A cultural heritage that traces its origins back more than a thousand years, imposing archeological remnants that speak of the grandeur of past civilizations and dynasties; sandy white beaches and forest clad mountains, wildlife sanctuaries and with close to three hundred rivers and tributaries crisscrossing the nation, Bangladesh beckons offering pristine nature replete with a freshness that is bound to revive the most jaded, tour-weary traveler. Here we take a glimpse of some of the attractions that shonar Bangla has to offer.
Cox’s Bazar
Cox’s Bazar, the tourist capital of Bangladesh, gets its name after Captain Cox, an administrator in the days of the British Raj. The beachfront in Cox’s Bazar, famed for having the world’s longest unbroken sandy beach, over 120km of it, attracts tourists from around the world. The clean silvery sands slopping gently into the clear blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, against a backdrop of green forested hills, gives rise to a picturesque scenario that is attracting large investments into the country’s tourism industry. Besides the resplendent beach, Cox’s Bazar offers such attractions as ornamented temples and pagodas, a Burmese market and the vibrant culture of ethnic communities.
Kuakata Beach
A beauty spot on the southernmost tip of Patuakhali district, Kuakata has a wide sandy beach which affords the unique opportunity of watching both the sun rise and set in the Bay of Bengal from one spot. Kuakata is also a pilgrimage center for Hindu and Buddhist communities especially during the festvals of Rash Purnima and Maghi Purnima
Srimongol- the tea heaven
Located about 80 km from Sylhet town and connected by road and rail, Srimongol is known to host the largest tea gardens in the world. Covered by the lush green carpet of tea plants, it is called the land of two leaves and a bud and a visit to a tea plantation in Srimongol is a memorable experience.
Chittagong
The commercial capital and the largest international seaport of Bangladesh, Chittagong has been a seaport since the latter half of the first millennium CE. Located in a picturesque hinterland of large forested hills and lakes, Chittagong is also an attractive vacation spot, with a mild, salubrious climate. It combines the hum of a restless seaport with the placidity of a charming hill-town and served as an important military base for the British during World War II.
The Exotic Sundarbans
Lying at the mouth of the Ganges River, the Sunderbans delta is the largest mangrove forest land in the world. This UNESCO declared World Heritage Site consists of three wildlife sanctuaries, namely the Sundarban East Wildlife Sanctuary, Sundarban South Wildlife Sanctuary and Sundarban West Wildlife Sanctuary. Together these three sanctuaries spread over 1400 sq km constitute a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of mangrove forests that are home to rich biodiversity of exotic fauna and flora, including charismatic mega fauna like the Royal Bengal Tiger, the estuarine crocodile and the Ganges river dolphin or Susu. The Sundari tree, after which the Sundarban is named, is native to this forest.
Archaeological Heritage
From the largest and most ancient archeological site at Mahasthangarh in Bogra that dates back to 3rd century BCE, to a thriving Buddhist civilization that flourished in the northern and eastern parts of Bengal between the 7th and 12th century the footprints of ancient civilizations are present across Bangladesh.
Mahasthangarh, the oldest archeological site in Bangladesh, provides a spectacular sight with its fortified enclosure and ancient ruins of temples and mounds that radiate out in an 8 km radius from the enclosed center. The place, located 18km from Bogra town, is still revered as a Hindu religious site.
Paharpur, a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site, is the largest ancient Buddhist monastery and oldest seat of learning south of Himalayas. Located in Naogaon district, 5 km to the west of Jamalganj railway station, Paharpur covers an area of approximately 110,000 sq m
Muslim monuments, mosques and shrines that date back to beginning of Islam in Bangladesh are spread across the country. The Shait Gombuj Mosque or the Sixty domed mosque that was built in the 15th century is a magnificent brick structure in Bagerhat district. Khan Jahan Ali the earliest torchbearer of Islam to arrive in Bangladesh is credited with building over 300 mosques, mausoleums and other public buildings across the land.
Festivals
Dwelling in a land of torrential rains, mighty rivers and lush green paddy fields, the average Bangladeshi has a profound relationship with nature. Bangladesh is essentially a land of songs, music and dance celebrated during the innumerable festivals that span the Bangladeshi calendar.
Besides the two main Muslim religious festivals of Eid- ul- Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, there are several other festivals and fairs to bring out the Joie de vivre of the Bangladeshi. The biggest religious festival of the Hindi community in Bengal is the Durga Puja, in which Hindus participate with great enthusiasm.
Another festival gaining prominence and which is not related to any religion is Bengali New Year’s Day, or Pohela Baishakh. It is observed with great enthusiasm on the first day of Baishakh, which is a social festival with universal appeal in Bangladesh.
The second largest congregation of Muslims, after the annual Haj pilgrimage, is the annual Bishwa Ijtema, or ‘Tablighi Jamaa’. This annual global congregation of Muslims takes place on the banks of the River Turag in the town of Tongi, just north of the capital Dhaka. Over five million people from around the world are estimated to have attended the last Tablighi Jamaa. The event which focuses on religious discourse, prayers and supplication does not allow any political discussion so it attracts people of all persuasion. This three-day global congregation, which will be held again on two separate occasions in the years so as to make the crowds smaller and more manageable, provides an opportunity for Muslims from different parts of the world to meet and interact with one another.
Handicrafts
With a rich tradition in handicrafts, Bangladesh has an exquisite collection of artistic works on canvas, wood, cloth, brass and other metal ware. Gold, silver and the famous Bangladesh pink pearl jewelry are in high demand among connoisseurs of fine ornaments. Jute products, of which Bangladesh is the largest exporter, reed and bamboo products and leather goods, are some of the other handicrafts that are very popular among tourists and citizens alike.
Industry
The world’s leading clothing brands have now made Bangladesh their factory for high quality garments at cost effective prices; in 2011-12 the garment industry exported over $18 billion worth of products around the world. In addition to exporting cotton and silk garments the country is also among the leading exporter of ceramic tableware for global luxury brands. A nascent, shipbuilding industry has also emerged with orders pouring in from Germany and other European nations.
