Sonamasjid, a 500-year-old mosque near the ancient city of Gaur, is drawing steady crowds of visitors who come to admire its carved stonework, layered domes and peaceful setting, and the site now shines as a clear example of how history, faith and nature can boost local tourism and community pride. The mosque was built during the rule of Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah (1493–1519) and an inscription credits Majlis Mansur Wali Muhammad bin Ali with its construction. Located in Pirojpur village under Shahbajpur Union of Shibganj upazila in Chapainawabganj district, the site sits about 85 kilometers from Rajshahi and 35 kilometers from Chapainawabganj town’s Bishwa road intersection, and it is easy to reach by bus, microbus or CNG auto-rickshaw. The building blends stone, brick and glazed terracotta and measures roughly 82 by 52.5 feet on the outside and 70 feet 4 inches by 40 feet 9 inches on the inside, with a height near 20 feet. Visitors often study the central prayer hall with its four intersecting domes, the six round domes along each side and three chauchala, or pyramid-shaped, domes in the middle that show fine rose-like carvings on their inner surfaces. Four corner towers rise from octagonal bases and carry ring-like decorations while the main facade has five doorways and each side wall has three, all bearing shallow but detailed ornamentation. A richly carved arched stone gateway leads into the complex and rows of ancient graves with stone borders add to the calm, historic feel. The mosque bears traces of its long life: it was badly damaged by the 1897 earthquake and later repaired in 1900 when some original stonework was replaced with brick. In the southeast corner of the complex lie the graves of two national heroes, Birshreshtha Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir and Shaheed Major Nazmul Haque Tulu, which draw respectful visitors. Tourists and local people praise Sonamasjid’s quiet beauty; one visitor said she had always wanted to see it in person and found the experience moving, while another offered prayers and enjoyed the peaceful grounds. Around Sonamasjid, a cluster of other medieval sites such as Darasbari Mosque and Madrasa, Khanjan Dighi Mosque, the Tahkhana Complex, Teen Gumbuj Masjid, the shrine of Shah Niamatullah and Dhaniyachak Mosque make the area rich for heritage tours. The mix of easy access, strong visual appeal and clear conservation needs makes Sonamasjid a living classroom for students of history and architecture, a calm stop for travellers and a chance for local businesses to welcome more guests in a way that shares pride in local culture. Local guides hope for more training, visitor centres and simple signs to help guests learn about the site while protecting fragile carvings and supporting village incomes and artisans.
