Tangail, Dhaka
A Mughal-era mosque from 1609 with rich terracotta decoration, beside the Louhajang river; it once appeared on the ten-taka note.
The Atia Mosque was built in 1609, early in the reign of the Mughal emperor Jahangir, by Sayeed Khan Panni, in honour of the Sufi saint Shah Kashmiri (Ali Shahan Shah Baba Kashmiri), whose shrine is nearby. The Panni family later became the zamindars of Karatia.
The mosque combines the Sultanate style of Bengal with Mughal touches: a square prayer hall under a large dome, a veranda in front, and walls covered with fine terracotta panels of floral and geometric patterns.
It has been repaired several times over the centuries but keeps its old character. It is one of Bangladesh’s best-known mosques, and its picture was printed on the ten-taka note.
Take a CNG from Tangail town and see the mosque and its terracotta work.
Visit the saint’s shrine close to the mosque.
Watch handlooms at work and buy a Tangail sari from the weavers’ shops.
Back in Tangail town, end with Porabari chamcham.
October to March; avoid prayer times, especially Friday midday.
In Atia village, Delduar upazila, a short drive south of Tangail town. Take a CNG or battery auto-rickshaw from the town; the ride takes around 30 minutes.
