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Great Personalities of Bangladesh

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Bangladesh

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Travel In Bangladesh

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Hill Tracts of Bangladesh

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.: Rangamati
The lake district


The picturesque headquarters of Rangamati Hill District, known for its rare scenic beauty and unspoiled tribal life, is just 77 km from Chittagong by road. It is perched on the banks of 680 sq. km man-made Kaptai Lake. The town ship is located on the western banks of Kaptai Lake.

Rangamati is a favourite resort because of its beautiful landscape, sweet water lake, colourful bribes, tribal museum, hanging bridge, homespun textile products, ivory jewellery and the tribal men and women who fashion them. For tourists the attraction of Rangamati are numerous tribal life fishing, hiking, bathing or merely enjoying nature as it is Rangamati is connected with Chittagong by high standard road network. Different ethnic groups inhabited in the forest created the harmony of the nature.

View of lake in Rangamati

View of lake in Rangamati

Hills and Lake in Rangamati

Hills and Lake in Rangamati

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation provides good hotel and cottage accommodation, auditorium and meeting room for corporate events, catering, speed boat and other facilities at Rangamati.

.: Khagrachari
The hilltop town


Khagrachari is the district headquarters of Khagrachari hill district. Connected to Chittagong by a 92 km all-weather metalled road, Khagrachari is ringed by thick rain forests that shelter a wide variety of birds and animals. Here you can visit the tribal lifestyle of Chakmas’ in Khagrachari. You can also visit Alutila hill. Approximately 100 meters long a very dark Cave is the mysterious beauty of Alutila hill. For people seeking nature in a restful mood, Khagrachari is the place.

Khagrachari Khagrachari

.: Bandarban
The roof of Bangladesh


Bandarban is definitely one of the more beautiful places to visit in Bangladesh. The best time to visit the area is during the winter, and it is definitely the season now. Bandarban is a mountainous area and the hills are quite steep. Bandarban town is a small place, but does have its own accommodation as well as shops. The resort at Bandarban is simply wonderfully maintained and is really affordable. The resort is situated on a hilltop and has a spectacular view. For the more adventurous traveller, leaving the resort for Ruma Bazaar by a Chaader Gari (Moon car) may be a better idea.

Hilly view at Bandarban Hilly view at Bandarban

From Ruma Bazaar taking a boat ride along the Sangu River can be an amazing experience. One can end up at the small tribal village of Ruma, where there is only one boarding made up of thatch. Getting to the picturesque Boga Lake from there is fairly easy, but it is also a 3-hour hike. The views from all the hilltops and plateau's are simply stunning and definitely worth visiting.

How to Get There:

Take a bus to Chittagong from Dhaka. From Chittagong there are direct buses to Bandarban. The journey from Chittagong to Bandarban is quite an adventurous one and the roads are really twisted.


.: Sylhet
The region of tea gardens


Sylhet is in the north-eastern part of the country, located in a gentle sloping upland valley between the Khasia, Jaintia and Tripura hills, bordering on Assam. Gentle slopes, rich light soil, a congenial climate and abundant rainfall have made Sylhet one of the largest tea-producing areas in the world. These conditions have also provided rich tropical forests where big game - tiger, panther and wild boar - abound. Tribal life is strong and folk dancing, like the famous Manipuri dance, is still performed by the local tribes.

Tea Garden in Sylhet

Tea Garden in Sylhet

Hilly Tea Garden in Sylhet

Hilly Tea Garden

Sylhet city has a strong British influence as almost 90% of Bangladeshi expatriate in the UK come from this region. There are plenty of high class hotels, restaurants and shopping complexes in the city. Most part of Sylhet and rural Sylhet are connected by high speed cable telephone with Dhaka and abroad. A visit by any British foreign office minister to Bangladesh naturally includes a visit to Sylhet. Cyber cafe, satellite TV channel, and electronics markets are common feature in the city. You will never feel out of touch from rest of the world. Sylhet is connected with by rail, road and by air.

