The Ancient Dhaka

Once a sunny day of Dhaka when I was wandering through the narrow and crowded streets of old Dhaka(I was then a new comer) then suddenly a royal colorful palace emerged  in front of me without any notice. To my great astonishment I discovered myself before the famous historical architecture "Ahsan Manzil". Ahsan Manzil undergone a varied history was the official residential palace and seat of the Dhaka Nawab Family. It is situated on the banks of the Buriganga River in Bangladesh. The palace is now a museum. It is constructed in the Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture.Ahsan Manzil starting from being Rang Mahal (of Sheikh Enayetullah, a Zamindar of Jamalpur pargana (Barisal) during the time of the Mughals) to a French trading centre was named by Abdul Ghani after his son Nawab Khwaja Ahsanullah. Nawab Khwaja Alimullah bought it from the French in 1830 and converted it into his residence, effecting necessary reconstruction and renovations. The final reconstruction was done by Martin.After maintaining  long glory days by the successors of Nawab-Ahsan Manzil started to decline from 1952 due to financial constraints of successors when it was acquired under the East Bengal Estate Acquisition Act.The palace was soon on the verge of collapse as successors rented out rooms without considering its dignity. Over the years illegal occupants turned the place into a filthy slum.

In 1985 Ahsan Manzil and its surroundings were acquired. After the completion of the renovation work in 1992 under the supervision of the Directorate of Public Works and Architecture, it was brought under the control of Bangladesh National Museum (20 September 1992). A museum has been established there.Ahsan Manzil is one of the most significant architectural monuments of Bangladesh. Established on a raised platform of 1 metre, the two-storied palace measures 125.4 m by 28.75 m. The height of the ground floor is 5 metres and that of the first floor 5.8 metres. There are porticos the height of the ground floor, both on the northern and southern sides of the palace. An open spacious stairway comes down from the southern portico, extending onto the bank of the river through the front garden. There was once a fountain in the garden in front of the stairs, that does not exist today. The spacious north and south verandas of both the floors rest on semicircular arches. The verandas and rooms are covered with marble.

To construct the dome of Ahsan Manzil, the square room on the ground floor was given a round shape with brickwork in the corners. The room was then given an octagonal shape near the roof by squinches. This octagonal shape took the form of the drum of the dome. Finally, the kumud kali (buds of lotus) shaped dome was constructed by gradually slanting the eight corners to the peak. The dome is 27.13 m above the ground. Ahsan Manzil is one of those architectures of Bangladesh which hold the age old history of this land. So don't forget to visit this palace if you ever been in Dhaka.

The great Muslim traveler Ibn Battuta visited Sonargaon in the 14th century and astonished to see the luxurious and romantic capital of great Isa Khan's kingdom in Bengal and I visiting Sonargaon in 2008 became nostalgic to see the ruined and shabby city. sonargaon the ancient capital of Isa Khan is located near the current-day city of Narayanganj.As the capital of the fifteenth-century Bengal ruler Isa Khan, and once an important trading and political center, Sonargaon boasts architecture of the Sultanate, Mughal, and colonial periods. The Sonargaon historic city, located near the present-day capital of Dhaka, includes several Mughal monuments—among them the Sonakanda River Fort, the Panch Pir Mazar Shrine, and Ibrahim's and Abdul Hamid's Mosque. British colonial architecture preserved in Sonargaon includes the Ananda Mohan Piddar House, and other street-front houses. For travelers making their way along the 2,500-kilometer Grand Trunk Road from Peshawar in the Hindu Kush, Sonargaon marked the end of the line.

Old Sonargaon can be found near Narayanganj and Dhaka, cities in Bangladesh, and is considered one of the first and oldest capitals of Bengal. Sonargaon was known as “The City of Panam” and was a focal part of the renowned Deva Dynasty until the thirteenth century. Mainly middle or upper class people inhabited Sonargaon during that time period.

After the thirteenth century Sonargaon was made a secondary capital to the main capital of the Sultanate of Bengal. This subsidiary position that Sonargaon had now taken, lasted until the arrival of the Mughals. The Mughal Empire originated in India and was first founded in 1526 by Babur, a Turco-Persian leader. The imperial Mughal viceroys ruled Bengal, and thus Sonargaon, for nearly a century before Bangladesh was founded in 1608. In Panam city you will city many ruined architectures but still having grandeur along their survived shape. Goaldi mosque, Kantoshri Mondir and many other buildings will tell you silently about a once flourishing and glorious city. The gloomy sight of  the ghost

city reminded me about the rise and fall of the human history. Sonargao is also famous for 'folklore museum'. Due to the many threats to preservation (including flooding and vandalism) that this culturally and historically significant city faces, the World Monuments Fund placed it on its 2008 Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites in the world

