Madhabkunda in Bangladesh

Madhabkunda is considered as the largest waterfall of Bangladesh. It is located at Madhabkunda under Moulavibazar District in Sylhet Division. It is about five km away from Dakshinbagh railway station, and 350 km from Dhaka city.  Madhabkunda is located about 5 km from Kakhinbage railway station, the nearest station of Madhabkunda.

It is considered as one of the most popular tourist’s spots of Bangladesh. Every year Lots of tourists and visitors visit this magnificent waterfall from different places of the world. Generally, waterfalls are the beautiful sensations for the tourists. Madhamkunda has the attraction for the tourists for its million tons of water, fall from 200 ft. height.

Bangladesh Government declared Madhabkunda as an eco-park with the intention of protecting Madhabkunda Waterfall and its surrounding nature. During the rainy season, huge amount of water is fallen. The fascinating sound of Madhabkunda waterfall is really awesome. It sounds like thunder in rainy season.

It is a fascinating waterfall of Bangladesh. There is a watch tower in front of the fall. So, if anyone goes on top of the waterfall, he can get the scenic beauty of Madhabkunda Eco Park. Sweet murmuring sound of the waterfall in dry season is also very minded blowing. In Rainy season water comes from the top very forcefully. So visitors are forbidden to enter the danger zone.

Food: In Madhabkunda, you can get excellent meal at Parjatan Motel situated in Madhabkunda Eco Park. Though the price is high, the quality of food in Parjantan Motel restaurant is extra ordinary. There visitor can get Raam Kola (hilly banana) and other local fruits that are very tasty and mouthwatering.

Shopping: outside the Madhabkunda Eco Park's gate there are many small shops. There anybody can get handicrafts made by local tribes. Though this product is not cheap, but tourists buy it for its gorgeous out looking and finishing. They can also get the chance to buy fresh tea from Sylhet.

How to Go Madhabkunda: Journey to Madhabkunda will be memorable journey for the visitors only for its scenic roadside view. At the time of journey, the visitors can enjoy the greenish tea gardens, serpentine roads and hills. There is more than one way to go Madhabkunda from Sylhet. So, visitor can get into a bus from Upashahar Bus terminal of Sylhet to Borolekha, Moulovi Bazar. After reaching Borolekha visitors have to take a CNG auto rickshaw to go the gate of Madhabkunda Eco Park. Otherwise, visitor can get into a train from Sylhet and move toward Kolaura rail station. Then for their easy and comfortable journey, visitors can rent up down a CNG or Micro Bus from Sylhet to Madhabkunda Waterfall. But it is very costly. It may take taka 3000-3500.  

By Plane:

Visitors can start heading towards the Sylhet by Air from Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka to Amanat Airport through several local Airlines directly such as Biman-Bangladesh Airlines, United Airways, GMG Airlines etc. it may be coasted about taka 3500, BDT 7500 and BDT 5500 chronologically.

By Bus:

There are many luxury coach and bus services from Dhaka to Sylhet. Some prominent services are Hanif, Shohag Paribahan, Green Line etc. These services are available from 7.30 am to 10.30 pm and they charged about 600-650For budget travelers. There are some non AC bus services accessible from Sayedabad bus terminal which proceed every half hour from 6 am to midnight.

 Near Spots:

Jaflong:

Tamabil:

Shripur:

Jaintapur:

Madhob Kundo:

Lawachora Forest:

Kuakata Sea Beach of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a land of beauty and most of its beauty is related with nature. There are several famous and renowned sea beaches in this country. Each of them bears the popularity of the natural beauties Bangladesh. Like Cox’s Bazar, Kuakata is also a stunning sea beach of Bangaladesh. Significantly it is more calm and virgin sea beach of Bangladesh than that of Cox’s Bazar. It is situated in the district of Patuakhali that is considered as the southernmost point of Bangladesh. Great news about the district, it is the only place of Bangladesh where you can enjoy sunrise and sunset from the same sandy sea beach of Bay of Bengal. It is particularly considered that, Kuakata is the only sea beach in South Asia where anybody can enjoy the scenery of sunrise and sunset from same venue. Really! It is a matter of great enjoyment that the travellers can see the sun rise from the breast of the sea and vanish in the secretive sea water.

History: The name “Kuakata” is derived from the word “Kua” which means ‘Well’ and “kata” means digging. In the past time early Rakhaine settlers dug well in the sea beach for their drinking water. From that time it has been a tradition of Rakhaine tribes. For this reason the name “Kuakata” was originated. Locally Kuakata is known as ‘Shagor Konnya’ (Daughter of Sea) for its calm and healthy natural environment.

