Tour the religious site of Shahi Jama-e-Masjid in Bangladesh

Chittagong is a vibrant and busy place – and so it should be. It is not only a port city but it is the second largest city in Bangladesh, so there is certainly no shortage of exciting things to see and experience in this bustling metropolis. Moreover, it is a very picturesque city, with the dusty colors of the buildings strongly contrasted by the deep blue waters of the Bay of Bengal and the bright green of the surrounding forests. Coconut groves and sandy beaches round up the visual feast and provide an interesting dimension to this colorful place. No doubt you will spend a day or two exploring the city and its various attractions.

If you do, you simply have to head off to the old city where you will see echoes of a time when European settlers were the driving force behind local developments. The Portuguese influence here is strong and easy to see and it is this strong cultural influence which can be easily noticed in the Shahi Jama-e-Masjid Mosque. This 17th century building is situated on a hilltop and it closely resembles an old fort. Sturdy walls seem imposing – as if to protect against invading armies – yet inside you will find that the mosque is clearly a place of worship. The decorations are sturdy yet intricate and the mixture of culture and religion is unmistakable.

The Shahi Jama-e-Masjid is well known for being one of the most impressive buildings in the city, so you likely won’t have any trouble finding it. Most people combine a visit to this mosque with a visit to the Qadam Mubarak Mosque found nearby. Both buildings are impressive and worth seeing. So if you are planning to visit Chittagong during your travels, make sure that you don’t miss out on this impressive religious attraction.

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