Introduction
Shashi laj is the home of Maharaja Shashikanta Acharya, also known as the Rajbari of Mymensingh , located in the center of Mymensingh , Bangladesh. Shashi Lodge has been used as a female teacher training center since 1952. On April 4, 2015, the Department of Archeology of the Government of Bangladesh acquired the Shashi Lodge to set up the museum.
History
Raghunandan Acharya Chowdhury, the third descendant of Srikrishna Acharya Chowdhury, the founder of Muktagachha Zamindari, was childless. However, according to the organizational structure of the patriarchal society, a son capable of preserving property is desperately needed. So he decided to adopt a son. Raghunandan adopted Gaurikanta Acharya Chowdhury. Before his death, he handed over the zamindari to his adopted son.
Fate was not kind to zamindar Gaurikanta Acharya Chowdhury either. He also died prematurely without children. Gauri Kant’s widow Bimala Devi adopted Kashikant. Kashikant’s forehead was also very bad. He also passed away childless after suffering from a long illness. His widow Lakshmi Devi Acharya Chowdhurani followed in the footsteps of her predecessors and adopted Chandrakant. Chandrakanta also left the Maya of the world very quickly in opposition to fate. However, Lakshmi Devi did not give up. He was re-adopted. Purnachandra Majumdar is the first name of the second adopted son. In a grand procession in front of the Kulguru, Goddess Lakshmi gave a new name to her son - Suryakanta Acharya Chowdhury.
During the reign of Suryakanta Acharya Chowdhury, a golden dimension was added to the villages on the banks of the Brahmaputra. He did a lot of good deeds in the wide context of managing zamindari for about 41 years. He set up several aesthetic installations in Mymensingh. At the end of the nineteenth century, Suryakanta built a magnificent two-storey building on nine acres of land in the center of Mymensingh city. The building was named Shashi Lodge after Shashikanta Acharya Chowdhury, the adopted son of the childless Suryakanta. Suryakanta Acharya Chowdhury was deeply saddened when this famous building was destroyed by the Great Indian Earthquake on 12 June 1896. In 1905, Shashikanta Acharya Chowdhury, the next zamindar, built a new Shashi Lodge at the same place. In 1911 he completed some more renovations in the beautification of Shashi Lodge. Shashi Lodge became immaculate and beautiful due to the desperate efforts of the young zamindar.
Description
The whole house is established on 9 acres of land. The main house was built by Maharaja Suryakanta. His adopted son Shashikanta later rebuilt the palace as Suryakant’s palace was partially or completely destroyed in the earthquake. There are 16 domes at the main gate of Shashilaj. Inside, almost every room has several chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, almost identical in appearance. In addition to the general residence, the house has a dance hall and a bathroom. There is a tunnel in the bathroom. It is believed that there was an arrangement to go to Muktagachha through this tunnel. There is also a bathroom at the back of the main building. The back bathroom has two floors. The queen used to sit in this bathroom and watch the ducks play in the side pond. The ghat of the pond is paved with marble. There is a garden in front of the main building of Shashilaj. In the middle of that garden is a white stone fountain, in the middle of which stands the short-lived bathing marble statue of the Greek goddess Venus. Shashi Lodge, built of red brick and yellow walls, just behind the garden. Next to it is Padmabagan. The room on the east side of the building is now used as the office of the principal of the training center. [2] [3] [4] The restroom at one end of that lovely arena. Wooden floor hall after restroom. Next to the hall is another fountain made of colorful marble. Crystal clear glass chandeliers hanging from the roof just above the water fountain. Take a walk to the back of the building. The green grassland leaves a vast reservoir in that yard parole. Although there are two dilapidated ghats on the east and west sides of the reservoir, the beauty of the two-storied bathing ghat at the southern end is truly remarkable.
How to get there
From Dhaka, you can go to Mymensingh by taking ENA, Alam Asia, Shamim Enterprise, fancy or safe transport bus for Tk. 280. It takes two and a half to three hours to reach Mymensingh from Dhaka. You can get off at Masakanda bus stand and take an auto or rickshaw around Shashi Lodge. Rickshaws will cost 30-40 rupees.
If you want to travel to Mymensingh by train from Dhaka, Teesta Express (8:30 am), Mohanganj Express (01:15 pm), Jamuna Express (04:45 pm), Brahmaputra (06:15 pm) and Haor Express (which is your favorite train at 10:15 pm). You can go to Mymensingh. The rent varies from 120 to 261 rupees. It will take 3 to 4 hours to go. You can go to Shashi Lodge by renting a rickshaw from the railway station for 20-25 rupees.
Where to stay
You can choose the best hotel for you from different quality hotels in Mymensingh city. Moreover, you can rely on Amir International or Hotel Mustafiz in Mymensingh.
Where to eatI n Mymensingh, you can taste the rooster polao in the Press Club canteen. Besides, Hotel Dhansinri and Hotel Sarindar have a good reputation for good quality food.
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