Chance: If you visit there you will gain much chance, which you never think before travelling the place.

Observing sun rising and sun set:

After observing the scenery of the sun rising and sun setting in Kuakata anybody may feel a heavenly charm. For watching sunrise “Jhawbon” is the better place. It is only 15 minutes walking distance from hotel motel zone of Kuakata. If you think it is very far so nothing to worry van and rickshaw are also available in this area. So you can ride easily.

Boating: Without making any hesitation, it is a great chance for the traveller to ride boats. So, anybody can enjoy speed boat and trawler riding from Sea beach area. Playing with ebbs and tide of sea will be a great experience for you.

Motor Bike and Horse Riding:

It is another great pleasure for the traveller when they visit sea beach. Riding in the sea shore where gentle breezes are blowing frequently is an awesome experience. So, most of the traveller do not miss the chance to take pleasure in riding motor cycle and horse.  They are not so much costly.

Sunbathing and Swimming:

Actually, Sunbathing and swimming are most common appear in every sea beach.  So, Kuakata is not an exception and it is a safe place for swimming and sunbathing.

Calm Environment:

Generally the environment of sea becomes calm and quiet at night and at that time the roaring sound of Bay of Bengal is really a charming matter. Especially, Kuakata sea beach is very much safe place for enjoying night at sea shore. So, anybody can hear the booming sound of Bay of Bengal if he is bold and travels beside the sea shore at night.  

Technique of going Kuakata:

Kuakata is about 320 km south of Dhaka and 70 km south of Patuakhali. So, it is not so easy to go there. Visitors can reach there by bus and also launch (big engine boat). The road communication of this area is very good from Dhaka to Patuakhali. But the road journey may be long and a bit awful, if the traveller is not perfect to travel long time, because it is long way. So they can easily reach there by ferries or launches from Dhaka to Patuakhali.

By Bus:

Two bus services are available from Dhaka to Kuakata. It may be coasted around 550 -600 taka per person, and journey may take within12-14 hours! You visitors should travel at night. At that time they will find the opportunity to pass the time by sleeping deeply.

These Bus Services will be helpful for the visitors.

Sakura Bus Service: 36/1, Dhaka-Aricha Sarak, Gabtali , Mirpur
Dhaka. Contact No: 8021184, 8014702, +8801190689387 Kuakata: +8801196157183, +8801726528490

BRTC: Bus started from Sayedabad bus terminal.

By Launch (Large River Boat):

There are several launch services from Sadarghat Launch terminal of Dhaka. Every day they leave the terminal at 6 to 9 pm. If somebody want to get a comfortable journey from Dhaka to Barishal they may cost taka 500 taka to 700 taka but if they want to travel normally it will cost only taka 120 per person. It may be take 10-12 hours to reach Barishal.  Then you have to take a local bus from Barishal to Kuakata. The distance of Kuakata from Barishal is about 90 km. So, it may take 4 or 5 hours to go there.  

Probable Foods Product: Generally the beach is famous for the natural beauties but it is not an ideal place for regular food stuff of Bangladeshi People. Then, you can find everything you want to eat in these restaurants in Kuakata. All the food items are not so cheap.

Shopping: In Kuakata shopping is not a matter of great value. It is renowned only for the natural scenery. To memorize your journey you can buy handicrafts and other products made by local people from here.

Name of the hotels and their address:                            

Hotel Nilanjona International: Kuakata (Opposite of Rakhaine Market), Potuakhali, Bangladesh Mobile-+8801712-927904, +880181-9245537

Hotel Banani Palace: Sadar Road, Kuakata, Potuakhali, Bangladesh
Cell : +880171-3024087, +880171222-8144

Hotel Kuakata Inn: Kuakata (Parjatan Area), Potuakhali, Bangladesh Cell: +880171-5019186, +8801711823067, +8801718-322777 Fax-088-02-9893368

Sagor Konna Resort: Kuakata(West), Potuakhali, Bangladesh Phone : 04428-56020, Mobile-01720209029, 01711181798 Dhaka Office: Shop -4/68-69, Eastern Plus Shopping Complex, Shantinagar, Dhaka-1217. Phone-880-2-8314061, Mobile-+880172020902

Baldah Garden

Baldah Garden is one of the botanical gardens in Bangladesh located at Wari in the old part of the city of Dhaka. It is considered as one of the oldest botanical gardens. It is established in this part of Bengal by a private individual. In 1909 the garden is established by the naturalist, philanthropist and poet Narendra Narayan Roy Chaudhury. He established the garden on his own property.