If you feel like coming out of the city and go around you will see the picturesque Surma valley amidst scenic tea plantations and lush green tropical forests, it is a prime attraction for all tourists. Its terraced tea gardens, eye soothing orange groves and pineapple plantations and hills covered with tropical forests from a beautiful landscape. The Sylhet valley has a good number of haors, which are big natural wetlands. During winter these haors are vast stretches of green land. But in the rainy season they turn into turbulent seas. These haors provide sanctuary to the millions of migratory birds that fly from Siberia across the Himalayas to avoid the severe cold. Srimangal in Sylhet, known as the tea capital of Bangladesh, is the main tea centre of the area. For miles and miles around, the visitor can see the tea gardens spread like green carpet over the plain land or on the slopping hills. A visit to the tea plantation in Sylhet is a memorial experience. Sylhet, the granary of Bangladesh, not only has over 150 gardens but also proudly possesses the three largest tea gardens in the world both in area and production. A stay in one of the rest houses of the tea gardens is a fascinating one.

Sylhet is also known as the land of the famous Muslim saint Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA), the great torch bearer of Islam to this region. The shrine of this great saint is located at Sylhet town. Another famous shrine of this town is the shrine of Hazrat Shah Paran (RA). Colourful Monipuri, Khasia and Garo tribes live in Sylhet. Monipur tribal maidens are famous for their dance. Sylhet is also well known for its wide variety of exquisite handicrafts of cane and bamboo. Sylhet is linked with Dhaka by rail, road and air. About 3 km. from Dakhinbagh railway station there is the famous waterfall of Madhabkunda. It attracts number of tourists every year. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation offers restaurant, retiring room, picnic and parking facilities for the visitors there.

Tamabil - Jaflong

Situated amidst splendid panorama, Tamabil is a border outpost on Sylhet - Shilong road, about 55 km. Away from Sylhet town. Besides enchanting views of the area one can also have a glimpse of the waterfall across the border from Tamabil. Jaflong is also a scenic spot nearby amidst tea gardens and rare beauty of rolling stones from hills. Other places of tourist attraction in Sylhet include Moulavibazar, Jaintiapur and Haripur gas field.

.: Mymensingh
The birthplace of Shilpacharjya Zainul Abedin


The greater Mymensingh district stretches from the plains north of Dhaka to the Garo foothills that edge the northern border with India. There are many aboriginal tribes along the northern frontier of the district such as Garos, Hajongs and Kochis who are ethnically quiet distinct from the people around them.

Garo Women

Garo Women

Village Life

Village Life

Santhal

Santhal

Mymensingh has earned an important position in Bangla literature for its rich folklores and folk songs. On the road from Dhaka to Mymensingh there is a national park and game sanctuary at Madhupur about 160 km from Dhaka. There are a number of reserve forests in the area with rest-houses and picnic spots. The famous painter Zainul Abedin’s Art Gallery at Mymensingh town is worth visitor. Mymensingh also carries the boyhood memories of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.


.: Foy's Lake
Lake with wonderful scenery


Foy's Lake, an artificial lake constructed by the Assam-Bengal railway in 1924 near Khulshi not far from the Pahartali Railway Station in Chittagong. This lake is fairly big in size and was created by erecting an embankment across a narrow valley from one hill top to the other. Geologically, these hills are composed of dupi tila formation. There is another artificial lake close to the south of the Pahartali Railway Station, which was excavated by the same railway authority in 1920.

Scenic view of Foy's Lake

Scenic view of Foy's Lake

Boat Riding on Foy's Lake

Boat Riding on Foy's Lake

Both the lakes are tourist spots of Chittagong city and are regularly visited by local and foreign tourists. In order to attract more tourists, a mini-zoo has been set up at the entrance of the Foy's Lake. Both the lakes are intended to serve as reservoirs for drinking water to the extensive railway areas of Chittagong.

.: Ramu
The great ancient evidence of King Ashok


Ramu is a typical Buddhist village, about 10 km from Cox's Bazar, on the main road to Chittagong. The village has a number of colourful pagodas and Khyangs and monasteries where one can see icons and statues of Buddha in gold, bronze and other metals inlaid with precious stones. One of these pagodas on the Baghkhali River houses a 13 feet tall bronze status of Buddha that rests a six feet high pedestal. The pagoda also contains some interesting relics and rare Burmese handicraft.

