বুধবার, ১৭ ফেব্রুয়ারী, ২০১৬

Nijhum Dwip


Initially Nijhum Dwip or Nijhum Island was known as Char Osman, after the name of a brave settler Osman who established the first settlement with his buffalo & cattle. Later the government’s high officials have changed that name. But still in documents, the island is known as Char Osman. This island is an ideal place for tourists, especially during the winter.

A cluster of islands (mainly, Ballar Char, Kamlar Char, Char Osman and Char Muri) emerged in the early 1950s as an alluvium in the shallow estuary of the Bay of Bengal on the south of Noakhali. These new sandbanks first drew the notice of a group of fishermen, who named it Baular Char (literally, the alluvium of sand) later transformed into Ballar Char. Occupying an area of 14,050 acres the island situated between 21 0 1 / to 22 0 6 /north latitude and 90 0 3 / to 91 0 4 / east longitude.


Migratory Birds in Nijhum Dwip: During winter, thousands of migratory birds flock in to island. The fishermen use the airy and sunny land as an ideal place for drying their catches from the sea. Sometimes many of them also construct straw huts on the island as seasonal residences.

In 1974 the Forest Department took an afforestation program for a duration of twenty years in the north side of the island. Covering an area of nine thousand acres, it has now developed into a deep forest with a variety of plant species. Among the trees Keora is much seen. Besides this Gewa, Kankra, Bain, Babul, Karamja, Pashur and many other species are seen.


On 8 April 2001 the government declared the 40390 acres of forest of Jahajmara range including 9550 acres of forest land on Nijhum Dwip as a National Park for the protection and development of the biodiversity of the forest. But in practice, there a very lazy appearance of that declaration.
It was named ‘Nijhum Dwip’ by former Minister Amirul Islam Kalam in 1979 observing its isolation and mild nature.

The Opportunity of Deer watching if you stay at Nijhum Resort: At very early morning, a deer which was survived a flood in Nijhum resort area; comes at Nijhum resort everyday.You can feed it with your own hand.

Things To Do: 
  1. You can buy dry fish from local people.
  2. Enjoy this one of the most beautiful and popular island in our country.

Travel Tips:
  1. Do not leave any trace that you were there. Just return back silently, without disturbing the nature and the inhabitants of the island.
  2. Rivers around that part of the country have immense tide. So think again before having a swim on river.
  3. Act politely with locals. Do not get irritated by their continuum queries. Because it’s you who went there, not they.

Source: http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/nijhum-dip/
 

মঙ্গলবার, ১৬ ফেব্রুয়ারী, ২০১৬

Horinmara Kundo Waterfall


This waterfall is known as Horinmara Kundo Waterfall (হরিনমারা কুন্ড ঝরনা). The waterfall has a beautiful basin underneath with pristine green water that was slightly colder. The waterfall was dropping directly on that basin. And it doesn’t have any space at the front side (blocked by a small mound). That’s why it is not possible to get a full view of the waterfall from the front (or any places).


Once upon a time, this area was having a lot of wild deers. However, by the grace of our greedy human nature, they have almost been vanished. During that golden era, lot of deers used to come here near the basin to drink water. This basin was always filled with water regardless the season. And the deers used to slack their thirst from here. And we shameless human used to hunt them from here. That’s why the name of the waterfall is Horinmara Kundo Waterfall (হরিনমারা কুন্ড ঝরনা) or Horinkundo Waterfall (হরিনকুন্ড ঝরনা).


How To Go:

Dhaka and Chittagong are linked by road. You can take a bus from Dhaka to reach the district of Chittagong. Some of the bus services are listed below for our assistance.

1. Saudia Paribahan
Arambag, Phone: +88-02-7102465
Gabtoli, Phone: +88-02-8018445
Kalabagan, Phone: +88-02-9124792

2. S Alam
Contact: +880 31 636997, 611426

3. Hanif Enterprise
Panthpath: 0173-402670

Source: http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/horinmara-kundo-waterfall/

সোমবার, ১৫ ফেব্রুয়ারী, ২০১৬

Himchhari Waterfall


Many attractions are for the tourists around Cox’s Bazar. You can go Himchhari to see its Waterfall, this is famous for waterfall, though in the winter season it dwindles but during the rainy season it’s really a fabulous and full waterfall can be enjoyed.

Himchhari is a beautiful picnic spot surrounded by palm trees and bamboos. Himchhari is transformed into a colorful and fascinating panorama when the winter sun rises above hilltops and sets in the blue sea. It is only eight miles away from Cox’s Bazar town. A trip by jeep to Himchhari along the sea-beach at dawn is a rewarding experience. These charms attract the holiday makers to visit this picnic spot in large number.



