Bordered by the Nabaganga, Kumar and Madhumati rivers, Magura is an agricultural delta district steeped in medieval and colonial history. Visitors head south-east to Mohammadpur to inspect the brick ruins and excavated dighis of Raja Sitaram Ray's fortified capital, or north along the Nabaganga to historic maths and artisan dairy villages. The town comes alive late in autumn when its week-long Katayani Puja draws crowds from across southern Bengal.
- From Dhaka
- About 165 km, 3.5 hours by road
- Best time
- November to March
- A day costs
- About ৳1,200 to ৳4,500 per person
- Nearest airport
- Jashore Airport (JSR)
What Magura is famous for
- Khamarpara dahi খামারপাড়ার দই
- Pera sandesh প্যারা সন্দেশ
- Khejur gur খেজুরের গুড়
How Magura got its name
The name Magura is said to come from magur, the walking catfish that once filled the regional wetlands and rivers. Another tradition derives it from Mag-Ghura, recalling an outpost where local river defenses turned back marauding Magh pirates along the Madhumati.
Places to visit in Magura
Photo: MD SADDAM AHMED, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Raja Sitaram Ray Palace রাজা সীতারাম রায়ের প্রাসাদ
The moated palace, kachari bari and temple ruins of early 18th-century ruler Raja Sitaram Ray beside the Madhumati in Mohammadpur.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Entry free; local bus from Magura town roughly ৳50–70 each way
Siddheswari Math সিদ্ধেশ্বরী মঠ
An ancient Kali temple and monastic ashram on the bank of the Nabaganga in Atharokhada, founded by regional sadhus centuries ago.
- Best time
- November to March
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Entry free; rickshaw from town centre roughly ৳30–40
Photo: Farabi Al Russell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Nabaganga Riverfront নবগঙ্গা নদীর ঘাট
The pleasant waterfront promenade and bathing ghats along the Nabaganga in Magura town, ideal for sunset boat rides.
- Best time
- October to March
- Give it
- About an hour
- Cost
- Free to visit; wooden boat hire roughly ৳100–150 for 30 minutes
Unseen Magura: the lesser-known places
Quieter spots most visitors miss. Go with a local driver or ask us to arrange one.
Kadirpara Zamindar Bari কাদিরপাড়া জমিদার বাড়ি
The quiet, weathered mansion and centuries-old Radhakanta temple of the Munshi zamindars in rural Sreepur.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Entry free; auto-rickshaw roughly ৳80–120 each way
Khamarpara Village খামারপাড়া
A quiet farming and dairy village in Sreepur where families have perfected the craft of boiling and fermenting thick curd in earthenware.
- Best time
- November to March
- Give it
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- No entry fee; transport about ৳60–80 each way; a clay pot of fresh dahi roughly ৳150–250
How to get to Magura
- Direct coaches including Golden Line, Hanif, Eagle and Shohagh leave Gabtoli, Sayedabad and Kalyanpur, reaching Magura via the Padma Bridge in roughly 3 to 4 hours.
- Fly to Jashore Airport from Dhaka, then take a hired car or bus north along the N7 highway to Magura town in about an hour.
Where to stay in Magura
Rooms run from about ৳600 a night for a simple hotel, around ৳1,500 mid-range and ৳3,000 or more for the most comfortable. Prices are approximate.
- Hotel Jamuna, Vainar More
- Hotel Mandal International, Dhaka Road
- Hotels around Vainar More and Dhaka Road in the district town
What to eat in Magura
Taste sweet, thick curd served in porous clay pots from Khamarpara, available at sweetshops around Vainar More. Pair it with soft pera sandesh and savoury duck curry served with steamed rice at roadside eateries along the highway.