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

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park is an outstanding tourist spot in Bangladesh. The largest safari park of Asia. It is new and attractive visiting place. Everybody will be satisfied making a tour at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park.

 

Location

The Park is in Gazipur district which is just near to Dhaka city. At first, you have to go to Gazipur Chourasta. Then go forward along the Mymensingh road and come to Bagher Bazar. After that you have to choose the path of west side. You have to use rickshaw or CNG as transports to reach at the park. Bangabandhu Safari Park is three kilometers away from that place.

 

 

Difference between zoo and safari park

Zoo is the place where people are free and the animals are confined. On the hand, the environment is opposite in a safari park in which jungle environment is maintained. 

Inside of Safari Park

After getting inside the park, you will see tiger, lion, kangaroo and even dinosaur.  But these are not alive. All of these animals are sculptures indeed for welcoming the visitors. The whole park is consist of about 4000 acres of land. At present, 31 local and international species of animals are seen here.

You can start your visiting with “Tiger Restaurant”. It is a big and safe restaurant surrounded with glasses so that you can see the roaring tigers and take coffee or tea. The workers of the park can call the tigers and they respond to him. Your feeling will be that you are watching National Geographic or Animal Planet channel. After that you can start visiting with using microbus.

Now, come to the kingdom of lions. You can talk to them as you like. But never try to open the window of the microbus. If you see white lion, then you will be lucky enough. In fact, the lions move with vanity.

Move your transport forward to see more. You will see bear, deer, zebra, African wildebeest and more. The elephants are adorable. They will salute you according to the order of worker of the park.

You can watch ziraffs going to nearer to them. Don’t disturb them and take some snaps. You have to use transport for moving and visiting some areas. You should walk watching the other areas.

You will be happy seeing macao birds. If you wish, you can take a snap with this macao keeping on your shoulder. But, keep safe your ears. Grey parrots are very much attractive.

Another great area of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park is Fancy Ducks Garden. You will see a lake here. Get on a boat and watch big black swans, white swans etc. Try to look at the beauty of various kinds of birds.

Never forget to visit the areas of crocodile, vulture, emu, ostrich etc. Make a visit to see python and various reptiles. It will be enjoyable if you see peacock.

Additional Info
Entry fee: TK 50/per adult (age below 5 free)
Food: Inside park (light food available)
Weekend: Tuesday

Lawacherra Rain Forest

Lawacherra Rain Forest, Sylhet is one of the most well-preserved &the important forests in Bangladesh. It is the perfect place where you will get to see rich flora and fauna of the valley of Sylhet.Today the Lawacherra Rain Forest in sanctuaries and national parks, collectively known as Protected Areas are the best place to see green Bangladesh. Lawachara rain forest is one of the major national park/sanctuary/reserve in Bangladesh. In 1997 Bangladesh government declared it A National Park.

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Hoolock gibbons is one seriously endangered higher primate in Bangladesh. And also Slow Loris, Pig-tailed Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, Assamese Macaque, Capped Langur, Phayre’s Leaf-monkey, Jackal, Wild Dog, Sloth Bear or Himalayan Black Bear, Yellow-throated Marten, Tiger, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat, Wild Pig, Sambar, Barking Deer, Indian Giant, wile bore and even King Cobra settle their presence. Local elders speak of leopards roaming the jungle, but those have long been extinct. Birds of different species are found here. Khasia, Monipuri, tripura are the main inhabitants of this forest. They have rich cultural and religious heritage. It’s also tourist attraction. They make their villages high on hilltop in deep forest and so far from town.

Lawacherra Rain Forest is a two hour drive from Sylhet. Getting Lawachara NP from Dhaka, daily bus services are available from Dhaka to Srimongal every hour and take about 3.5 hour. Accommodation facilities are abundant in Srimongal. Facilities include entry-level Tea Town Guest House, mid level Sandya Hotel and high-end Tea Resort. Lodging is also available at BTRI Rest House. Here you will find suitable accommodation. The mini bungalows of the Tea Research Institute are available.

National Botanical Garden

The National Botanical Garden of Bangladesh, also referred to as Bangladesh National Herbarium, is the largest plant conservation center in Bangladesh, with an area of around 84 hectares (210 acres). It is located at Mirpur in Dhaka, beside the Dhaka Zoo. It was establishes in 1961. It is one of the greatest botanical gardens of Bangladesh and a tourist destination. Baldha Garden in the Wari area of Dhaka is administratively part of the National Garden.

