Baba Adam Shahid Mosque in Munshiganj

Baba Adam Shahid Mosque is an archaeologically significant mosque situated in Munshiganj District

. Baba Adam's Mosque shows all the decorative and architectural characteristics of the sultanate architecture of Bengal. This mosque, in fact, bears the mature form of the sultanate mosque style of this region (Bangladesh).

It is a six-domed mosque. An inscription, fixed above the central doorway in the east, records 888 AH/1483 AD as the date of construction of the mosque. Malik Kafur built it during the reign of Sultan Fateh Shah.

Baba Adam's Mosque is now protected monument under the Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh. It has been renovated and is in a comparatively good state of preservation. Besides the mosque there is a tomb known as Baba Adam's Mazar, where, according to a legend, Baba Adam Shahid, who died in a holy war, was buried.

It is difficult to ascertain the historicity of this tomb due to lack of authentic sources. There is a newly built small tomb structure situated on the south-east side of the courtyard of the mosque. Previously, there was no roof over the tomb.

The present tomb is square in plan (7.62m a side) and is undated and without any inscription tablet. The simple grave has no feature of architectural importance and the Department of Archaeology is not responsible for preserving it.

How to go

There are several transport is available from Dhaka to Munshiganj. The bus services are "Nayan Paribahan", "Dighir par Paribahan" and "Dhaka Transport", all of the buses used to start from "Gulistan" of Dhaka. It will cost you 60-80 taka, and will require 1 hrs to 2 hrs bus journey depending upon the road traffic.

Also you can hire CNG auto rickshaw from the "Postogola", and it will take you 250-350 to take you at Muktarpur Bridge. Remember, if you are hiring CNG; make sure who will provide the toll o

f the bridge. For you information, the toll fee is 20 taka. So negotiate with the driver of CNG about who will provide the toll. After crossing the river Dholeshwari, you will have to step off at Muktarpur Bus stand. From Muktarpur bus stand of Munshiganj sadar, it's just 2.5 km way to reach there.

Where to stay

Though the district is just beside the Dhaka, still it's hard to find a suitable hotel from the district. The main reason may be people from Dhaka used to come this place for a single day trip. But anyway, if you need to stay at Munshiganj town, that case I'll suggest you to stay at "Hotel Comfort" this one is the best from the town. Also you there is another one which is "Hotel three star international". But the quality of the rooms of this hotel is not that much good. For both cases, it will take 100-700 taka per night depending upon the room.

Things to do
*   Observe the architectural beauty of the Mosque
*  Interact with the local people to know about their knowledge and thinking about the mosque

Guliakhali Beach

Guliakhali sea beach is one of the lesser known beaches of Bangladesh. It is also known as Muradpur beach to the local people. The beach is full of greenery, which makes it special.

Location: The sea beach situated at Muradpur, Sitakunda in Chittagong Division. It is located 5 kilometers away from sitakunda bazar. 

Description: From artistic and structural aspects it is completely different from other beach. On one side of the horizon, the water is seen on the other side, while the Keora forest is seen on the other. Canow tree breathing around the canal flowing through the Keora Forest. This forest has gone deeper to the sea. Its environment is like the Swamp Forest and the mangrove forest. The green carpet of wide grass across the beach has made it bigger than other beaches. The narrow groove has been pierced through the middle of the green. The streams are full of water during tide. The unique position of birds, waves and wind mates is seen on this beach.

Chandpur The City of Hilsa Fish

Chandpur is popularly known as the city of Hilsa Fish in Bangladesh. The fame of Hilsa of Padma-Meghna River in Chandpur district is worldwide. Hilsa exploited from different rivers in different regions of the country are landed in plenty at Chandpur Fish Landing Center. The present study was conducted from August 2016 to November 2016 in Chandpur district. The aim of this study is to determine the supply chain analysis of Hilsa egg and to assess the prospects for effective management and monitoring of this trade and export potentialities. Primary data were collected from direct observation through personal interview following a structured questionnaire with the fishermen, fisher folk, retailer and local transporters. Secondary data were collected from the daily newspapers of Bangladesh both local and national. Hilsa eggs are collected from the landed Hilsa fishes that are lower grade in terms of quality. The eggs are packed in the plastic boxes which are then stored in large Styrofoam boxes covered with ice and then sold to sea food companies of Chattagram, Bangladesh. From them, the eggs are exported to different countries in the world including India, Malaysia, UK, USA, Saudi Arabia and some European countries. The trade and export channel should be monitored regularly whether it is done properly or not. Due to its export potentiality, the authority should give concern on its trade and make a plan for considering Hilsa egg as a value added product in the country’s market and abroad.

Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) is the single largest fishery of Bangladesh. It is the national fish of the country and it makes a huge contribution to the national economy and employment (Haldar, 2001). A Bengali proverb is “Macher raja Ilish” which means “Hilsa is the king of fish” (Sarker et al., 2016). Hilsa has secured recognition as the second geographical indication (GI) product of Bangladesh (“Hilsa recognised Bangladesh’s,” 2017).

Hilsa contributes about 12% to the total fish production and 1% to GDP. About 2% of the total population of the country is directly or indirectly involved in the fishery for their livelihood (DoF, 2018). Hilsa catches in Bangladesh represent about 60% of global hilsa production while remaining part comes from mainly India and Myanmar (Hossain, 2014).