Himchhari is just around 5 kilometers apart from the main town. You can reach at that place by any kind of vehicles. To enter the area, you’ll need to buy tickets. Which is around 20 taka. There is only two place that you can enjoy at the park, one is the falls, and another one is the top of the hill.

How To Go:

It is located 12 km south of Cox’s Bazar Town and 6 km from the Kalatali beach. From Kalatali stand, it is only 15-minute ride to entry if you take a taxi or chandergari (local transport). You can also rent a car from Bazar.

Things To Do: 

1. View the beautiful waterfall.
2. You can visit the Himchari National Park
3. You can see a Christmas tree close to the beach.

If you visit this district, you can buy some local products from here, for example the hand made products for household works, cloths made from local hand-loom.


Source: http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/himchhari-waterfall/


রবিবার, ১৪ ফেব্রুয়ারী, ২০১৬

Darashbari Mosque


Dasbari Mosque is located close to Ompur in between Sona mosque and Kotowali Dorja. Generations of local people say it as Dasbari. It is an abandoned place now. According to an inscription in 1497 during the reign of Sultan Shamsuddin Yousuf this mosque was built.



No explanations are found regarding how this mosque was named. It is modeled after the Chamchika mosque in India. Like Dasbari this mosque is built with terracotta bricks. Its circumference is so thick that during the month of Chaitra when it is so hot outside but it remains cool inside. The main dome here looks pretty attractive. North to the mosque there is a Dighi whose volume is 60 bigha.



How To Go: 

Thi spot is located in Chapai Nawabganj Sadar Upazilla. After reaching Chapai Nawabganj you may head there by bus or CNG auto rickshaw.

Things To Do:
  1. View the ancient architecture of the mosque.
  2. Click pictures for collection.

Source:  http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/darashbari-mosque/







শনিবার, ১৩ ফেব্রুয়ারী, ২০১৬

Pohela Falgun


This year once again we are going to celebrate the first day of spring Pohela Falgun. Spring or Boshonto consists of two months Falgun and Choitra. We celebrate the first day of Falgun to welcome Boshonto, the season of flowers and all the vibrant colours.

The advent of Falgun wipes away the dry and chilling elements of winter with a subtle touch of warmness. But how much do we know about Pohela Falgun apart from this that the girls roam around the DU campus wrapping themselves up in striking colours and that it is a great day for the love birds?

According to the history of Mughal period Emperor Akbar started the Bengali year in 1585 AD with the intention of collecting revenue by following the solar year. At that time nowroz or the first day of the Bengali year was celebrated with great enthusiasm. Emperor Akbar who was secular in nature abolished all Muslim festivals and introduced fourteen new festivals for the new Bengali year.

The names of the months were not like the present form at that time. It is not known exactly when they became Boiskakh, Jaishthya etc. but all these names were derived from the names of the stars.

The name Falgun came from the star Falguni. The reason behind the naming after starts is that in the Vedic Age (1500 BC) the rishis (ancient Indian scholars) had an obsession with astrology and the stars. Though they use to follow the solar year the mention of Falguni (spring) full moon in Vedic Literature suggests that lunar months were also calculated. Probably the traditional inclination of the rishis to the moon and stars led to the naming of the months after stars.

The significance of Pohela Falgun is very singular in our national life. The way we celebrate Pohela Boishakh and Pohela Falgun in Bangladesh these days started to flourish after the arousal of Bengali Nationalism in 1950s and 1960s.

After the Language Movement people of East Pakistan started to celebrate festivals which were related to the Bengali culture silently defying the anti-Bengali attitude of the then Pakistan Government.

Cultural bodies and general people started celebrating these events with Tagore songs which was banned in 1960s. So celebrating Pohela Falgun was not for having fun only at that time. It was a display of our nationalism.

In the pre-independence period these days worked as a way to flaunt Bengali Nationalism. Unfortunately fundamentalist elements are still in full swing in our country to spoil our national spirit. So it is time again that we start celebrating Pohela Falgun with a renewed enthusiasm with which it was celebrated in the pre-independence period.

The days Pohela Falgun and Boishakh are our two efforts at warding off fundamentalist and anti- nationalistic forces.

These two days are parts of our National Heritage and National History like the Independence Day, the Victory Day and the Language Martyrs Day.