   

Collections

Bangladesh National Herbarium's collection of plant and tree species is large. The garden houses about 56,000 individual of trees, herbs, and shrubs including huge collection of aquatic plants. Rare and exotic plant species in the garden include:

• Anthurium (Anthurium crystallinum) 
•  Camphor (Cinamomum camphora)
• Rabbit fern (Davallia canariensis)
• Dambia (Dombeya spectabilis)
• White rangan (Ixora superba)
•  Little mussanda (Mussaenda luteola)
• Victoria amazonica
• Harhjora (Vitis quadrangularis)
•  African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata)
• Sambucuas (Sambucus nigra)
• White Chandan (Santalum album).

 

Other facilities

A modern vegetative propagation arrangement and a tissue culture laboratory have been established in the garden for propagation of rare species. Initially, tissue culture of orchids and other rare species have been adopted. Besides, a huge rose garden, criss-crossing lake, watch deck, artificial water fall, bridge over the lake and above all the thousands of migratory birds in winter are the main attractions of the National Botanical Garden.

Maintenance

The garden is well planned and provides learning and recreational facilities adjacent to the Dhaka Zoo. It is divided into 57 sections, and is managed by Forest Department under Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of Bangladesh.

Madhabkunda Waterfall

Madhabkunda waterfall is one of the most attractive tourist spots in Sylhet division. Lots of tourists and picnic parties come to Madhabkunda every day for their enjoyment. You can go to Madhabkunda either from Sylhet if you go by road or from Kulaura if you go by train. 

 

From Kulaura rail station its about one hour journey by microbus to Madhabkunda. The journey to Madhabkunda itself is exotic. On the way you can see the greenish beauty of tea garden, the hills and the zigzag road through the hills will increase the joy of your journey. In Madhabkunda you will see the great waterfall – falls of million tons of water form 200ft. height. Big bolder of stones and the black stones in giving a shape of care in Madhabkundu. There is a Parjatan Motel with a good restaurant for accommodation and fooding.

There is also a district council Bunglow for night stay. Here you can enjoy adventurous feelings to stay in a jungle. All you need to have a prior booking for the bunglow from Moulvibazar Zilla Parishad office.

Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban (Parliament House)

Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban (Bengali: জাতীয় সংসদ ভবন Jatio Shôngshod Bhôbon) is the National Assembly Building of Bangladesh, located in the capital Dhaka. It was created by architect Louis I. Kahn and is one of the largest legislative complexes in the world. It houses all parliamentary activities of Bangladesh.

Historical information

There have been nine national elections in Bangladesh. The first and second Parliaments used the Old Shangshad Bhaban, which currently serves as the Prime Minister's Office. Construction of the Jatiya Shangshad Bhaban began in 1961 by the Government of Pakistan as a permanent building for the federal legislature of both West and East Pakistan. However, it was the eighth (and last) session of the second parliament of Bangladesh that first used it on 15 February 1982 after its construction was completed on 28 January of the same year. The Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban has been in operation and has acted as the sole complex used as the National Assembly ever since. Jatiya Shangshad was designed by Louis Kahn. First, Muzharul Islam was given to design Jatiya Shangshad Bhaban by the government. But, Islam brought his teacher Louis Kahn into the project to do a signifant work for future generation. But, Muzharul Islam assisted Kahn at the project.

Data

• Beginning of construction: 1961
• Cost of construction and design: Tk. 129 crore or 1.29 billion (=1,290,000,000)
• Inauguration: 28 January 1982
• Architect: Louis I. Kahn
• Total area: 200 acres (800,000 m²)
• Location: Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Number of Parliaments: 7 (seven)
• GIS coordinates: 23.762465°,90.378545°

Architecture and design

Louis Kahn designed the entire Jatiyo Sangsad complex, which includes lawns, lake and residences for the Members of the Parliament (MPs).

Location and basic layout

The enclave, situated in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, is bounded by four major streets:

• Lake Road to the North;
• Rokeya Sarani to the East;
• Manik Mia Avenue to the South; and
• Mirpur Road to the West.

The main building (the Bhaban) is divided into three parts:

1. The Main Plaza: 823,000 square feet (76,000 m²)
2. South Plaza: 223,000 square feet (21,000 m²)
3. Presidential Plaza: 65,000 square feet (6,000 m²)

The main building is at the center of the complex. The outer parts of the complex include the MP hostel. An intricately designed lake surrounds the main building.