Rubber Garden in Ramu

Rubber Garden in Ramu

Ramkut Temple

Ramkut Temple

Weavers ply their trade in open workshops and craftsmen make handmade cigars in their pagoda like houses.

Ramu, is still virtually standing very old and beautiful Ramkut temple as a great ancient evidence of the King Ashok. And this temple was established in all likelihood in 308 before Christ.

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Sea Beaches of Bangladesh

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.: Cox's Bazar
The longest unbroken sea beach in the world


Cox’s Bazar perhaps the most attractive tourist spot in the country. The World’s longest unbroken beach slops down gently to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal. The small town of Cox’s Bazar was named after Lt Cox who gave shelter to the Maghs people fleeing Burmese army in the late 18th century. Today Cox’s Bazar is a vibrant town with modern buildings and hotels and is the number one tourist destination for Bangladeshis and foreigners alike.

Bay of Bengal - the Scenic Beach at Cox's Bazar

Bay of Bengal - the Scenic Beach at Cox's Bazar

When you are in Cox’s Bazar, you may want to wake up early in the morning and go to the beach and to view the sunshine. A walk down in the beach in the morning itself is quite a bit of an experience. Some people prefer to drive along the beach further to the south and can see how the locals make their living from the sea. While staying in hotel in Cox’s Bazar town a day trip to the broken hills of Himchhari, to the rubber gardens of Ramu or even to the sandy coconut island St Martin is worth making.

The beauty of the setting-sun behind the waves of the sea is simply captivating. Locally made cigars and handloom products of the tribal Rakhyne families are good buys.

Getting There

Cox’s Bazar is around 400 km from Dhaka and 150 km from the port city of Chittagong. Regular coach services run from Dhaka and Chittagong. There are 2-3 flights from Dhaka and Chittagong to Cox’s Bazar operated by Biman with reasonable cost. Travelling by coach remains a better option with fraction of the price though.

Broken Hills and Waterfalls of Himchhari

Himchhari, located 18 km south of Cox's Bazar along the sea beach, is a nice place for picnic and film shooting. The broken hills and waterfalls here are unique spots.

.: Inani Beach
The fine golden sandy beach


The beautiful Inani beach is in Ukhia Thana and 32 km to the south of Cox’s Bazar. Inani beach with the sea to the west and background of steep green hills to the east is just half an hour buy bus from Cox’s Bazar. It is famous for the rock and coral boulders.

Inani Beach Bangladesh Inani Beach

.: Sonadia Island
The sandy and the beds of oysters


Sonadia with an area of 9 sq km is a crescent shaped island to the north-west of Cox's Bazar and 7 km into the sea. Its western coast is sandy and is rich in different kinds of shells. Every winter thousands of fishermen camp here and make large hauls. The island is a centre of the dry fish industry. Another attraction of the island is the sight of game birds migrating here in great numbers during the winter season.



: St. Martin Island
The tropical unspoiled paradise of great scenic beauty


The small coral island is about 10 km south west of Teknaf, the southern tip of Bangladesh is beautiful tropical island beaches fringed with coconut plants and almost unspoilt marine life. If one is looking for serenity St Martin is definitely the place to be. It is quite possible to walk around the entire island in a day. Going for hiking around the island can definitely be an adventure. Most of the island’s 5000-odds inhabitants live mainly from fishing.

Bangladesh Sea Beach at St. Martin Island

St. Martin Island - Bangladesh

Bangladesh unspoiled paradise St. Martin Island

There's nothing more strenuous to do here than soak up the sun and drink green coconut water, but it's a clean and peaceful place without even a mosquito to disrupt your serenity.

Getting there

Getting to the island from Dhaka is quite a bit journey. Firstly one has to travel to Cox’s Bazar either from Dhaka or Chittagong. From Cox’s Bazar catch a bus to Teknaf. From Teknaf passenger ferries run daily in the morning and it takes about 3 hours to get to the island. It is difficult to go and come back to the mainland in one day, so plan to stay at least one night in islands only 8-room hotel or in the humble guest room of a retired school teacher.

.: Patenga Beach
The meeting place of the Bay of Bengal and the river Karnaphuli


Patenga beach at Chittagong is one of the most popular beaches of Bangladesh, stretching for miles near at the meeting place of the Bay of Bengal and the river Karnaphuli. Nature lovers come around here to enjoy the scenic sunrise and sunset.

