Dinajpur, Rangpur

Ramsagar

A huge eighteenth-century tank dug by Raja Ramnath, now the heart of a shady national park just south of Dinajpur town.

Local food to try

  • Picnic food

    Ramsagar

    Many families bring their own; there are also simple snack stalls near the gate.

  • Lychees in season

    Ramsagar

    In late May and June, buy fresh lychees on the road back to town.

Where to eat

Where to stay

History

Ramsagar was dug in the mid-eighteenth century on the orders of Raja Ramnath of Dinajpur, the same raja who completed the Kantajew Temple. Tradition says it was made to bring water to the area in a time of drought. It is often called the largest man-made tank in Bangladesh — a long rectangle of still water nearly a kilometre in length, with the remains of a brick ghat on its western bank.

The banks and the land around were made into the Ramsagar National Park in 2001. Today it is Dinajpur’s favourite outing: tree-lined walks along the water, a small deer enclosure and picnic spots.

Tour plans

A morning at Ramsagar

3–4 hours
  1. Step 1: Early start

    Take an auto-rickshaw south from town while it is cool.

  2. Step 2: Walk the banks

    Follow the tree-lined path along the water to the old ghat.

  3. Step 3: Rest and tea

    Sit by the water, then have tea near the gate.

  4. Step 4: Back to Dinajpur

    Return for lunch, or continue to the Rajbari.

Plan your visit

Best time to visit

October to March; early morning or late afternoon, and weekdays for quiet

How to get there

About 8 km south of Dinajpur town: 20–30 minutes by battery auto-rickshaw or CNG.

Getting around

The park is best explored on foot along the banks; allow one to two hours.

Travel tips

  • There is an entry ticket at the park gate; check current charges and hours locally.
  • Holidays and winter picnic season bring big crowds.
  • Do not swim in the tank, and keep litter out of the water.
  • Walk the full length of the bank for the best views.
  • Carry water and wear comfortable shoes.

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