Nidariya Mosque

Nidariya Mosque is a 300-year-old medieval Muslim architectural structure in Panchgram Union, Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila. Subedar Mansur Kha built this mosque in 1176 AH, under the direction of Mughal Subedar Masud Khan and his son Mansoor Khan, according to an inscription in Persian from the Nidariya Mosque. The name of the mosque has an interesting backstory. Subedar Mansur Kha, the mosque's constructor, is said to have no beard. He vowed to Allah that if he grew a beard, he would construct a mosque. Later his prayer got accepted and he erected the mosque as promised. Hence, the name “Nidariya” was chosen for it, which means beardless in Persian.

The Nidariya Mosque is one of the ancient monument and Bangladesh's earliest mosques, found in the Rangpur Division. It is originally located in Kishamat Nagarband Mauza of Panchagram Union of Sadar Upazila of Lalmonirhat District and is an ancient archaeological site listed by the Directorate of Archeology of Bangladesh. In terms of construction, the mosque is of very good grade. The mosque is distinguished by its thick walls, towering domes, and gorgeous interiors. The mosque has only one room. It has three domes on top, four pillars at each corner, and a front door. There is a big Eidgah Maidan in front of the mosque, as well as a burial on the left side. Essentially no one knows for certain, many people believe that the burial is that of the mosque's founder. This mosque sits on 10 acres of property dating back to the 16th century since Subedar Mansoor Khan then donated an additional 10.56 acres of land for the mosque.

. However, portions of the mosque's lands have been taken away. The Mughal influence is especially visible in this mosque made of bricks, and lime. Nidariya Mosque has a length of 42 feet and a width of 16 feet. The mosque's roof features three domes in a row and four towers designed in four corners. The mosque's primary construction is enhanced by the combination of three gateways and twelve minarets. In addition, there is a two-story home and a big Eidgah area in front of the mosque. In this field, Eid prayers and other Islamic festivities are held.

This ancient mosque is the second oldest mosque in the southern part of the country. Local Muslims offer regular prayers at the 3-domed Nidariya Mosque.

How to go & where to stay

From Gabtali and Kalyanpur of Dhaka there are numerous AC/Non-AC buses. One can also start the journey from Kamalapur railway station. From Lalmonirhat, he/she can take CNG or auto rickshaw to go Barabari and proceed south for 2 km from Rangpur-Kurigram road to reach Nidariya Mosque.

If you want to stay, there are hotels of modest quality in the Lalmonirhat district.

Food Facilities

Barabari in Panchagram features standard food businesses. In Lalmonirhat city, the hotels serve Bengali, Chinese, as well as fast food.