Design philosophy

Kahn's key design philosophy optimizes the use of space while representing Bangladeshi heritage and culture. External lines are deeply recessed by porticoes with huge openings of regular geometric shapes on their exterior, shaping the building's overall visual impact.
In the architect Louis Kahn's own words:

“

In the assembly I have introduced a light-giving element to the interior of the plan. If you see a series of columns you can say that the choice of columns is a choice in light. The columns as solids frame the spaces of light. Now think of it just in reverse and think that the columns are hollow and much bigger and that their walls can themselves give light, then the voids are rooms, and the column is the maker of light and can take on complex shapes and be the supporter of spaces and give light to spaces. I am working to develop the element to such an extent that it becomes a poetic entity which has its own beauty outside of its place in the composition. In this way it becomes analogous to the solid column I mentioned above as a giver of light. It was not belief, not design, not pattern, but the essence from which an institution could emerge...

”

:: Ahsan Manjil, :: Lalbagh Fort, :: Central Shahid Minar

Ahsan Manjil

 

Built in 1872 and standing on the river Buriganga, this stately building offers the visitors a feeling of the life-style of the Nawabs of Dhaka. Sometimes known as the Pink Palace, this building now houses a splendid museum.

Basically, it was the residence of the Nawabs. Nawab Abdul Gani renovated this building in the year 1872 and named it after his son Khaza Ahasanullah.

On the bank of river Buriganga in Dhaka the Pink majestic, Ahsan Manjil has been renovated and turned into a museum recently. It is an epitome of the nation's rich cultural heritage.

Todays renovated Ahsan Manjil a monument of immense historical beauty.

It has 31 rooms with a huge dome atop which can be seen from miles around. It now has 23 galleries in 31 rooms displaying of traits, furniture and household articles and utensils used by the Nawab.

Open 9 am- 5 pm from Saturday to Wednesday and 3-5 pm on Friday. Thursday is close.

Lalbagh Fort

 

The fort of Aurangabad, popularly known as the Lalbagh Fort, was built in 1678 AD by the then Viceroy of Bengal Prince Mohammad Azam, son of the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. The fort has a three storied structure with slender minarets at the South Gate. It has many hidden passages and a mosque of massive structure. Outstanding among the monuments of the Lalbagh Fort are the Tomb of Pari Bibi (Fairy lady) and Audience room and Hummam Khana (bathing place) of Nawab Shaista Khan, now housing a museum.

The fort was the scene of bloody battle during the first war of independence (1857) when 260 spays stationed here backed by the people revolted against British forces. It is one of the great historical places of Mughal era. A small museum is there in this fort where you will find the clothes and weapons of the Mughols.

Lalbagh fort is in the old town of Dhaka at Lalbagh. It is open 10 am-5 pm Sunday to Friday & Saturday is closed.

The capital city Dhaka predominantly was a city of the Mughals. In hundred years of their vigorous rule successive Governors and princely Viceroys who ruled the province, adorned it with many noble monuments in the shape of magnificent places, mosques, tombs, fortifications and 'Katras' often surrounded with beautifully laid out gardens and pavilions. Among these, few have survived the ravages of time, aggressive tropical climate of the land and vandal hands of man.

But the finest specimen of this period is the Aurangabad Fort [commonly known as Lalbagh Fort], which indeed represents the unfulfilled dream of a Mughal Prince. It occupies the southwestern part of the old city, overlooking the Buriganga on whose northern bank it stands as a silent sentinel of the old city. Rectangular in plan, it encloses an area of 1082' by 800' and in addition to its graceful lofty gateways on southeast and northeast corners and a subsidiary small unpretentious gateway on north, it also contains within its fortified perimeter a number of splendid monuments, surrounded by attractive garden. These are a small 3-domed mosque, the mausoleum of Bibi Pari the reputed daughter of Nawab Shaista Khan and the Hammam and Audience Hall of the Governor. The main purpose of this fort was to provide a defensive enclosure of the palatial edifices of the interior and as such was a type of palace-fortress rather than a siege fort.  

Central Shahid Minar

Symbol of Bengali nationalism. This monument was built to commemorate the martyrs of the historic Language movement of 1952. Hundreds and thousands of people with floral wreaths and bouquet gather on 21 February every year to pay respect in a solemn atmosphere.