EXPERIENCE BANGLADESH: Refreshing and much more.....

 Come to Bangladesh and experience tourism in a new light -- refreshing and much more. Bangladesh in its essence is perhaps best symbolised by the Brahmaputra. In Bangladesh, it is also known as the Jamuna, the Padma and finally the Meghna before it opens into the sea. The Brahmaputra is a river of timeless, mythical proportions. This is a journey through time, a journey that explores the dynamics of river, itself an enduring legend -- and the people who live along its diverse shores. The journey is both geographical and spiritual -- from the Bay of Bengal to the source, from Islam through Hinduism and Animism to Buddhism. It is also a journey through the maze of cultures that sit outside the mass religious and cultural practices of South Asia. It is the story of the people, cultures and customs of a river that is older than the Himalayas, older than time itself.

For Bangladeshis the river is alive. A life-giver through its offerings, and death itself in fury. At its widest, the banks are separated by miles.

Again on this river under the looming monsoon sky, fishermen haul in their catch of Paddar Ilish (Hilsa from the Padma). Life on the river is changing. The sail boats that used to ply this mighty river are now rarely to be seen. The plaintive Bhatiali song is being replaced by the drone of the 'shallow' engine. Over fishing has reduced the harvest for the fisherman. But still, the river remains central to the Bangladeshi way of life, and Abbasuddin's songs still drift across the waves of the majestic Brahmaputra.

This deltaic land, its unspoilt verdure, the warmth of a hospitable people, their ancient heritage cradled in pristine folds of nature is again vibrantly contemporary, the modern bridging today with the romance of yesteryears.

Getting to know Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a new state in an ancient land. Much has been written about the past glory of Bangladesh, notably in old records like the evidence of Pliny and Periplus of the Erythrean Sea (first century AD). It was drawn in Ptolemy's map. These indicate that from the earliest times Bangladesh was known to the West, particularly for its Muslin, the finest fabric the world has ever produced. Travellers and scholars who were attracted by the charms and fame of Bangladesh since time immemorial had showered effusive epithets on its bounties and wealth, affluence and prosperity, craftsmanship and cultural advancement.

Bangladesh has an area of 148,393 sq km and occupies the apex of the arch formed by the Bay of Bengal into which all the rivers flowing through the country drain. Bangladesh has one of the most complex river systems in the world numbering about 230 with their tributaries having a total length of about 24,140 km. The climate of Bangladesh is characterised by high temperature and high humidity, heavy rainfall and marked seasonal variation. Daily temperature ranges from 10° C to 12° C in the cool months and in the other months it varies between 28° C and 40° C.

The land

The landscape of Bangladesh is a magical tapestry in green woven intricately by nature. Across the tropic of cancer it lies in the north-eastern part of South Asia between latitudes 20° - 34' and 26° 38' north and longitudes 88° 01' and 92° 41' east. The country is fenced by India on the west, north and the Northeast, Myanmar on the Southeast and the Bay of Bengal on the south. Strategically located Bangladesh is virtually a bridge between South and Southeast Asia. It has a landmass of 1,48,393 sq. km criss-crossed by a network of several major rivers, their numerous tributaries and canals forming a lace of interconnecting channels. The extensive river systems are fundamental to the country's economy and the people's way of life.

Bangladesh has some of the world's most fertile agricultural lands accounting for abundant growth of various crops. The north-eastern and south-eastern parts of the country are dotted with small hills and ridges, their average elevations being 244m and 610m respectively. The highest peak Keokradong in the south-east end of Bandarban district 1230 meters above the sea level. Thus with its variegated topographical features Bangladesh appears like a vibrant motif splashed with enchanting beauty and serenity.

