Drive to Rangpur via Mahasthangarh & Paharpur Buddhist MonasterySep 25, 2009
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no matter when or where are arrived we had rock star status...
Young old walking cycling - they all came to see the tourists....
Kids all delighted to have their pictures taken
25-09-09
This morning we head northwards, our route taking us across the fields and through the villages to Mahasthangarh, the site of the oldest city in Bangladesh dating back to the 3rd century BC. The fortified city’s heyday was under the Buddhists whowere here until at least the 11th century AD but the small museum also contains some Hindu artefacts. We then continue onto Bangladesh’s foremost archaeological site, the Somapuri Vihara at Parharpur. Formerly the largest Buddhist monastery south of the Himalaya, this temple complex dates from the 8th century AD and covers an area of 27 acres. After touring the site we continue on to our night stop at Rangpur a major transit point in the north of the country.
26-09-09
Today we make an excursion to one of the most spectacular monuments in Bangladesh, the Kantanagar temple. Built of brick and terracotta every inch of the temple surface is beautifully embellished with exquisitely sculptured terracotta plaques representing flora, fauna, geometric motifs, mythological scenes and an astonishing array of contemporary social scenes and favourite pastimes. We also intend to explore some of the interesting old buildings and rajbaris in Dinajpur and Rangpur.