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Amazing Shylet

Shylet the city of history and beauty is a wonderful place for traveling. Its marvelous nature gives you a life time thrill if you ever visit this sweet division of Bangladesh. After stepping in Shylet never forget to pay your 'Salam' to the shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal(Rh) as he is considered as the spiritual guardian of Shylet. Shylet is a serene and sweet town. There are many places for enjoying beautiful nature in Shylet. The most popular tourist place in Shylet is Jaflong. There are many wonderful hills and fountains and amazing river 'Piain' comes from the very deep of the hills and brings a million ton rocks every year. I can guarantee any heart loaded with sorrow and suffering become cool and calm with the tocolor and uch of ice-cold flow of the river, the beautiful heavy hills, splendid variety of rocks in size and shape and

ever flowing fountain. The landscape of Jaflong also beautiful. Don't miss to visit the famous tea gardens of Jaflong which bear the long heritage establish Empire. You can also see 'Tamabil' one of the coal producing area of Bangladeshed.From main town you have to hire taxi or tampo to go to Jaflong. Dont't miss to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Jaflong. It's really a wonderful.place to remember.

Another popular tourist place of Shylet is Madhobkundo. There is an outstanding fountain called 'Madhobkundo'. It fallls from about 400 feet high hill. This fountain falls almost whole year. If it is a sunny day thousands water drops scatter from the falling water flow create a superb rainbow through the foot of the fountain, Madhobkundo is also famous for its evergreen huge hills. If you are energetic enough you can discover the beauty of hill tract of Madhobkundo through its green hills. Rememeber don't forget your track or it can be dangerous. 

Another beautiful place of Shylet is Lawuachara. It is a preserved forest and national park where a number of andemic and rare species live here.Biological diversity in the Lawuachara National Park consists of 460 species, of which 167 species are plants, 4 amphibian species, 6 reptile species, 246 bird species and 20 mammal species.Hoolock gibbon is one seriously endangered higher primate in Bangladesh. A researcher found that only 49 surviving individuals gibbons are alive in Lawuchara. There are other types of primate in this forest.Lawachara is also called a Bird Safari. Birds of different species are found here and anyone can always trek along the adventurous mud stairs, carved into the hills, while listening tothin, huge web and amazingly stay on it. The web is wide, clear and visible as it is attached to the neighboring trees. It is also known that in the deep, dark places of Lawachara,animals like leopard, wilebore and even King Cobra settle their presence.

Different types of plants make the natural view of 'Lawachara' more thrilling and attractive. Trees like Raktan, Erythrina Indica, Shegun, Orchid, Fishtail Palm, Dhootora, etc. are found in plenty in 'Lawachara'. 'Lawachara' consists of a huge bamboo forest. Among the bamboos, 'Jai Bash' is a bamboo which is very thick and very rare. 'Agor' tree is another excellent legend in 'Lawachara'.

Indigenous people like Khasia, Monipuri, tripura are the main inhabitants of this forest. These inhabitants obtain their source of income by selling 'Panpata', a kind of leaf mostly eaten in South-East Asia. It's a great thing that you can walk through the fabulous forest by trail. There are 3 or 4 types of trail depending on their distance through the forest. You have to take a guide with you to lead you through such trail. If you are lucky enough you can see any rare type of species on your journey. It is a life time experience for who love nature and animals and birds.

There are sufficient good hotels in Shylet such as Hotel Monoram, Hotel Supreme, Hotel Holiday,Nirvana Inn, Rose View hotel etc. You can choose hotel according to your ability. But mind it, food is expensive here. So who love to eat don't order a lot of before knowing the price.

Road to Khagrachori

Khagrachori the city of hills and beauty and home town of Mong king who is the head of the Arakanese descendants living in the circle is one of the most beautiful place I've ever seen. If you like hills, fountain falling from hills and forest and adventure then Khagrachori is one of the best place in Bangladesh for traveling. Khagrachori city lies in the arm of the hills.It's a beautiful city sorrounded by hills and greens. There flows a river dividing the city into two parts which is known as 'Changi' locally. I've discovered the beauty of the town through Lower Parachora,Upper Parachora,Newzeland (name of an area of the city).If you have eonugh time don't forget to take a look at the city.The nearest place for traveling from the town is Alutila.

