Founded in the sixteenth century by the Vaishnava saint Ramakrishna Goswami, this extensive monastery served as an important pilgrimage seat in eastern Bengal. The compound combines Bengali jor-bangla rooflines with heavy arched masonry designed to withstand annual haor floods. Inside are shrines dedicated to Radha-Krishna, living quarters historically housing 120 ascetics, and antique brass chariots used during the Dol Purnima festival. Ask the resident caretaker for permission before examining the interior courtyard.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free entry, small donation customary; CNG auto-rickshaw from Habiganj roughly ৳250–350 each way
How to get to Bithangal Akhra
About 25 km north-west of Habiganj town in Baniachong upazila. A CNG auto-rickshaw reaches Baniachong bazaar in 40 minutes, followed by a 20-minute local auto or wet-season boat.
Habiganj town is about 147 km from Dhaka, around 4 hours by road. Every way to get there is in the Habiganj guide.
During monsoon months (July to September), the approach roads flood and the akhra must be reached by country boat from Baniachong.
More to see in Habiganj
Photo: Abdul Momin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Satchari National Park সাতছড়ি জাতীয় উদ্যান
A 243-hectare evergreen forest in Chunarughat with marked trails, canopy birds, and troops of hoolock gibbons.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳115 for adults; registered forest guide about ৳300–500 per walk
Photo: Sanjida Showmi Shithi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary রেমা-কালেঙ্গা বন্যপ্রাণী অভয়ারণ্য
A dense forest sanctuary along the Indian border, known as the second-largest natural forest reserve in Bangladesh.
- Best time
- November to March
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳30; eco-guide roughly ৳500; auto-rickshaw from Chunarughat about ৳600–800 return
Photo: ফজলুল জাহিদ পাভেল, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Shankarpasha Shahi Mosque শংকরপাশা শাহী জামে মসজিদ
A four-domed Sultanate brick mosque built around the turn of the sixteenth century, featuring ornate terracotta ornamentation.
- Best time
- October to March
- Give it
- About an hour
- Cost
- Free entry; auto-rickshaw from town roughly ৳80–120 each way