 It is divided into two units. The larger unit is named Cybele, with the northern side slightly cutting a corner. Its measures are about 136 meters in length and 76 metres in width. The smaller unit is approximately 100 metres long and 45 metre wide. In 1962, the garden was handed over to the government of East Pakistan and the Forestry Department took charge of managing the garden. In 1971, after the liberation war, the Department of Forestry of the new government began to work for its improvement.

A rest house-cum amphitheater, called the Joy House was built in the garden to enjoy the floristic beauty of the garden. Visitor from different part of the world have been visiting the place from many celebrities. There is a big sundial in this unit of the garden which shows the time of the day with exactness on sunny days. It surprises the visitors, particularly children most.

The garden has about 15, 0000 plants representing 672 types. Many of these are interesting and rare plants; it is considered that, the richest collection of exotic plants in the country is accommodated in this garden. The vegetation of the garden represents collections from over 50 different countries. The total plants of the garden is classified into seven categories – orchids, cacti, conservatory plants, aquatic plants, roses, rockery and wall plants, arboretum, and miscellaneous Flora. The rose garden, for its rich collection of roses, in Cybele is renowned throughout the subcontinent. The Baldah Garden is an exciting place for naturalists and tourists to visit, although comparatively small in size. Every many visitor gather here to gain much pleasure from nature and explore from the garden.

Warning: Recently, some anxious situations are found inside the garden. To warn the people, who make thus types of work, there is a notice board signifies not doing any antisocial activities inside the garden, but some bad people try to do so. Especially in the afternoon while visiting the Baldha Garden some couples may be seen trying to create nasty situation. Actually, it is not good for other visitors who eagerly go there to enjoy the natural beauty of the Baldha Garden. Though, Government and the authority take the proper enterprises to preserve the legendary Baldha Garden’s heritage, but many people do the work by paying money to the staffs that are joined inside the garden. So be careful from this situation.

Direction: BRTC from Abdullahpur, Mirpur,  Belal Poribahan from Abdullahpur, Borak, Hanif and Super Bus Service from EPZ, United, Shotabdi, Bahon, and ETC Bus Service from Mirpur, Midway and Raja City Service from Mohammadpur.

Near Spots:

Botanical Garden of Bangladesh

National Memorial of Bangladesh

Ahsan Manzil

Lalbagh Fort

National Museum

National Zoo 

Karzon Hall

Accommodation: If you are a foreigner you can stay in the hotels according to your own choice when you visit Bangladesh to wander.

 Hotel Ramna:

45, Bangabandhu Avenue, Dhaka
(Near GPO & Gulistan Mazar. Ask taxi/baby taxi to go Gulistan area)
Phone: +880-2-9562279.
Tariff: Tk. 300-700/Night

Hotel Yemeni International:

219 Syed Nazruil Islam Sharoni, Dhaka
(Opposite of GPO, same building of Gulistan Peer Yemeni market)
Phone: +880-2-9565220
Tariff: Tk. 250-800/Night

Hotel Pacific:

120/B Motijheel Commercial Area, Dhaka
(Near Toyota Building & 100 meters west of Motijheel Biman office)
Phone: +880-2-9558148
Tariff: Tk. 750-1,000

Hotel Purbani:

Price range:4500 BDT-6500 BDT
1 Dilkusha Commercial Area
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Phone:+880 (2) - 9552229
Fax: +880 (2) – 9562314

Hotel Al-Helal:

186, Motijheel Circular Road,
Dhaka - 1000 , Bangladesh
Telephone: +880-2-9336533, 9330181

Hotel Motijheel (Pvt.) Ltd.:

28/A-2, Toyenbee Circular Road
Motijheel C/A, Dhaka- 1000, Bangladesh
Telephone: +880-2-9553518, 9551438
Fax: +880-2-9568760

Orchard Plaza Dhaka Hotel:

Orchard Plaza Dhaka Hotel
71 Naya Paltan (vip Road) Motijheel
Dhaka, 1000
Bangladesh. Contact No. +88029331832

Rupashi Bangla,Bangladesh:

Contact Details:

 Executive Officer:

Minto Road, Shahbag

P.O. Box 504, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

Phone: (880)(2) 8330001

Fax: (880)(2) 8312975

Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel:

Contact Details:

 107 Kaji Nazrul Islam Avenue

Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh

Telephone: +880 2 811 1005

Fax: +880 2 811 3324

Hotel Rajmoni Ishakha

89/3, VIP Road, Kakrail, Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Telephone +880-2-8322426-9

