Karatoya River (also spelt
Korotoa River) , a small stream in
Rajshahi Division of
Bangladesh, was once a large and sacred river. A channel of it presently flows by the ancient ruins of
Mahasthangarh (or Pundranagara, ancient capital of
Pundravardhana) in
Bogra District. The
Karatoya mahatmya bears testimony to its past greatness. In the
Mahabharata it is mentioned that a visit to the Karatoya after three days’ fast produces the same merit as an aswamedha (horse killing) sacrifice. Another ancient city,
Sravasti, may have been located on the banks of the Karatoya, north of Mahasthangarh. However, there is a controversy about the possible location of Sravasti.