These are meant not for fashion conscious people and love birds only. These days were and are a way to protest fundamentalism, a way to defy racist bans and to protect our national pride and glory.
Falgun (Bengali: ফাল্গুন) is the eleventh month in the বঙ্গাব্দ Bangla Calendar and the Bikram Sambat. The first of Falgun is known as “Pohela Falgun” and usually falls on the 13th February of the Gregorian Calendar.
“Pohela Falgun” symbolizes the festival of color, coherence of heart and a refreshing start of life. Nature, that seemed decayed recently, suddenly appears with full of infancy. Nature becomes colorful as flowers like Shimul, Polash, Mango, Rose, Marigolds blossom. Melody of birds or mild touch of the sunshine – everything will make you feel that springtime is the nature’s festival. The day will inspire you to fall in love, to be romantic.


On the occasion, girls are dressed in bashonti (yellow or orange) coloured saree and flowers in hair while boys wear colorful pajama and panjabi to welcome the arrival of spring.
The center point of this festivity is “Bakul-tola” of the Institute of Fine Arts (Commonly known as Charukola) of Dhaka University. The jingle of the celebration is "Esho mili praner utshabe" (Come, let us celebrate life together). Jatiya Boshonto Utshab Udjapan Parishad arranges the main celebration program of the day for over a decade. The celebration usually begins at around 7am in the morning. Thousands of young men and women gather in the morning and celebrate the day with signing songs, reciting poems and dancing. At around 10:00am a rally starts from Bokul-tola, it revolves round the TSC and later ends at Charukola.

The entire Dhaka University Campus and the Ekeushy Boi-mela becomes the best place to hang out with friends, family members and beloved ones.

Truly, Pohela Falgun brings colour and hope in the minds of people irrespective of age and life and living. Celebrate the day.
  

বৃহস্পতিবার, ১১ ফেব্রুয়ারী, ২০১৬

Shat Gambuj Masjid


This is one of the most beautiful and largest archaeological and historical Mosque in Bangladesh. This is a Holy place. It was made by red burn mud.it was decorated beautifully with terracotta flowers and foliage. The archeological beauty of this Mosque enchants the tourist very much. Besides this Mosque an attractive archaeological museum is there where you can find that times archaeological and historical materials. Near to this mosque you can also visit the Shrine of Khan Jahan Ali. The UNESCO has been recognized this Mosque as a World Heritage Site in 1983. At present a picnic spot has been established near this heritage site at the historical Ghora Dighi.
 
Location

Bagerhat,Khulna

How to get there

You can reach Bagerhat from Khulna by Bus. Direct bus service is also available from Dhaka to Bagerhat. The journey takes 5 or 6 hours. It is 6km away from Bagerhat city. You can go there by Rickshaw. Shrine of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali is only 3km away from Shat Gambuj Mosque. 

Source: http://visitbangladesh.gov.bd/shat-gambuj-masjid/

বুধবার, ১০ ফেব্রুয়ারী, ২০১৬

Saint Martin


Saint Martin is a small but very beautiful coral Island of Bangladesh. The Island is a very quiet, neat and clean place. Every corners of this Island has different look and are very attractive. Here you will find live and dead coral, lots of coconut trees that’s why its local name is Narikel Jinjira. Overnight staying in St. Martins Island is really an exotic feeling where you will feel and listen the sound of Sea. If you are lucky then you can spend the exotic moonlit night at St. Martins Island. The beauty of Full moon in St. Martins Island cannot be expressed, if you are not there at that time. Chera-dwip is a beautiful part of this Island, you can go there by boat. You can walk around the Island in a day. You can enjoy BBQ dinner with fresh marine fish or lobsters here.
 
Location

Saint Martin, Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong

How to get there

You can get Saint Martin’s Island by many way. You can come to Teknaf by bus. There are several bus service depart from Dhaka to Teknaf, bus fare is around BDT 850-950 non-A/C and BDT 1500-2200 A/C as of January, 2014. Maximum bus starts at night and the journey is near about 11-12 hours. From Teknaf, mid-level ships run daily and take around 2-3 hours named Kutubdia, Keari Sindbad, Sundarban Service. The fare starts from BDT 450 to BDT 2500 as of January, 2014. All the ships and cruises starts journey from Teknaf to Saint Martin around 9AM – 9.30AM and return journey starts from Saint Martin to around 3PM – 3.30PM. During the off-season (May-September) these ships are not provide services because of bad weather. The peak-season is October-April. Distance from Dhaka to the island is 510 km.

Source: http://visitbangladesh.gov.bd/saint-martin/