Fax +880-2-8315369

Website: http://hotelrazmoni.com

Imperial Hotel International:

33 Bangabandu Avenue, Dhaka

Telephone: +880-2-7112106-7, 9554732, 9559580, 9552126

Fax +880-2-9563298, 9560281

Website http://www.imperialhotelbd.com

  

Visiting Hours:  

Open: Saturday to Thursday, from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM

Close Day: Friday

Entry Ticket: 5 taka only

Paharpur Buddhist Monastery

Paharpur-Buddhist Monastery, the Largest Buddhist Seat of South Asia, is a small village situated in 5 km west of Jamalgonj in the greater Rajshahi district in north Bengal. Here the remains of the most important and the largest known monastery south of the Himalayas have been excavated. King Darma Pal established Paharpur Buddist Monastery in 7^th century. The  complete establishment measures more than 300 meters. It differs from 3.5 to 4.5 meters in height with an elaborate gateway complex on the north.  There are 45 cells on the north and 44 in each of the other three sides. The total number of the rooms is 177. The center of the Monastery contains the main temple and the total area consists of around 43,200.00 Square Feet of land.

The pyramidal cruciform temple is profoundly influenced for its manufacture by those of South-East Asia, especially Myanmar and Java. It had taken its name from a high mound, which looked like a hill.

There is a museum built recently. The houses are the representative collection of objects which are recovered from the area. The exhumed findings have also been preserved at the Veranda Research Museum at Rajshahi. In museum there are ancient elements including terracotta plaques, images of different gods and goddesses, pottery, coin inscription, ornamental bricks and other minor clay objects.

Paharpur Buddhist Vihara has linked India and Southeast Asia since ages, due to its obvious geographical preference. As trade flourished and culture exchanged, Buddhism entered in this region back in 5thcentury and gradually religion has influenced all over.It is very easy to visit there. If someone wants to visit there he can easily go there by buses from Dhaka city. He can get ticket from Saidabad bus stand, Mohakhali bus stand, Gabtoli bus stand or he can go there by train. Or, he can go there easily from Jaipur district. It’s only 10 kilometers from Jaipur.

Botanical Garden of Bangladesh

The Botanical Garden of Bangladesh is situated at Mirpur in Dhaka city. It is adjacent to Dhaka Zoo. So, one can have a look at the zoo and the botanical garden in one trip. It is built with an area of 205 acres of land. It is also considered as is the largest plant conservation center in Bangladesh. The establishment of this garden was in 1961. It is also considered as one of the greatest botanical gardens of Bangladesh and a tourist destination. The planning system of this garden is well. It provides not only learning facilities but also recreational facilities adjacent to the Dhaka Zoo. There are about 57 sections in it and all of the sections are completely separated from one another. Forest Department under Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of Bangladesh controls the garden.

There are about 56,000 individual of trees in its collection. Many common and uncommon trees including Camphor, Rabbit Fern, Dambea, White Chandan, African tulip tree, White rangan etc. are available here. The authority of this garden has established a tissue culture laboratory and a modern vegetative propagation arrangement to provide much facility to the visitors. There are a huge rose garden, cress-crossing lake, watch deck, artificial water fall, and bridge over the lake which is the main attraction of this place. Especially in winter thousands of wandering birds are the main issue of observing of the visitors. It is classified into fifty-seven sections including a cactus house, lily ponds, a lotus pond, two nurseries, an orchid house, a tissue culture research center and comprehensive visitor facilities surrounded by six lakes.

It is measured as one of the country's most visited public gardens and a preeminent center for learning and scientific research. There are two watch towers the garden that will help you to see the whole garden at a glance if you visit there. Everybody can get an extraordinary charm and delight, which they could not get in hectic city life, from the huge greenery, grassy field with blue sky. At the time of visiting some people are roaming around the corner and dens side of the garden.     

Really it is a place of superlatives. The nature of this garden has been changing moment to moment. So, a visit to The National Botanical Garden deals everybody a calm and peaceful environment. So they will get escape from chaos city life.  

Visiting time:

March to November: 9:00am to 5:00pm

December to February: 9:00am to 4:30pm

There is no public holiday. So, visitors can visit any day in the week according to their choice and leisure.  

National Memorial of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is mostly famous for its historical places and beautiful scenes. There are many historical places which make the beautiful country more attractive. National Memorial, in Bangla Jatiyo Smrity Shoud, is one of the historical and memorable places in Bangladesh. It is a symbolic word. The name of this monument bears a deep meaning which is closely related to the nation. It symbolizes the heroism and the sacrifice of the martyrs who laid down their valuable lives in the Liberation War of 1971, which brought the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistani rule. Some people think though it is built with concrete but made of blood. The location of this monument is in Savar, it is about 35 Kilometers north-west of the capital, beside Jahangir Najor University, Dhaka.

