Kusumba Mosque
কুসুম্বা মসজিদ
A black basalt mosque built in 1558 beside a huge old pond, known as the 'Black Pearl of Bengal' and once pictured on the 5-taka banknote.
Kusumba Mosque is in Manda town, Naogaon district, about 45 km from Rajshahi. It was built in 1558–1559 during the Afghan Sur dynasty's rule of Bengal. The whole mosque is built of grey-black basalt blocks, with six small domes. Inside, the carved stone mihrab and grapevine motifs are well preserved, and in the northwest corner there is a raised stone platform reserved for rulers. In front lies a large pond of about 26 acres (Kusumba Dighi), with wide open views. The mosque's image once appeared on Bangladesh's 5-taka banknote. You can hire a car from Rajshahi; the drive takes about an hour, and the visit pairs well with the artifacts at the Varendra Research Museum.
Opening hours
All day; visits suspended during services
Nearby sights
- Rajshahi Silk (Sopura Silk Mills)
- University of Rajshahi Campus
- Varendra Research Museum
- Shah Makhdum Ruposh Dargah
- Padma River Promenade
- Shaheed A.H.M. Qamaruzzaman Central Park & Zoo
- Puthia Temple Complex
- Uttara Ganabhaban