The Sundarbans: call of the wild

The Sundarbans is a cluster of islands with an approximate area of 6000 sq. km. forming the largest block of littoral forests. Its beauty lies in its unique natural surrounding. Thousands of meandering streams, creeks, rivers and estuaries have enhanced its charm. Sundarbans meaning beautiful forest is the natural habitat of the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer, crocodiles, jungle fowl, wild boar, lizards, rhesus monkey and an innumerable variety of beautiful birds. Migratory flock of Siberian ducks flying over thousands of sail boats loaded with timber, golpata (round-leaf), fuel wood, honey, shell and fish further add to the serene natural beauty of the Sundarbans. In recent time Sunderbans has been decleared as a Natural World Heritage site.

The hill districts: colours of ethnic diversity

The Hill Tracts are spread across three districts, namely Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban and consist of four valleys surrounded by the Feni, Karnaphuli, Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers and their tributaries. The ranges or hills of the Hill Tracts rise steeply thus looking far more impressive than what their height would imply and extend in long narrow ridges.

The Kaptai Lake is the largest man-made lake, spread over 680 sq. km. of crystal-clean water flanked by hills and evergreen forests lies in the Rangamati Hill District. The lake was formed when the Karnaphuli river dam (153 feet high, 1800 feet long crest) was built for the purpose of hydroelectric power project at Kaptai.

Tribal life: The Hill Tracts are inhabited mostly by colourful tribal people. Majority of them are Buddhists and the rest are Hindus, Christians and animists. They retain traditional lifestyle which is strongly displayed in their rites, rituals and everyday life. The tribal families are matriarchal. The women-folk are more hard-working than the males and they are the main productive force. The tribal people are extremely self-reliant, they grow their own food, their girls weave their own clothes and generally speaking, they live a simple life. Tribal people are generally peace loving, honest and hospitable. They usually greet a tourist with a smile.

Archaeological Sites and Monuments

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. The major archaeological sites are:

Paharpur: Paharpur is a small village 5 km. west of Jamalganj 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 7^th century archaeological find covers approximately an area of 27 acres of land. The entire establishment, occupying a quadrangular court, measuring more than 900 ft. externally on each side, has high enclosure-walls. The architecture of the pyramidal cruciform temple is profoundly influenced by those of South-East Asia, especially Myanmar and Java.

A small site-museum built in 1956-57 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 plaques, images of different gods and goddesses, potteries, coins, inscriptions, ornamental bricks and other minor clay objects.

Mahasthangarh: Mahasthan, the oldest archaeological site of Bangladesh is on the western bank of river Karatoa 18 km. north of Bogra town beside Bogra-Rangpur Road. This 3^rd century spectacular site is an imposing landmark in the area having a fortified, oblong enclosure. 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.

Mainamati: An isolated low, dimpled range of hills, dotted with more than 50 ancient Buddhist settlements of the 8^th to 12^th century A.D. 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.

Sonargaon: About 27 km. from Dhaka, Sonargaon is one of the oldest capitals of Bengal. It was the seat of Deva Dynasty until the 13^th 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.

Kantanagar Temple: 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 monument rightly claims to be the finest extant example of its type in brick and terracotta, built by Bengali artisans. 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.

Shait-Gumbad Mosque: 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. 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 multidomed mosques in Bangladesh, known as the Shait-Gumbad Masjid (160'X108').

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.

Chhota Shona Mosque: One of the most graceful monuments of the Sultanate period is the Chhota Shona Masjid or Small Golden Mosque at Gaur in Rajshahi, built by one Wali Muhammad during the reign of Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah (1493-1519). Originally it was roofed over with 15 gold-gilded domes including the 3 Chauchala domes in the middle row, from which it derives its curious name.

Ahsan Manzil: The Ahsan Manzil, palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka stands on the north bank of the river Buriganga in Dhaka. The pink majestic Ahsan Manzil has been renovated and turned into a museum recently. Today’s renovated Ahsan Manzil a monument of immense historical beauty. It has 31 rooms with a huge dome, the top of which can be seen from miles around. It now has 23 galleries in 31 rooms displaying of traits, furniture and household articles used by the Nawabs.