Naogaon Correspondent
Kusumba Mosque, which is termed as the Black Gem of Bengal, is buzzing with holidaymakers in this Eid. A number of visitors are flocking there to enjoy Eid holidays.
The mosque is situated at the village Kusumba in Naogaon. Since the middle day of Eid, people started visiting the place and stay there up to night. The district administration has taken proper initiatives to ensure safe and smooth visit of the people.
Kusumba Mosque is named after the village Kusumba. It was built during the period of Afgan rule by a high-ranking official named Sulaiman. It was built under one of the last Suri rulers. This mosque has been placed in the country Taka Five note.
The mosque conforms to the typical oblong enclosed mosques in Bengal built during the early Islamic period. The interior of the prayer hall is divided into two bays and three aisles surrounded by 2.26 m thick wall. The mosque has access only from the eastern side by three pointed archways and the north and south sides have two arched openings. The Qibla wall contains three highly ornated mihrab niches. The walls are built of brick core with stone facing up to the bottom of the arches from within and the whole outside surface. Two freestanding stone pillars and eight partly concealed pilasters support the six domed roof. The mosque has only four octagonal turrets, one at each corner of the building. These turrets invariably form a part of the buildings, and are built either to reinforce the corners or merely as ornamental appendages.
It was constructed with a Bengal style. At the eastern central entrance, inscription mentioned the time period of construction of the mosque to 966 AH (1558-59 AD).
Stone, though scarce, was used in most of the finest monuments of Bengal. Only six stone mosques exist in greater Bengal that were built during the early Islamic or Sultanate period. Kusumba mosque is one of them. Stones of this mosque are dark black-basalt which was shipped from Rajmahal hill of Bihar.
How To Reach: Naogaon District
Buses can be used to get between major towns, or else rickshaws for small distances. There are two major Bus Stand/ Stop in Naogaon District. The First but small one is “Dhaka Bus Stand” , where usually you will get buses to go to Dhaka, Bogra, Sylhet and Chittagong mainly.
The other one is “Baludangga Bus Stand” situated almost at the end of the Naogaon Municipality. At “Baludangga” Bus Stand, you can get buses to travel to Paharpur, and other Sub-division of Naogaon District, such Sapahar, Nazipur, badalgachi etc.
The other most convenient options is the “Bangladesh Railway”, from “Santahar” Railway Station. You can find numerous trains from “Santahar” to various district in Northern & Southern Bangladesh. Using First class ticket is a very convenient way for foreign Tourists, to be safe and pleasant journey, and price is also very reasonable in fact Bangladesh Railway is cheap.