Patenga Beach

Patenga Beach

Sunset at Patenga Beach

Sunset at Patenga Beach

Patenga is about 22 km. from Chittagong. On the way to the beach, one passes Shah Amanat Intl’ Airport. Another ideal picnic spot is the Fouzdarhat sea beach about 16 km. from Chittagong. Patenga sea beach is one of the major attractions of Chittagong for the tourists. Besides the sea beach, you can enjoy boating and river cruise in the river Karnaphuli. You can see the busy seaport activities here.


.: Kuakata
View both sunset and sunrise


Kuakata is one of the best examples of untouched natural beauty in Bangladesh. The sea-beach resort is increasingly becoming famous amongst people in Bangladesh. However, with better infrastructure in the future there would definitely be a great increase in tourism in the area. The beach has a unique beauty to offer to its spectators, the rare full view of the rising and setting of the sun in the sea viewed from a single beach. The long and wide beach at Kuakata has a typical natural setting.

View of Kuakata

View of Kuakata

Sunset at Kuakata

Sunset at Kuakata

Kuakata is also a sanctuary for thousands of migratory birds and this adds to the beauty of the truly beautiful beach. Lazing off at the beach can definitely be a great pastime, with only the sound of the ocean to disturb you. The beach is said to be safe for visitors both at night and during the day. However, the whole sea-faring village seems to sleep at around 10 at night, so the place goes quiet pretty early.

Kuakata is the haven for the traveller who intends to spend his/her holiday in solitude. If one is with a newly-wed or partner, this can definitely be a nice place to get to know each other better. Travelling in a group is definitely a bash in Kuakata.

Accommodations are quite good, but the Parjatan at Kuakata is the safest and cosiest place. There are a number of other hotels around the badh (dam), and asking a rickshaw-van driver to take you there would be the wisest.

Getting there

There are direct buses to Kuakata, which leave from Gulistan at 05:00H everyday. Alternatively travel to Patuakhali by launch and then take a bus to Kuakata. The roads from Patuakhali to Kuakata are somewhat not in good shape.

.: Parki Beach
The popular picnic spot


Parki beach is situated in Gahira, Anwara thana which is not far from Chittagong city. As the beach is situated at the Karnafuli river channel, visitors can view both the Karnafuli River and the sea together. Tourists enjoy the views of big ships anchored at the outer dock, fishermen catching fish in sea, sunset, various coloured crabs at the beach, and quiet environment. In picnic season, during the months of November – February the beach becomes colourful with people who come here for outing.

A Spot at Parki Beach A Spot at Parki Beach

Parki beach lies at Karnafuli river channel, which is about 8 km from Anwara thana and 28 km away in the southern part of Chittagong city. This sandy beach is about 15 km. long and above the beach is 20km long tamarisk forest created by the forest division. The beach is located 8 km away from the Chatri Choumuhoni point on the Chittagong – Cox’s Bazar highway.

Sonadia Island Bangladesh Sonadia Island

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Forests and Jungles

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.: Sundarbans
Royal Bengal Tiger in World’s largest Mangrove forests


Located about 320 km. south-west of Dhaka and spread over an area of about 60000 sq. km of deltaic swamps along the coastal belt of Khulna, Bangladesh's Sundarbans (beautiful forests) is famous for the world's largest expanse of mangrove forest, and the home of the Royal Bengal tiger. These dense mangrove forests are criss-crossed by a network of rivers and creeks.

Beautiful Spotted Deer in Sundarbans

Beautiful Spotted Deer

Royal Bengal Tiger

Royal Bengal Tiger

Tourists find tides flowing in two directions in the same creek and often tigers swimming across a river or huge crocodiles basking in the sun. Other wildlife of the region includes the cheetahs, beautiful spotted deer, monkeys, pythons, wild bears and hyenas. The forest is accessible by river from Khulna or from Mongla. There are rest-houses for visitors to stay and enjoy the unspoiled beauty and splendour of the forest.