In the first anniversary of the victory day the plans for the monument were introduced in 1972. According to the plan of this monument the total area of it is about 126 acres. There are seven high towers which make the monument more attractive. The towers are not at the same size. The highest point of the monument is 150 feet. There is an artificial lake, and several mass graves in front of the main monument.     

Following the site selection, road and land development, a nation-wide design competition was held in June, 1978. Following evaluation of the 57 submissions, Syed Mainul Hossain's design was chosen. The main structure and the artificial lake and other facilities were completed in 1982.

The most moving sight of the complex is the several graves of the martyred freedom fighters. The graves are very close to the monument. Every year especially in the Victory Day people of Bangladesh visit here to offer flowers in the graves. They bow down their heads with great honor because the freedom fighters expensed their lives only for the nation without making any hesitation.      

Ahsan Manzil

Ahsan Manzil, one of the historical places in Bangladesh, is situated at Kumartoli along the banks of the Buriganga River in Bangladesh. The construction of this palace was started in the year 1859 and was completed in 1869. The palace became the Bangladesh National Museum on 20 September 1992 to preserve the cultural and history of the area.

The whole palace of Ahsan Manzil is divided into two parts. One is the eastern side which is called the Rangmahal and another is western side which is called Andarmahal. The height of the ground floor is about 5 meters and the height of the first floor is about 5.8 meters. The thickness of the walls of the palace is about 0.78 meters. 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. The total area of acquired land was 5.65 acres. A museum has been established there. The building has a broad front-facing the Buriganga River.

Basically, it was the residence of the Nawabs. Nawab Abdul Gani renovated this building in the year 1872 and named it after his son Khaza Ahasanullah. Todays renovated Ahsan Manjil a monument of immense historical beauty.

The high octagonal dome is placed on the central round room. There is a large drawing room, card room, library, state room and two other guest rooms are located on the east side of the palace. The ballroom, the Hindustani room and few residential rooms are situated on the western side. A beautiful vaulted artificial ceiling, made of wood, decorates the drawing room and the Jalsaghar. A splendid dining hall and few smaller rooms are placed on the west part. The floors of the dining and darbar halls are decorated with white, green and yellow colored ceramic tiles. The verandas and rooms are covered with marble. The architecture and the decoration is one of a kind in whole Bangladesh.

Now visitors have much opportunity to visit the beautiful restored and preserved Ahsan Manzil. Museum is the much attraction of this palace, and it bears the historical elements.

The communication system of this palace is very good. If someone wants to visit the palace he can go there by CNG, or rickshaw. First he has to visit Sodorgat, then he can go there easily.  

Open 9 am- 5 pm from Saturday to Wednesday and 3-5 pm on Friday. Thursday is close.

Lalbagh Fort

 Location: Lalbagh Fort is one of the most historical places of Bangladesh which is situated on the banks of the river Buriganga in the southwestern part of old Dhaka. Prince Muhammad Azam constructed the fort in 1678 AD by during his I 5 month long vice-royalty of Bengal.

                                                    Lalbagh port 

It was considered to be a combination of three buildings, (the mosque, the tomb of Bibi Pari and the Diwan-i-Aam), two gateways and a portion of the partly damaged fortification wall. The area of this port is about 7.2 hectares; excavations have revealed the remains of structures. There are three surviving gateways; the southern one is the most imposing in the port.

There is a large pond situated the port. The band of the pond is covered with wall. Around the pond there are four ghats for the visitors to sit or to come down in the pond.

foreigner in Lalbagh Fort            

 In spring the ground of this pond dries up. So visitors can go down in the ground of it. Several time children play there with ball and other toys. Many short meetings also organize there. Inside the port there are many flower garden with many blooming flowers charmed the place most! The building in the middle, the tomb of Bibi Pari, is the most impressive of the surviving buildings of the fort.

The entire inner wall of the central room was covered with white marble. While the four side central rooms had stone skirting up to a height of one meter. The wall in the four corner rooms was skirted with beautiful glazed floral tiles. The tiles have recently, been restored; two of the original tiles have been retained. The southeastern corner room contains a small grave, popularly known to be of Shamsad Begum, possibly a relative of Bibi Pari. The Lalbagh Fort Mosque is a three-domed mosque with a water tank.