There is an ancient cave through the foot of hill Alutila and an extra-ordinary fountain called 'Richang fountain’.It's really a life-time experience to walk through the Alutila cave. Basically these are two prime tourist spots of Khagrachori.It will take half an hour to reach the spot from the bus stand of main town. The beauty of Richang fountain is really amazing.Water falls from about 60 foot high and falls at a mild slope of rock surface of another hill. Don't miss this view .You can also visit Panchori. It is a sacred place and meditation centre for the Buddist who live here. Panchori is a good place for traveling for its natural beauty

and calmness of its solemn environment. But what really hurt me that the forest are being destroyed for this centre on the top of the hills. This should be stopped. There is a huge monument of Buddho in Panchori. It's about 40 foot high.So if you have enough time you must go to Panchori.Another wonderful palce for traveling is Marishhwa. It is a very impassable area and difficult to go.If you are energetic enough and like adventure then you can go to Marishhwa.It is near to the Indian border and rich in natural beauty. The whole destination of Marishhawa is embellished with hills after hills, trees after trees. The rise and fall of spiral way of hill tract give you a real thrill when you start for Marishhwa. The natural beauty of Marishhwa is breath taking.  For traveling Marishhwa one have to go to Dighinala-about 20 km far away from Khagrachori city by bus and from there start for Marishhwa with a heavenly(!) jeep locally called 'Chander gari'(Car from moon). There is a beautiful river through the line of hills flows in heavenly passion.You can go to Rangamati directly through this river from Khagrachori.

How to go..where to go : There are available buses for Khagrachori from Dhaka or Chittagong.In

Khagrachori there are available hotels, bangalwos or resthouses. Rent for hotels is normally 300/ per head. So travel Khagrachori and enjoy beautiful nature.

Nijhum dip:The Island of serenity

'Nijhum Dip' means the island of tranquility...the perfect name for this island.The very quite and serene environment of this island really heals any heart that is hurt,any boredom that seems incurable.If you don't believe this then taste it own.It's really an amazing experience to visit such a place..

Nijhum Dip- is an offshore island in the Bay of Bengal situated in the extreme south of Hatia island which is separated by Hatia channel.Hatia including Nijhum dip was concealed by water for many years.Then the surface of  the islands began to rise at 1972 and forest department started to plantation here.Actually Hatia is the combination of many small islands and Nijhum dip is one of them.The mangrove forest,spotted deer and their friend monkeys,snakes,about 35 species of bird are the main attraction of this land .But was a terrible experience for me to reach there as the communication or transportation system is very gruesome here.If you want to travel this wonderful island (if you are brave enough to face any kind of hostility) then you have to go to Nawakhali first.Then you can ride with a tampo till Shonapur from where you can get available buses start for 'chairman ghat'-the last limit of mainland at Nawakhali.Mind it, it is the cheapest way I'm telling.If you have enough money in your pocket you can travel as your wish.And obviously mind it you have to reach 'chairman ghat' before afternoon before it is too late to catch a launch to Hatia.There are only two launch (better said murir tin) start for Hatia-one is at probably 10 am and another is at 1.30 pm (I can't exactly remember the time but it's sure you must get there before 1.30). by such water vehicle you have to cross Shahbazpur river to put your footstep at Hatia.The view of the river journey is really amazing.

You can land any islands of Hatia to go to Nijhum dip as your ease.I have landed an island called 'changir chor' from where I hired a taxi to reach Nijhum dip.But still it was not there.I had to cross a small branch of river Shahbajpur.After passing a 'durgom giri - kantar moru', I at last got the island.It was really a terrific 12 hours journey to Nijhum dip.But it was not all.There was a government boarding house.Some stupid staffs were demanding ridiculous price for a bed illegally.I had no choice.I spent the shivering winter night at the balconi with a thin chador at a price of 200 (there was no empty room). So be sure about your staying place.
The entire island was once full of mangrove forest.But nowadays new comers from different area of the country are coming here and  making their residences destroying beautiful forest.Isn't here any rule..it is like 'mogar mulluk'.
only one fourth area of this island having mangrove today.The condition of the existing trees is not so good.If you want to see deer it is best to get up before sunrise and start walking to forest.Don't forget to pick up a local person or you will not find the best spot where you can see the the beautiful deer families.

 

 The wonderful wildlife and mangrove of the Nijhum dip is on the verge of extinction today.It is one of the most beautiful place of our motherland.I pledge to the government to take necessary schemes to save this island or it will not survive in near future and we will lose our another glory. 

