Ancient Lalmonirhat mosque awaits necessary renovation

The centuries-old Nidaria Mosque, built in the Mughal architectural style, remains deprived of necessary renovation and preservation measures despite its deteriorating condition in the Nayarhat area of Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila.

According to locals, the three-domed mosque was built in 1176 Hijri by a subedar named Manshur Khan, for personal interest, although documentary evidence regarding the information is limited.

Despite the mosque being listed as an antiquity by the Department of Archaeology, it is suffering from structural damage, including cracks in the roof and weakened walls. Besides, land encroachment has further complicated the situation.

The single-storey structure measures around 42 feet in length and 16 feet in width, with three domes, corner pillars, a main entrance and adjoining rooms believed to have been used by the imam. An Eidgah lies in front of the mosque, while a graveyard is situated nearby. A Hafiziya madrasah was also established on the premises in 2019.

According to residents, the mosque area spans 10 acres of land, although a part of the land remains under dispute, with a case still pending. 

Income from the land is used to organise annual religious events such as waz-mahfil.

Mokhtar Ali, a local resident, said the mosque is at risk due to natural decay and lack of maintenance.  Khyber Ali, another resident, said the Department of Archaeology declared the mosque an antiquity in 1994, but no visible development work has taken place since.

Deputy Commissioner HM Raqib Haider said the mosque is under the Department of Archaeology and assured that necessary steps would be taken soon to renovate the structure and address existing issues.

Proper preservation and removal of encroachment could turn the Nidaria mosque into a significant historical tourist attraction in the northern region, according to locals.