Religious Sites - Gain Insight into Bangladeshi Beliefs

The majority of the important religious sites in Bangladesh are related to Islam, the most widely practiced religion in the country with an estimated 88 percent of the population being Muslim. Other religions in Bangladesh include Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity, while minority groups practice forms of animism and follow tribal belief systems.


Visitors to Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, may want to include a visit to Baitul Mukarram, the national mosque of the country. This impressive structure can accommodate up to 30,000 worshippers at one time, and is often packed to beyond capacity, indicating the level of commitment of those who gather to worship at the mosque. The 16th century Bagha Mosque located southeast of Rajshahi is considered to be of great historical, religious and cultural value, even being depicted on the 50 Taka currency note of Bangladesh. Situated in Chittagong, the Baitul Falah mosque is the city’s largest and is the venue for the annual Muslim festivals of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, both of which draw crowds of more than 50,000 worshippers. Located just west of the historic Lalbagh Fort, the Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque was completed in 1705 and is considered to be of great historical and architectural value, as well as being a center for worship in the area. Other mosques that visitors to Bangladesh may want to visit include the Noyabaad Mosque on the banks of the Dhepa River in the village of Nayabad; the impressive Sixty Dome Mosque in Bagerhat, southern Bangladesh; and the superbly decorated Star Mosque in Dhaka.

The Dhakeshwari National Temple located in Dhaka is considered to be the most important place of worship for Hindus in Bangladesh and hosts Hindu festivals such as the annual Durga Puja – a major event on the Bengali Hindu calendar. In addition to the religious significance of the Dhakeshwari National Temple, its architecture and rich decoration make it a major attraction in the area. Other significant Hindu religious sites include the Adinath Temple on Moheshkhali Island near Cox's Bazar; the sacred site of Bhabanipur in Bogra District; Chandranath Temple near Sitakunda; the Kal Bhairab Temple in Medda; and the Puthia Temple Complex located to the east of the city of Rajshahi.