Cumilla bridges the eastern plains of Bangladesh with the Tripura hills, anchored by the ancient Buddhist archaeological centres of the Mainamati and Lalmai ridges. For centuries it flourished as the capital of the Samatata and Deva kingdoms before becoming a major trading and handloom weaving centre under Mughal and British rule. Travellers arrive for 8th-century brick viharas, hand-spun khadi textiles, and its celebrated milk sweets.
- From Dhaka
- About 96 km, 2.5 hours by road
- Best time
- November to March
- A day costs
- About ৳1,300 to ৳5,800 per person
What Cumilla is famous for
- Matri Bhander rasmalai মাতৃভাণ্ডারের রসমালাই
- Khadi hand-spun cotton খাদি বা খদ্দর কাপড়
- Mainamati Buddhist ruins ময়নামতী ও শালবন বিহার
How Cumilla got its name
The name is commonly traced to Kamalanka, an ancient Buddhist kingdom mentioned in accounts by 7th-century Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang, or to the local deity Kamla.
Places to visit in Cumilla
Photo: Intakhab, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Shalban Vihara শালবন বিহার
An 8th-century Buddhist monastery built by the Deva dynasty in Mainamati, featuring 115 monastic cells around a cruciform shrine.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳30 for Bangladeshis, museum entry ৳10; CNG auto-rickshaw from town about ৳100–150 each way
Photo: Shariful Islam Masum, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Mainamati War Cemetery ময়নামতী ওয়ার সিমেট্রি
A Commonwealth war cemetery established after World War II, containing 713 military graves from the Burma and Assam campaigns.
- Best time
- November to March
- Give it
- About an hour
- Cost
- Entry free; CNG from Kandirpar roughly ৳80–120
Photo: Ferdous, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Dharmasagar Dighi ধর্মসাগর দিঘী
A historic 15th-century royal water reservoir excavated in 1458 by King Dharma Manikya of Tripura in the centre of Cumilla town.
- Best time
- October to March
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Entry free; cycle rickshaw from central town about ৳20–30; paddle boat ride roughly ৳100 per hour
Unseen Cumilla: the lesser-known places
Quieter spots most visitors miss. Go with a local driver or ask us to arrange one.
Photo: Kamrul Hasan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Itakhola Mura ইটাখোলা মুড়া
An excavated 8th-century Buddhist monastery and stupa complex set on a quiet forested hillock on the Mainamati ridge.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳20; CNG from Cumilla town about ৳100 each way
How to get to Cumilla
- Direct AC and non-AC coaches including Asia AirCon, Tisha Plus, Prime and Royal Coach depart Sayedabad and Kamalapur throughout the day via the Dhaka–Chattogram highway, reaching Shashongachha or Paduar Bazar in Cumilla in 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Several intercity trains running east from Kamalapur station stop at Cumilla, including the Mahanagar Prabhati, Mahanagar Godhuli, Turna Nishitha, Chattala Express and Upakul Express, taking about 2 to 2.5 hours.
Where to stay in Cumilla
Rooms run from about ৳800 a night for a simple hotel, around ৳2,500 mid-range and ৳5,500 or more for the most comfortable. Prices are approximate.
- Hotel Nurjahan Grand, Paduar Bazar
- Hotel Red Roof Inn, Racecourse
- Hotels and guesthouses around Kandirpar and Station Road
What to eat in Cumilla
Taste rasmalai from the original Matri Bhander at Manoharpur in Kandirpar: small, tender curd balls steeped in thick, caramelized cardamom milk. Also browse local sweetshops for freshly fried jilapi, sweet curd, and spicy kachuri.