Loading...Murapara is a historic village and union under Rupganj Upazila of Narayanganj district. The estate’s name comes from this very village, situated beside the Shitalakkhya River. In 1889, Ram Ratan Banerjee, a businessman from Tantibazar in Old Dhaka, established the zamindari here. It was his son, Bijoy Chandra Banerjee, who expanded it further after inheriting the estate in 1899. Bijoy had two sons—Jagadish and Ashutosh. The elder son, Jagadish Banerjee, later took over the estate, which remained within three generations of the family.
Another version claims that Ram Ratan Banerjee was a loyal employee of the Raja of Natore, and as a reward for his honesty, was granted land in Murapara. In 1909, Jagadish Chandra Banerjee completed the construction of the main estate. He earned a reputation as a powerful zamindar in the area. During the 1947 Partition, Jagadish migrated to Kolkata, leaving the estate abandoned. In 1948, the Pakistani government took over and turned the estate into a hospital and a juvenile correctional center. By 1966, it was used for school and college activities. After Bangladesh’s independence, the Department of Archaeology took over in 1986 and declared it a protected site. Today, it operates as Murapara University College.
Spanning 17.5 acres, the estate sits along the banks of the Shitalakkhya River—then a vital waterway, likely influencing its riverfront location. At its center lies a grand two-story mansion running north to south. After entering through the main gate, visitors will find an open courtyard, two temple rooms on the left, and a large mango orchard behind them. Beyond this lies a pond with four stone ghats and a grassy field beyond it. Behind the main building is a tiled courtyard, enclosed by two-story structures. One northern wing houses the family temple, with another building situated further behind.
The estate has 95 rooms, including dance halls, stables, temples, storage rooms, and administrative quarters. A special feature of the front pond is its connection to the Shitalakkhya River through an underground channel, which regulates its water levels.
This is a perfect spot for a day trip or picnic. You can visit Panam Nagar in the morning and then come here, or head directly to the estate. Get off at Kanchpur and take a baby taxi to the main gate. The Shitalakkhya flows nearby, and if you wish, you can cool off in the river or one of the two ponds on the estate. Weekends or holidays are best to avoid disrupting college activities. You can eat at nearby Murapara Bazaar and play on the college’s vast green field.
How to Get There
Route 1: From Saidabad, Gulistan, or Jatrabari in Dhaka, take any Meghla, Glory, Asian, or Narsingdi-Bhairab-bound bus. Get off at either Rupshi Bus Stand or Bhulta. From there, take a rickshaw or CNG auto to the estate. You can also reach it via Demra Ghat and cross the Shitalakkhya River by boat from Majhina Ghat.
Route 2: From under the Kuril Flyover, take a shared private car for around BDT 60 to Kanchan Bridge. Walk a short distance to get a CNG ride (around BDT 40) to the Rupganj Shitalakkhya Ferry Ghat. Cross the river by ferry (free of cost), then take a rickshaw or auto (BDT 5–15) to the estate.
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