Bayezid Bostami Shrine
About Bayezid Bostami Shrine
The shrine is dedicated to Bayazid Bastami, a 9th-century Persian Sufi saint. He is buried in Bastam in Iran, and historians doubt he ever came to Bengal, so the hilltop tomb here is best understood as a memorial built around local tradition. That makes it no less loved: families, pilgrims and students climb the steps every day to pray, tie threads and make offerings.
Most visitors come for the pond at the foot of the hill. It is home to black softshell turtles, a species that has almost vanished from the wild and survives largely in temple and shrine ponds like this one. On a sunny day the turtles surface to bask and take food from the caretakers, and it is a remarkable thing to see so close.
Next to the pond stands a three-domed mosque from the Mughal period. The atmosphere is devotional rather than touristic, with a small bazaar of flowers, candles and sweets at the entrance. It sits in the Nasirabad area, so it pairs easily with the Chittagong War Cemetery on the same side of the city.
Evergreen Bangladesh Tours includes the shrine on private city tours of Chittagong, with a local guide to explain the customs and the turtles’ story.
Things to do
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See the softshell turtles
Watch the black softshell turtles surface in the pond, one of the last places where this species can still be seen.
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Climb to the shrine
Walk up the steps to the hilltop tomb and see how pilgrims pray and leave offerings.
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Visit the Mughal mosque
Look at the three-domed mosque beside the pond, still used for daily prayers.
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Browse the shrine bazaar
Small stalls at the entrance sell flowers, incense, candles and sweets for offerings.
Getting there
From central Chittagong: about 20 to 40 minutes by car or CNG auto-rickshaw to Nasirabad, depending on traffic.
From Dhaka: fly to Chittagong (under an hour) or take the train or road (about five to seven hours), then continue by car.
Where to stay
Stay in central Chittagong, where hotels around GEC Circle and Agrabad put the shrine within easy reach.
Tours that visit Bayezid Bostami Shrine
Short Tours
Chittagong Heritage & Local Life Tour
from $200 per person
Holiday Tours
Explore the Natural Beauty of Bangladesh
Price on request
Questions
Is Bayazid Bastami actually buried here?
No. He is buried in Bastam, Iran. The Chittagong tomb is a memorial linked to a local tradition that he visited the region.
What should I wear?
Cover shoulders and knees. Women should bring a scarf to cover their hair near the shrine. Shoes come off at the shrine.
Can I see the turtles all year?
Usually, yes. They are easiest to spot on warm, sunny days when they come up to bask and feed.
How long should I spend there?
About 45 minutes to an hour is enough for the pond, the mosque and the shrine.