Aokora Mosque : Location, History of nomenclature and architects Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aokora Mosque

Mosque in Dinajpur, Bangladesh

25°50′39″N 88°47′06″E / 25.84403°N 88.78513°E / 25.84403; 88.78513ArchitectureTypeMughal architectureFounderMirja Lal begDate established1766

Aokora Mosque (Bengali: আওকরা মসজিদ) is an ancient mosque located in Dinajpur, Bangladesh. The mosque was established in 1766 by Mirza Lal Beg.^[1]

Location

One of the old traditional buildings in Dinajpur is the 258-years-old Aokora Mosjid of Khansama Upazila. This traditional structure is located on the border of Pakerhat village of Angarpara union of the upazila on the banks of Belan river flowing in Bukchir of Hasimpur area at a place called Mirza Mat.^[2]

History of nomenclature and architects

There is a miraculous history behind its naming. There are many stories surrounding this ancient mosque. The word 'Aokora' means to speak. Legend has it that talking while walking past this mosque would echo.^[3] Hence the locals named the mosque 'Aokora' or the Talking Mosque.^[4] However, no one could say what the mosque was called when it was built.

There is a legend that once there was a Muslim settlement around the mosque. Mirza Lal Beg built the mosque in 1766 thinking of the devout Muslims.^[1] At that time religious rituals were performed here along with prayers. Its architectural style is interior contemporary craftsmanship.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b রানা, মাসুদ. "২৫৮ বছরেও ঠাঁই দাঁড়িয়ে দিনাজপুরের আওকরা মসজিদ". Daily Kalbela (in Bengali). Retrieved 2024-09-13.
^ ^a ^b "মোঘল আমলে নির্মিত গোয়ালডিহি ইউনিয়নের আওকরা মসজিদ". www.khansama.dinajpur.gov.bd. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
^ শাহী, শাহ আলম (2022-09-16). "ধ্বংসের দ্বারপ্রান্তে ঐতিহ্যবাহী আওকরা মসজিদ". Channel I (in Bengali). Retrieved 2024-09-13.
^ দিনাজপুর, জেলা প্রতিনিধি (2022-08-22). "সংস্কারের অভাবে হারিয়ে যাচ্ছে ২৫৪ বছরের পুরোনো মসজিদ". Dhaka Post (in Bengali). Retrieved 2024-09-13.