Panam Nagar (পানাম নগর) also known as Panam city located in Shonargaon, Narayangonj of Bangladesh. Panam Nagar is one of the oldest ancient & historical city in Bangladesh. This city was built at beginning of 19th century. It covered 20 km area of Sonargaon. Panam City is one of the most visited tourist spots in Bangladesh as it is nearby from capital Dhaka city. As the capital of the fifteenth-century Bengal ruler Isa Khan, and once an important trading and political center, Sonargaon boasts architecture of the Sultanate, Mughal, and colonial periods. Panam Nagar was established to facilize Hindu traders & for their living in the Shonargaon city. Shonargaon was trade center for cotton fabrics in that time & the Hindu traders used to live in the Panam Nagar to have effective trade.
Table of Contents
Things to enjoy in Panam Nagar:
There is total 52 ancient building in Panam City. The whole 52 building is located by 1 single road. The road 600 meter in length. Tourists can enjoy the abandoned city along with enjoying other historical places in Shonargaon. Check out the old buildings made with mix of European flavor & local tradition. The history of Panam Nagar (Panam City) is engraved by the main gate, have a look on this. Every building here have its unique design. The difference in design will surely amaze you. If you are a food lover don’t miss to have a cup of milk tea. You will find tea in front of the mosque gate at Panam Nagar.
Why Panam Nagar was abandoned
Now Panam Nagar is nothing more than empty township history. You may have a question in mind “Why Hindu Talukdar Traders left the city?” or “Why Panam Nagar is called as abandoned city?”. Here is the answers for you. Bengal was divided into two part at 1947 according to majority of religion. In Pakistan part majority citizen was Muslim & in Hindustan part majority was Hindu religious people. After 1947 there was several riots between Muslims & Hindu peoples. The Hindu traders left Panam Nagar during Indo-Pak war at 1965 making Panam City a vacant township. The initial plan of the traders was to return to the city after the situation calm once again, But they couldn’t due to circumstance. Later in 2006 Panam Nagar was announced as one of the “100 ruinous historical establishments” by World Monument Fund (WMF).
Present State of Panam Nagar:
Currently Panam Nagar is under control of Government. Government have announced Panam City as a protected heritage. Government freed up the heritage from unauthorize access at 2009. Department of Archeology have employees & officers are currently maintaining & protecting the city now.
Panam Nagar Opening hours:
Panam Nagar is open for tourists & visiting as per below schedule. Panam Nogor remains closed on all government holidays as well as during EID holidays. Sunday weekly Day off instead of Friday.
Panam City Visiting hours in Summer (April-September):
- Monday
- 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday
- 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday
- 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday
- 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Sunday
- Closed
Panam City Visiting hours in Winter (October-March):
- Monday
- 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday
- Closed
Ticket Price / entry fee at Panam Nagar:
Local Tourist & Visitors (Resident of Bangladesh): 15 Taka per person.
Foreign Tourist & Visitors (Non-Resident Bangladesh): 100 Taka per person.
How to go Panam Nagar:
Panam Nagar is 30 away from Dhaka. You can hire Taxi or Car for a round trip. Fare depends on negotiation. There are 2 bus services available from Gulistan, Dhaka. Bus services named as Sonargaon Express, Borak Paribahan. If you choose to go through bus, you have to leave the bus at Magrapara bus stoppage. From Magrapara take a rickshaw to reach Panam Nagar.
Gulistan, Dhaka > Borak Paribahan/Sonargaon Express > Magrapara Bus Stoppage > Rickshaw > Panam Nagar / Panam City / Sonargaon
Tips for Tourists / Visitors:
- Negotiate if you are hiring Car, CNG, Taxi for round trip towards Panam Nagar.
- Start early in the morning if you have plan to visit other tourist spots in Sonargaon & Narayagonj.
- Take great portraits at the historical places.
- Sonargaon Folk-Arts & Crafts foundation, Goaldi Masjid (Mosque), Boro Sardar Bari are nearby tourist attraction to visit.
- Flying drone inside the Panam Nagar is not allowed.
- Commercial shooting inside is prohibited. Take prior permission from authority for commercial shooting & flying drone.