Puthia has the highest concentration of historic Hindu temples in Bangladesh, built by the Puthia Raj family. The complex features the grand Pancharatna Govinda Temple covered in terracotta panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the towering Shiva Temple with mini spires, the Jagannath Temple, and the neoclassic Puthia Rajbari palace surrounded by moats.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free entry to temple exteriors; small fee for palace grounds; bus from Rajshahi about ৳40–50 each way
How to get to Puthia Temple Complex
Situated about 30 km east of Rajshahi city along the Natore highway. Local buses or CNG auto-rickshaws take 45 to 60 minutes from the city.
Rajshahi town is about 250 km from Dhaka, around 5.5 hours by road. Every way to get there is in the Rajshahi guide.
More to see in Rajshahi
Photo: Aashaa, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Varendra Research Museum বরেন্দ্র গবেষণা জাদুঘর
The country's oldest research museum, housing rare stone sculptures and artefacts from ancient Bengal and the Indus Valley.
- Best time
- Year-round
- Give it
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Admission ৳20 for Bangladeshis, ৳100 for SAARC citizens, ৳200 for other foreign visitors; rickshaw from Shaheb Bazar about ৳30
Photo: Porag61, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Bagha Mosque বাঘা মসজিদ
A ten-domed terracotta mosque built in 1523 by Sultan Nusrat Shah, famous for its detailed carved motifs.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free entry; direct bus from Rajshahi about ৳60–80 each way
Photo: Nur Asad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Bara Kuthi বড় কুঠি
The oldest standing colonial building in Rajshahi, built in the first half of the eighteenth century as a Dutch silk trading post.
- Best time
- Year-round
- Give it
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free to view from the outside; rickshaw in town about ৳30
Photo: Moheen Reeyad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Padma Riverfront পদ্মা নদীর পাড়
The wide riverside promenade along the Padma, popular for evening strolls, sunset boat rides, and street snacks.
- Best time
- October to March, especially late afternoon for sunsets
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free access to the promenade; country boat rides ৳200–500 per boat