River in Sundarbans

River in Sundarbans

Roots in Mangrove Forest Sundarbans

Roots in the Mangrove Forest

Sundarbans importance is recognised by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site and as one of the last refuse for the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. Sundarbans has the potential to offer splendid opportunities for tourism. The main tourist spots inside the Sundarbans include Hiron Point (Nilkamal), Katka and Tri Kona Island. These places offer the best vantage points for watching tigers, deer, monkeys, crocodiles and birds. Another major attraction inside the Sundarbans is Dublachar (island), a fishing village. Herds of spotted deer often come to graze here.

Spotted deer in Sundarbans

Spotted deer in Sundarbans

Riverside views of Bangladesh forest Sundarbans

Bangladesh Mangrove forests

Riverside views of World’s largest Mangrove forests, Sundarbans

How to get there

Water transport is the only means of communication to the Sundarbans from Khulna or Mongla port. Private motor launches, speed boats, country boats as well as mechanised vessels of Mongla Port Authority offer regular services on these routes. From Dhaka to Khulna the most enjoyable journey is by paddle steamer ‘Rocket’ that offers visitors a picturesque panorama of rural Bangladesh. Day and night coach services by road are also available. The quickest mode is of course by air from Dhaka to Jessore and then to Khulna by road.

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Archaeological Sites

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Bangladesh is a country considerably rich in archaeological wealth, especially of the medieval period both during the Muslim and pre-Muslim rules, though most of it is still unexplored and unknown. In archaeological fieldwork and research this area was very much neglected for a long time for various reasons, not the least of which are its difficult geography and climate and remoteness from the main centres of the subcontinent.

With the independence of Bangladesh in 1971 the Government has undertaken a number of field projects including a comprehensive survey and exploration of the hitherto unexplored areas and a fairly ambitious scheme of excavations on selected sites.

Though work at present is carried out on a limited scale, the discoveries already made have been significant, while new information and fresh evidence are coming out gradually. These fresh explorations are likely to add substantially to our knowledge of the history and chronology of ancient Bangladesh and various aspects of her life and culture.

The earlier history of Bangladesh reveals that Buddhism received royal patronage from some important ruling dynasties like the great Pala rulers, the Chandras and the Deva Kings. Under their royal patronage numerous well-organized, self-contained monasteries sprang up all over the country. The major archaeological sites are described below.


.: Paharpur
The largest Buddhist seat of learning


Paharpur is a small village 5 km west of Jamalganj railway station in the greater Rajshahi district where the remains of the most important and the largest known monastery, south of the Himalayas has been excavated. This 8th century AD archaeological finds covers approximately an area of 27 acres of land. The entire establishment, occupying a quadrangular court, measuring more than 900 ft. and from 12 ft to 15 ft in height with elaborate gateway complex on the north, there are 45 cells on the north and 44 in each of other three sides with a total number of 177 rooms.

Paharpur Paharpur

The architecture of the pyramidal cruciform temple is profoundly influenced by those of south-east Asia, especially Myanmar and Java. It had taken its name from a high mound, which like Pahar or hillock. A site museum houses the representative collection of objects recovered from the area. The excavated findings have also been preserved at the Varendra Research Museum at Rajshahi. The antiquities of the museum include terracotta plaque, images of different gods and goddesses, potteries, coins inscriptions, ornamental bricks and other minor clay objects. Paharpur has been inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1985.


.: Mahasthangarh
The oldest archaeological site


The oldest archaeological site of Bangladesh is on the western bank of river Karatoa 18 km. north of Bogra town beside Bogra-Rangpur Road. The spectacular site is an imposing landmark in the area having a fortified, oblong enclosure measuring 5000 ft. by 4500 ft. with an average height of 15 ft. from the surrounding paddy fields.

Mahasthangarh Mahasthangarh

Beyond the fortified area, other ancient ruins fan out within a semicircle of about five miles radius. Several isolated mounds, the local names of which are Govinda Bhita Temple, Khodai Pathar Mound, Mankalir Kunda, Parasuramer Bedi, Jiyat Kunda etc. surround the fortified city.

This 3rd century archaeological site is still held to be of great sanctity by the Hindus. Every year (mid-April) and once in every 12 years (December) thousands of Hindu devotees join the bathing ceremony on the bank of river Karatoa. A visit to the Mahasthangarh site museum will open up for you wide variety of antiquities, ranging from terracotta objects to gold ornaments and coins recovered from the site.