Hilsa is a widely distributed clupeid species inhabiting the coastal waters mainly from Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal and ascending most of the estuaries, rivers and brackish water lakes of Indo-Pacific faunistic region for spawning purpose (De, 2001).

Hilsa is caught and landed throughout the year, the majority of landing (60-70%) is found during the peak breeding season (September-October). In this season, about 60-70% hilsa are found to be sexually mature and ripe (Rahman et al., 2009). Hilsa is a highly fecund fish that may produce up to 2 million eggs (Rahman et al., 2017). The upstream migration during the main breeding season depends largely on the commencement of the Southwest monsoon and consequent flooding of the major rivers of Iran, Bangladesh, Burma and India (Roomiani et al., 2014).

Chandpur is popularly known as the city of Hilsa in Bangladesh. The fame of Hilsa of Padma-Meghna River in Chandpur district is worldwide. Hilsa exploited from different rivers in different regions of the country are landed in plenty at Chandpur Fish Landing Center which is one of the biggest Hilsa landing centers in the country. Because of both tastiness and nutritional quality of Hilsa egg, the demand of Hilsa egg is good both in the country and abroad. Hilsa eggs are collected from Chandpur, and then transported to Chattagram and from there exported to abroad.

Neither research work has been done nor is relevant literature found on Hilsa egg trade in Bangladesh. The aim of this study is to determine the supply chain analysis of Hilsa egg and to assess the prospects for effective management and monitoring of this trade and export potentialities.

Rangamati, A land of Green Beauty

Rangamati, a small town located amongst the green hills, lakes and rivers of the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. This is what makes it a prime Bangladesh hill destination. It is known as the Lake City of Bangladesh as this place is located on the bank of the beautiful Kaptai Lake. It is the administrative headquarter of the Rangamati Hill District, the largest district of Bangladesh and located some 77 kilometres away from Chittagong. For long time Rangamati has been a prime Bangladesh tourist destination for its location, scenic beauty, colourful tribal people, tribal homespun textiles and ivory jewellery.

The rich natural resources, diverse flora and fauna makes Rangamati a Bangladesh Eco-Tourism destination. The road leading to Rangamati circles and winds through hilly terrains covered with lush green forests and creates a memorable experience for years to come. A stay here provides a glimpse into the lifestyle of various tribes living there. The ethnic tribes of Rangamati are the Chakma, Marma, Tonchongya, Tripura, Murong, Bome, Khumi, Kheyang, Chak, Pankhoa, and Lusai. The mix of different races, cultures, religions and customs creates an interesting community at Rangamati. It is said that without visiting Rangamati a tourist will miss a colourful slice of Bangladesh.

Visit Rangamati during October to February as the temperature remains cool and usually there is no rainfall, however, the beauty of Rangamati unleashes during the monsoon as the forest becomes greener, bursts with life and the rivers and waterfalls becomes replenished.

Rangamati Tourist Attractions:

• Kaptai Lake: This large man made lake of Bangladesh spanning over an area of approximately
  
  11000km², was created as a reservoir when the Kaptai dam was built during the 1960s. The lake was created by flooding valleys and plain lands between numerous hills. This created a picturesque view as forested hills and plateaus rise from beneath the water. The government run tourism corporation and private operators offer Kaptai Lake Cruise Tours, which is worth of it. Other scenic spots are also accessible through the waterways.  

 

• Shuvolong Falls: Shuvolong a place in Borokol sub district, located about 25kilometers
  
  (11kilometers – as the crow flies) away from Rangamati. There are few waterfalls in Shuvolong area with the largest one falling from as high as 300 feet. In the past several years, this place has turned into a tourist destination due to beautiful waterfalls and the nearby market. Shuvolong is easily accessible by speed boat or motor boats from Rangamati.

   

 

 

 

• Tribal Museum: The museum is located near the entry point to the city. Established in 1978, it is run by the Tribal Cultural Institute. Traditional ornaments. costumes, potteries, musical instruments, armaments, paintings and photographs, old manuscripts, statues and ancient coins of various tribes are on display here. It is open Saturday to Thursday excluding public holidays. 

 

• Hanging Bridge: This 335feet long bridge across a portion of the Kaptai lake is an icon of Rangamati.

• Kaptai National Park: This forest reserve is located in the Karnafuly and Kaptai range. According to the government statistics some 50,000 people visits the national park every year as it provides some walking trails among the lush green forest. The animal species of Kaptai National park are deer, elephants, monkeys, fishing cats and birds. The Kaptai Forest Rest house, Kaptai Mukh Forest Rest House and several picnic spots are located here.
   
• Rajban Bihar Pagoda: An internationally known Buddhist Temple, where the spiritualist principal monk of Rajban Vihara, Shrimath Sadhana Nanda Mohasthabir(Ban Vante) lives.
   

 

• Peda Ting Ting: A small island on the Kaptai Lake, few kilometres away from Rangamati. It is
  
  mostly known for its serenity. There are a few tourist accommodation facilities here and a tiny restaurant run by the locals. It offers foods ranging from traditional to indigenous delicacies.

• Chakma Royal Palace: This is the palace of the present Chakma King. However, it is open to
  
  public for a visit.

• DC Bungalow Area: The District Commissioner’s Bungalow is located adjacent to the lake. There is a small light house and a shelter accessible to the public. This spot provides a nice view of the lake.

• Others: The local market is also a tourist attraction as it offers handicrafts, textiles and ornaments made by the tribal people.