Behold golden heritage in Sonargaon

Looking for a day trip close to Dhaka? Sonargaon, the ancient capital of Bengal, offers an ideal escape from urban bustle. Rich in history, architecture, folk culture and natural beauty, Sonargaon can easily be explored in a single day-and visitors can even combine sightseeing with a picnic.

Folk Arts and Crafts Museum: A visit to Sonargaon should begin with the Bangladesh Folk Arts and Crafts Foundation, popularly known as the Sonargaon Museum. Established to preserve, revive and promote the folk culture and traditional crafts of Bengal, the museum is home to the nearly century-old Boro Sardar Bari, an impressive historic mansion whose entrance is marked by two distinctive horse sculptures.


The complex also features a library, documentation centre, canteen, seminar hall, Sonartori stage, gardens, a lake and scenic bridges. The Craft Village showcases traditional products made by skilled artisans, including bamboo and cane crafts, wood carvings, pottery, Jamdani, Nakshi Kantha, jute products, shell crafts, blacksmith work, conch crafts, silk and ektara. Visitors can purchase many of these traditional items.

The foundation was established on March 12, 1975, by artist Zainul Abedin. It was initially located in an old building in historic Panam City before being developed into a larger 150-bigha complex in 1981.

The museum is open daily from 9am to 4pm. Entry costs Tk50 for local visitors, Tk100 for foreign visitors and Tk30 for students. Separate admission is charged for Boro Sardar Bari-Tk100 for locals and Tk200 for foreign visitors.


The site also includes the old mint house, Poddar Bari and other historic structures. The Archaeology Department has undertaken efforts to develop Panam as a modern tourist destination. Entry is Tk15 for local visitors and Tk100 for foreign tourists.

Banglar Taj Mahal and Pyramid: Visitors can also travel to Perabo village in Jampur to see the locally built Banglar Taj Mahal and Pyramid, constructed by industrialist and filmmaker Ahsanullah Moni. Inspired by the Taj Mahal of Agra, the attraction draws visitors throughout the day. Entry is Tk150 per person.

It can be reached via Kanchpur and Barpa in Rupganj, or from Chittagong Road and Narayanganj by Badhan bus service.


Other attractions include Khasnagar Dighi, associated with Sonargaon's historic muslin tradition, and the Loknath Brahmachari Ashram in Bardi. The former residence and library of Jyoti Basu, the former chief minister of West Bengal, is also located nearby.

How to Get There: Sonargaon is about 26 kilometres east of Dhaka, accessible via the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway and Mograpara Chowrasta. From Gulistan, visitors can take Doel or Swadesh buses to Mograpara Chowrasta for around Tk70, then take a rickshaw to the museum for Tk20-30. CNG rides between major attractions generally cost around Tk150-200. Visitors are advised to agree on fares beforehand.

Where to Stay: As Sonargaon is close to Dhaka, most visitors return home the same day. Those wishing to stay overnight can consider Sonargaon Royal Resort, located near the museum at Khasnagar Dighi, though advance booking is recommended. Rest-house facilities are also available at MA Sattar Central Ganavidyalaya (BASE), while government guesthouse facilities exist for official visitors.