For visiting Paharpur and Mahasthangarh, the visitors may enjoy the hospitality of Parjatan Motel at Bogra. Mahasthangarh and Paharpur are only 18 km. and 75 km. respectively from Bogra town.


Rajshahi is famous for pure silk. Silk processing industry of the Sericulture Board is just ten minutes walk from Parjatan Motel at Rajshahi. Besides the Sericulture Board, a visit to Varendra Research Museum at the heart of the City for archaeological finds, would be most rewarding.


.: Mainamati
The seat of lost dynasties


An isolated low, dimpled range of hills. dotted with more than 50 ancient Buddhist settlements of the 8th to 12th century AD known as Mainamati-Lalmai range are extended through the centre of the district of Comilla. Salban Vihara, almost in the middle of the Mainamati-Lalmai hill range consists of 115 cells. built around a spacious courtyard with cruciform temple in the centre facing its only gateway complex to the north resembling that of the Paharpur Monastery.

Mainamati Mainamati

Kotila Mura situated on a flattened hillock about 5 km. north of Salban Vihara inside the Comilla Cantonment area is picturesque Buddhist establishment. Here three stupas are found side by side representing the Buddhist "Trinity" or three jewels i.e. the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

Charpatra Mura is an isolated small oblong shrine situated about 2.5 km. north-west of Kotila Mura stupas. The only approach to the shrine is from the East through a gateway which leads to a spacious hall.

The Mainamati site Museum has a rich and varied collection of copper plates, gold and silver coins and 86 bronze objects. Over 150 bronze statues have been recovered mostly from the monastic cells, bronze stupas, stone sculptures and hundreds of terra-cotta plaques each measuring on an average of 9" high and 8" to 12" wide.

Mainamati is only 105 km from Dhaka city and is just a day's trip by road on the way to Chittagong.


.: Lalbagh Fort
A city of the Mughal Empire


The capital city Dhaka predominantly was a city of the Mughals. In hundred years of their vigorous rule successive Governors and princely Viceroys who ruled the province, adorned it with many noble monuments in the shape of magnificent places, mosques, tombs, fortifications and 'Katras' often surrounded with beautifully laid out gardens and pavilions. Among these, few have survived the ravages of time, aggressive tropical climate of the land and vandal hands of man. But the finest specimen of this period is the Aurangabad Fort, commonly known as Lalbagh Fort, which indeed represents the unfulfilled dream of a Mughal Prince.

Lalbagh Fort

Lalbagh Fort

It occupies the south western part of the old city, overlooking the Buriganga on whose northern bank it stands as a silent sentinel of the old city. Rectangular in plan, it encloses an area of 1082' by 800' and in addition to its graceful lofty gateways on south-east and north-east corners and a subsidiary small unpretentious gateway on north, it also contains within its fortified perimeter a number of splendid monuments, surrounded by attractive garden.

These are, a small 3-domed mosque, the mausoleum of Bibi Pari the reputed daughter of Nawab Shaista Khan and the Hammam and Audience Hall of the Governor. The main purpose of this fort, was to provide a defensive enclosure of the palatial edifices of the interior and as such was a type of palace-fortress rather than a siege fort.


.: Shatt-Gumbad Mosque, Bagerhat


In mid-15th century, a Muslim colony was founded in the inhospitable mangrove forest of the Sundarbans near the sea coast in the Bagerhat district by an obscure saint-General, named Ulugh Khan Jahan. He was the earliest torch bearer of Islam in the South who laid the nucleus of an affluent city during the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah (1442-59), then known as 'Khalifatabad' (present Bagerhat).

Shatt-Gumbad Mosque Shatt-Gumbad Mosque

Khan Jahan adorned his city with numerous mosques, tanks, roads and other public buildings, the spectacular ruins of which are focused around the most imposing and largest multi-domed mosques in Bangladesh, known as the Shatt-Gumbud Masjid (160'x108'). The stately fabric of the monument, serene and imposing, stands on the eastern bank of an unusually vast sweet-water tank, clustered around by the heavy foliage of a low-laying countryside, characteristic of a sea-coast landscape.

