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.