After returning from the Baro Shibaloy temple, we have moved forward to visit the Vimer Panti(ভিমের পান্টি) which is located at the Mongolbari(মঙ্গলবাড়ী) union. To save money, we have used a local bus service to reach at Mongolbari(মঙ্গলবাড়ী). It was a very poor quality bus service. Every inches inside the bus was packed with human beings. It was hell lot of warm weather and most of the people were sweating. We had to digest that misfortune condition for 30 minutes or so.
After leaving the bus, we have hired a van to reach at the Vimer Panti(ভিমের পান্টি). On the bus, two local kids were with us. They have left the bus at the same stoppage as we did. They study at a residential Hafizia Madrasa(হাফিজিয়া মাদ্রাসা) at Kalai Upozila(কালাই উপজেলা) of Joypurhat(জয়পুরহাট). I found them were standing on a road side.
“We’ll go to visit the Bhimer Panti(ভিমের পান্টি), what is your destination?” I asked them friendlily. When I came to know that their destination is on our way of Bhimer Panti(ভিমের পান্টি), I have just picked them on our van. Later they have accompanied us until we have returned back from Bhimer Panti(ভিমের পান্টি). Those two boys were too polite and their innocent faces use to flash in my imagination whenever I think about this place.
About Vimer Panti(ভিমের পান্টি):
It was built more than thousand years(836-920AD) back during the regime of Narayan Paal Deba(নারায়ান পাল দেবা), the King of Paal(পাল) dynasty. This is mainly a black stone which is around 3.5 meter in height. It was much taller before and it had a statue of Gorur(গরুড়) at the top. Since it is at in an open place, the thunder had stricken this statue frequently. That’s why the statue is gone and also it’s size is decreased.
There is an inscription is written at the bottom portion of the Vimer Panti(ভিমের পান্টি). Initially I thought that it was totally impossible to find out the meaning of those writings. But later I found that its mainly a poem like thing that was written here to praise the King Narayan Paal Deba(নারায়ান পাল দেবা). Its mainly a 28 lines of poem that is written out there.
If you are interested about the translation(in Bengali) on the inscription at the Vimer Panti(ভিমের পান্টি), then the following link is for you: http://en.sacha…/48549.
A principal(at indigo house of East India Company) named Charles Wilkins has discovered this Bhimer Panti(ভিমের পান্টি) inside a jungle during 1780.
Fairytale about Vimer Panti(ভিমের পান্টি):
There is a fairytale available regarding this Vimer Panti(ভিমের পান্টি). Vim was one of the Pandavas(পান্ডব) who was mighty at battle. And in this locality the Panti(পান্টি) means the stick that the cowboys use to drive the cattle at the fields. People believe that the Panti(পান্টি) belongs to the Vim(ভিম) who used to work during the whole night and after his work he used to push the Panti(পান্টি) on ground.
How to Go:
Vimer Panti(ভিমের পান্টি) or the Statue of Gorur(গরুড়) is located at the Mongolbari(মঙ্গলবাড়ী) Union of Dhamoirhat Upozila(ধামুইরহাট উপজেলা) of Naogaon(নওগাঁ) District. But this place is very near from Joypurhat(জয়পুরহাট) district instead of Naogaon(নওগাঁ).
First you have to come at the Mongol Bari. A bus from Joypurhat(জয়পুরহাট) will take around 25-30 minutes to reach at Mongolbari(মঙ্গলবাড়ী). Bus fare is 15 taka per person. Unfortunately its a very slow bus and it takes hell lot of passengers that will make you suffocating.
On the other hand, if you start from Naogaon(নওগাঁ), that case you have to come near to Joypurhat(জয়পুরহাট), and from there you have to come at Mongolbariমঙ্গলবাড়ী) using the same low quality bus service. GPS coordinate of the Mongolbari(মঙ্গলবাড়ী) Bus stoppage is (25° 6’58.07″N, 88°56’17.44″E).
From mongol bari(মঙ্গল বাড়ী), we have hired a van for a round trip, plus the time for Vimer Panti(ভিমের পান্টি) sight seeing. It cost us 30 taka in total.
GPS Coordinate of Bhimer Panti(ভিমের পান্টি) is (25° 6’19.28″N, 88°56’4.42″E).
Vimer Panti or Gorur Statue,
Mongolbari, Dhamoirhat Upozila,
Naogaon District,
Bangladesh