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Into the ancient pathway

When I made my first footstep in this area (once the realm of a king) I feel that I've just entered into an ancient world of kings,queens,their subjects,myths and legends. The wonderful hall the lord made me amazed.It is really fascinating to see the palace.Puthia rajbari was built by Rani hemantakumari devi in 1895 in honour of her mother-in-law Maharani saratsundari devi. At present Lashkarpur Degree College uses this building(which really hurt me to see).
There is a tradition that Nilambar received the title of Raja from Emperor jahangir (1605-1627 AD). A partition of the estate took place in 1744 when the eldest son received a 51/2-anna share while the three others received 31/2-anna each. The Puthia Raj estate maintained its existence till the abolition of the zamindari system under the East Pakistan Estate Acquisition Act of 1950.
Govinda Temple, Puthia
The two-storied Puthia Rajbari, which is the most notable structure in the area faces a four-storeyed large pyramidal dol mancha on the north, across an open ground and presents an imposing 60.96m frontage. It has two symmetrical projected wings at the east and west ends while its central part, about 15.24m wide, accommodates a grand portal.
Siva Temple, Puthia
A 3.05m wide verandah runs along the front and provides access to the large halls behind. The balcony roof is supported on three graceful semi-Corinthian fluted columns, rising up to the upper floor.
The central bay is relieved with a triangular pediment and the parapet decorated with delicate floral plaster relief. The broad verandahs of the terminal bays on the east and the west are carried on four lofty fluted Corinthian columns, similarly shooting up to the upper floor ceiling.

The extensive area of the estate, enclosed within a moat, has a number of elegant temples embellished with terracotta sculpture, eg the Pancharatna Govinda Temple, a beautiful little do-chala shrine behind the palace, the hut-shaped Jagaddhatri Temple on the west and the large Shiva Temple at the entrance of the estate. The Shiva Temple, a 19.81m square building, was erected by Rani Bhuvan Mohini Devi in 1823 AD on a high plinth and plastered all over. It is decorated with numerous miniature ratnas on the main tower and on the four smaller towers on the roof of the ground floor. The derelict Puthia palace is now in a state of progressive disintegrationThe grandest temple in Puthia, the Govinda Temple was erected in mid-nineteenth century by the queen of Puthia. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, as the Puthians were converted to Vaishnavism by Radhamohana Thakura. The temple has exquisite terracotta ornamentation depicting the divine romance between Krishna and Radha. The temple's survival is threatened by the newly-established college nearby and the lack of conservation efforts.

These wonderful structures are the glory of Bangladesh.

Government should take immediate steps to protect these wonderful structures.....and you should go to see this amazing halls.

Bagha Mosque situated at Bagha, about 25 miles southeast of Rajshahi town, survives in a fairly good state of preservation. The mosque was built on the western bank of a fairly large tank within a brick-walled compound, 48.77m square. The mosque compound could be entered by two old arched gateways - one on the north and the main one on the south comprising a simple oblong curved structure with a turret on either side.There are five arched openings in the east and two on either of the south and north sides. Inside the mosque there are three mihrabs at the western end of the three southern bays, a panelled design in the fourth and a smaller mihrab in the raised gallery in the northwestern corner. The interior of the mosque is divided into two longitudinal aisles and five bays by a row of four stone pillars. The mosque has therefore ten independent square divisions, each being covered by an inverted cup-shaped dome. The Department of Archaeology has reconstructed the present domed roof, as the original roof had collapsed in the earthquake of 1897.

Into the Birishiri

Where the hills sleep leaning against the sky,where the river flows with eternal symphony...if you want to visit such places then must go to Birishiri.I can guarantee you that this is the place which can pacify your mind with its incredible landscape.The herat of Birishiri is its very river Shomeshhori. Though last time I crossed the river on foot,I hope you will see a magnificent river flowing flawlessly when you'll visit this place.It's a wonderful experience to enjoy the beautiful landscape sitting at the sandy shore of Shomeshhori river when the sun starts to set behind the long distant hills.If you want to discover the whole area it will be wise to hire a rickshaw for 300-400 taka.There are few magnificent colorful ceramic hills and some small hills in India-Bangladesh border.

There is a missionary church at the top of a hill. Its quite and calm environment can refresh any torment mind.From the top of this hill the excellent landscape looks more excellent.There is also a BDR camp.You can visit through this with their permission.
There is a Ramkrishna Ashrom.It has nice structural beauty.It was established in 1936.

You can also visit through the village of local people.Few different tribes and bangalis live here together in peace.There harmonic relationship proves the rich ethnic establishment of this country.

How to go:

Birishiri is in Shushong Durgapur thana under Netrokona district.From mahakhali,Dhaka there is direct bus to birishiri.But if you are unlucky to get the road to Birishiri is bad(usually at rainy season)then the bus will stop at Shushong Durgapur.From here Birishiri is 2/3 miles away.If you can manage any tempo you can reach there easily and directly.It is a nice thing that you can spend a night at a very cheap cost(100/-per single bed) at YMCA.Price of food is also very low here.So don't late.Visit and enjoy Birishiri.