The mosque roofed over with 77 squat domes, including 7 chauchala or four-sided Pitched Bengali domes in the middle row. The vast prayer hall, although provided with 11 arched doorways on east and 7 each on north and south for ventilation and light, presents a dark and sombre appearance inside. It is divided into 7 longitudinal aisles and 11 deep days by a forest of slender stone columns, from which springs rows of endless arches, supporting the domes. Six feet thick, slightly tapering walls and hollow and round, almost detached corner towers, resembling the bastions of fortress, each capped by small rounded cupolas, recall the Tughlaq architecture of Delhi. The general appearance of this noble monument with its stark simplicity but massive character reflects the strength and simplicity of the builder.


.: Sonargaon
The ancient capital of Bengal


About 27 km. from Dhaka, Sonargaon is one of the oldest capitals of Bengal. It was the seat of Deva Dynasty until the 13th century. From then onward till the advent of the Mughals, Sonargaon was subsidiary capital of the Sultanate of Bengal. Among the ancient monuments still intact are the Tomb of Sultan Ghiasuddin (1399-1409 A.D.), the shrines of Panjpirs and Shah Abdul Alla and a beautiful mosque in Goaldi village. The ancient capital of Bengal was called 'Panam Nagar' which is still standing with its past.

Sonargaon

Sonargaon


.: Kantanagar Temple, Dinajpur


The most ornate among the late medieval temples of Bangladesh is the Kantanagar temple near Dinajpur town, which was built in 1752 by Maharaja Pran Nath of Dinajpur. The temple, a 50' square three storied edifice, rests on a slightly curved raised plinth of sandstone blocks, believed to have been quarried from the ruins of the ancient city of Bangarh near Gangharampur in West Bengal. It was originally a Navaratna temple, crowned with four richly ornamental corner towers on two storeys and a central one over the third storey.

Kantanagar Temple

Kantanagar Temple

Unfortunately these ornate towers collapsed during an earthquake at the end of the 19th century. In spite of this, the monument rightly claims to be the finest extant example of its type in brick and terracotta, built by Bengali artisans. The central cells is surrounded on all sides by a covered veranda, each pierced by three entrances, which are separated by equally ornate dwarf brick pillars, Corresponding to the three delicately cusped entrances of the balcony, the sanctum has also three richly decorated arched openings on each face.

Every inch of the temple surface is beautifully embellished with exquisite terracotta plaques, representing flora fauna, geometric motifs, mythological scenes and an astonishing array of contemporary social scenes and favourite pastimes.

Besides, there are many other monuments which incites tourist interests.


.: Ahsan Manzil
The pink majestic


On the bank of river Buriganga in Dhaka the Pink majestic Ahsan Manzil has been renovated and turned into a museum recently. It is an epitome of the nation's rich cultural heritage. It is the home of Nawab of Dhaka and a silent spectator to many events.

Ahsan Manzil

Ahsan Manzil

Today's renovated Ahsan Manzil a monument of immense historical beauty. It has 31 rooms with a huge dome atop which can be seen from miles around. It now has 23 galleries in 31 rooms displaying of traits, furniture and household articles and utensils used by the Nawab.


.: Sitakunda
Chandranath Hindu Temple


It is approximately 37 km far from Chittagong. This is famous for Chandranath Hindu Temple - one of the oldest temples in the subcontinent. There is also Buddhist Temple having a footprint of Buddha. These places particularly the hilltops are regarded as very sacred by the Hindus and Buddhist. Shiva Chanuturdash (14th) festivals is held every year in February when thousands of pilgrims assemble which lasts for ten days. There is also a hot-water spring 5 km to the north of Sitakunda.

Chandranath Hindu Temple

Chandranath Hindu Temple


.: Sri Chaitanya Temple
A famous Hindu Temple


About 500 years old famous temple of Sri Chaitanya Dev is located at Dhaka Dakhin nearly 45 km south-east from Sylhet town. The place is revered for being the ancestral home of the famous Vaishnava saint. Yearly fair is organized on the full moon day of the Bangla month Falgun. Hundreds and thousand of devotees from home and abroad attend this colourful fair.

Sri Chaitanya Temple

Sri Chaitanya Temple

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