CHAPAINAWABGANJ — The Chhota Sonamasjid, a stone mosque built during the sultanate era in Chapainawabganj, is drawing growing numbers of domestic and foreign visitors, residents said.
The centuries-old structure, intricately carved and steeped in history, stands as a witness to a celebrated past. Built during the sultanate period, the mosque has become the center of a wide tourism zone, with a name etched into history as a “jewel of sultanate architecture.” It has emerged as a potential pillar of Chapainawabganj’s economy. Residents are calling for a full “historical tourism corridor” to be developed around it. Nearby are the Darasbari Mosque, the Khania Dighi Mosque, the Tohakhana palace and other historical sites.
Ayesha Begum, who came from Manda upazila in Naogaon district to see the mosque, told Jago News: “I had wanted to see Chhota Sonamasjid for a long time but had never managed to. Today I came and saw it. I really liked it.”
Tarek Jamil Khan, visiting from Karachi, Pakistan, said: “I came to Bangladesh about 10 days ago. I have been staying in Rajshahi for four days. I had long wanted to see Sonamasjid. The Boro Sonamasjid is in India, so I did not get a chance. So I came to see Chhota Sonamasjid. I offered prayer here.”
He added: “The stone mosque may not be very large in size, but its artistic beauty caught my eye. I learned that the mosque, built lengthwise on a north-south axis, has 15 domes on its roof — three are in a ‘chauchala’ shape and the remaining 12 are hemispherical. There are four octagonal minarets at the four corners. I was enchanted by what I saw. After offering prayer, I felt peaceful. The walls are very thick, so the inside stays cool.”
Mahbub Haque, who came from Dhaka’s Mohammadpur with his wife, said: “In the evening I saw more than 200 worshippers offering prayer at the Chhota Sonamasjid. It was wonderful to see. The carvings and patterns etched on the mosque’s walls, doors and windows still catch the eye. It looks as though it was built with great care.”
The mosque has three mehrabs inside, the middle one comparatively larger and adorned with delicate stone carving. The intricate craftsmanship across the interior walls is a fine example of medieval Bangla art. Hundreds of visitors arrive every day from Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna and surrounding districts. Some come to learn the history, others to photograph it, and others to spend time amid the stone and natural quiet.
Sujal Ahmed, who came from Dhaka’s New Market area to visit a friend in Chapainawabganj, came to see the Chhota Sonamasjid in the afternoon. “We had only read about Chhota Sonamasjid in books. Today, being here in person, I felt as though I had touched history. It feels wonderful,” he said.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report