dug in three stages between 1746 and 1750, with four ghats, at Mallikpur in Pirganj upazila. Lake, free entry, best time: October to March
  • Bangla Garh (বাংলা গড়): Ancient earthen fort with rampart and deep moat in Ranisankail upazila; a paved road runs through it. Historical, free entry, best time: October to March
  • Mahalbari Mosque (মহালবাড়ি মসজিদ): Sultanate-era mosque at Maheshpur village, Ranisankail; an inscription dates it to 1505 CE under Sultan Hussain Shah. Historical, free entry, best time: October to March

Where to stay in Thakurgaon

  • District Sadar Dak Bungalow (Budget), about Check with hotel for current rates. Government dak bungalow in Thakurgaon town; confirm with the DC office whether ordinary visitors can stay
  • Hotel Shah Jalal (Budget), about Check with hotel for current rates. Motel-type hotel in Thakurgaon town (older directory listing, 2021)
  • Hotel Salam International (Budget), about Check with hotel for current rates. Hotel in Thakurgaon town (older directory listing, 2021)
  • Gupta Guest House (Budget), about Check with hotel for current rates. Guest house in Thakurgaon town (older directory listing, 2021)

Travel advice for Thakurgaon

  • Far north-west; Thakurgaon airport has no scheduled flights: Thakurgaon is about 467 km from Dhaka. Thakurgaon Airport has no scheduled passenger flights, so the nearest working airport is Saidpur. A Daily Star traveller arrived by overnight bus; by train, a traveller got off at Parbatipur station and continued 1-2 hours by local transport.
  • Pick the cool months: Average temperatures run from about 33.5 C at the hottest to about 10 C at the coldest, so winter mornings can be chilly. Nekmarad's traditional fair begins on the first day of Baishakh (mid-April).
  • Local rice snacks: Chira (flattened rice), mudi (puffed rice) and khaoi (popped rice) are traditional rice products of the district; local women historically pounded the rice by hand to make them.
  • Getting to the Ranisankail heritage sites: The palace of Raja Tonkonath, Ramrai Dighi and Nekmarad are in Ranisankail upazila. From the Ranisankail bus stand the Tonkonath palace is reached by van or motorcycle; Nekmarad is about 8 km south of the upazila headquarters.
  • Orange and malta from Pirganj and Ranisankail: Oranges and malta are grown commercially in Pirganj and Ranisankail upazilas and orchards can be visited; the district portal puts the orchards about 31 km from Thakurgaon 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.