Hoarshi Shahi Mosque(হোরশী শাহী মসজিদ) is actually known as Masjidpara Mosque(মসজিদপারা মসজিদ). But now a days no one knows this name anymore. Also, the local people pronounce Hoarshi as Horshi(হোরশী), more precisely Orshi(ওরশী), Hosshi(হসশি). People from this particular area pronounce Bengali words in different tone. They will find the bookish words from your mouth so much funny.
This mosque was built during 675-76AD, according to a Persian inscription that is affixed permanently over the central doorway. It was mainly a square shaped mosque having a single dome over the roof which covers almost the overall roof.
Department of Archaeology announced this as a protected monument of the country, but I believe its already too late. Its a small mosque. To accommodate more people inside the mosque premise, local people built an extension at the three sides of the mosque. The extension is having tin shade roof, and for that its pretty hard to locate the original mosque.
How to Go:
Hoarshi Shahi Mosque(হোরশী শাহী মসজিদ) is located at the village Hoarshi(হোরশী) which is around 5 kilometer North from the Pakundia Upozila(পাকুন্দিয়া উপজেলা). Communication between Hoarshi(হোরশী) and Pakundia(পাকুন্দিয়া) is not smooth. Below is the direction for locating the Hoarshi Shahi Mosque(হোরশী শাহী মসজিদ).
1) Come to the Shukhia(সুখিয়া) Bazaar using any Easy Bike from the Pakundia(পাকুন্দিয়া) town. It will cost you 15 taka and around 15 minutes. For your information, its on the Pakundia-Kishoreganj road.
2) Take any Rickshaw from the Shukhia(সুখিয়া) Bazaar to drop you at the Hoarshi(হোরশী) Bazaar. It will be around 30 taka rickshaw fare.
3) The mosque is located 100 meter north from the bazaar. Just have a walk to visit it.
GPS Coordinate of the Hoarshi Shai Mosque(হোরশী শাহী মসজিদ) is (24°21’46.27″N, 90°41’11.49″E).
In my case, few portion of the road between the Hoarshi(হোরশী) Bazaar and the Shukhia(সুখিয়া) was under construction. So I had to walk that portion. Also, while returning, I didn’t find any rickshaw or anything as the road was not in a condition to accept any kind of vehicles. So I walked. It was around 25-30 minutes of walking from the Hoarshi(হোরশী) to Shukhia(সুখিয়া). It was hot weather and I was sweating, but I have enjoyed the walking at the afternoon. Probably it was 5:20 at the day.
Hoarshi Shahi Mosque(হরশী শাহী মসজিদ),
a.k.a Masjidpara Mosque,
Pakundia, Kishoreganj District,
Bangladesh,
This article belongs to the blog:
http://icwow.blogspot.com/,
Historical Bangladesh
Reference:
[1] http://www.banglapedia.org/HT/M_0166.HTM
