Shimul Bagan, Sunamganj

‘Shimul Bagan’ is situated Tahirpur, Sunamganj. "Shimul Bagan" is Bengali form of "Bombax Garden" . It appears like a field of Bombax that has been decorated by imaginary colors. This garden was built 14 years ago on 2400 decimals of land by a businessman named Joynal Abedin, because of his personal desire. In spring, it catches the eyes of the tourists when the flowers bloom together in over 2000 trees.

 You can see the trees covered in flower only February 15 to March 10

How to go??? 

    By Train: If you want to go by train, you have got to go Sylhet at first. The train leaves the Komolapur station of Dhaka at 9:30pm. Shovon Chair will cost  320 Tk. you must book the ticket by going for 2-1 days before casting. You can book the ticket from Online. You'll reach Sylhet at morning. Get on the Birotihin bus from the Kumarga bus stand in Sylhet to go to Sunamganj. Fare is 90 Taka.  It will take 1 to 2 hours.

 

    By Bus: Shyamoli / Green line /Ena Paribahan  from Dhaka to Sunamganj fare taka 500-550.

After reaching Sunamganj, First you need to hire  motorbike with a biker. Theirs many of them r waiting. Talk to them to visit the Barek Tila River Bank, Generally, they charge 200 takas. It is possible to go Tk 150 or less! Two passengers can ride at the same time. In this way, They take 100 takas per person.

 

After crossing the ferry with Tk 5, Barek Tila, which goes on to the other side of the river, from which the beautiful Zadukata river can be seen.There are some tea stalls left from Barek Tila. Ask anybody about Shimul Bagan, they will show you the path

 

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

Ratargul Swamp forest

A swamp is a wetland that is forested. Many swamps occur along large rivers, where they are critically dependent upon natural water level fluctuations. Other swamps occur on the shores of large lakes. Some swamps have Hammock (ecology), or dry-land protrusions, covered by Aquatic vegetation, or vegetation that tolerates periodical inundation. The water of a swamp may be Fresh water, Brackish water or Seawater. Some of the world’s largest swamps are found along major rivers such as the Amazon, the Mississippi, and the Congo.

Ratargul is a fresh water swamp forest situated in Sylhet by the river of Goain. Freshwater swamp forests, or flooded forests, are forests which are inundated with freshwater, either permanently or seasonally. The water comes here from the adjacent Goain River. 

This evergreen forest is getting submerged under 20 to 30 feet water in some part during rainy season. It’s a good source of different local fish. It’s the habitat of different snakes, monkeys, lizards, insects & birds. You would have seen vulture & Eagle if you are lucky. Some part the forest gets so narrow that you can’t go by boat. You will get the flavor of Amazon forest here.

Anyone can reach Sylhet by bus, train or by Plane. Dhaka to Sylhet by bus will take around 6 hours. Sylhet Ambarkhana point to Goainghat bazaar by CNG 300-400 tk, 1.5 hours. Goainghat boat stand to Ratargul Bit office by big boat 800 tk, 1.5 hours. Bit office to Ratargul forest by small boat 200-300 tk.

Ratargul forest to Motorghat 20 minuets and finally Motorghat to Ambarkhana ghat by CNG 60 tk/person, 1 hour.

You can return from the swamp forest and stay at any hotel in Sylhet Town....

Shrine of Shah Amanat

The Shrine of Shah Amanat is another place of religious attraction, located in the heart of the town; the shrine is visited by hundreds of people everyday who pay homage to the memory of the saint.

Kuakata Daughter of the Sea

Kuakata, locally known as Sagar Kannya (Daughter of the Sea) is a rare scenic beauty spot on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh. Kuakata in Latachapli union under Kalapara Police Station of Patuakhali district is about 30 km in length and 6 km in breadth. It is 70 km from Patuakhali district headquarters and 320 km from Dhaka. 

At Kuakata excellent combination of the picturesque natural beauty, sandy beach, blue sky, huge expanse of water of the Bay and evergreen forest in really eye-catching. From its seashore you can watch both sunrise and sunset. The coconut trees increase the scenic beauty of this seashore. The main tourist season is in winter but all over the year tourists visit this place. In Kuaka you can visit the life style of tribe Rakhains, who are very friendly to the tourist and visitors. 

 

You can visit Buddhist Temple where you can see the statue of Goutom Buddha and two wells of 200 years old. Local name of the well is Kua and Kata is a local name of digging a well; so was the name Kuakata. Fisherman village is another place where you can visit and watch the lifestyle of the Fisherman.

If you are adventurous you may also go for fishing on the fishing boat if you can manage the local fishermen. That will give you pleasure and experience, which you won’t be able to gather from anywhere else. In the fishermen village you will find the fishermen coming back from the fishing and you can purchase some fresh Hilsha fish from them, and by the side of village there are some local restaurants from where you can get the Hilshas cooked and ready for eating. You will remember the wonderful taste of the fresh Hilshas of Kuakata for a long time. From Kuakata you can visit to a part of the great Sundarban forest, which is called Gangamoti Reserve Forest. Don’t forget to visit Fatra’s Chor another tourist place nearby Kuakata. 

Kuakata is one of the rarest places, which has the unique beauty of offering the full view of the rising and setting of crimson sun in the water of the Bay of Bengal in a calm environment. That perhaps makes Kuakata one of the world's unique beaches. The long and wide beach at Kuakata has a typical natural setting. This sandy beach has gentle slopes into the Bay of Bengal and bathing there is as pleasant as is walking or diving. 

Kuakata is truly a virgin beach-a sanctuary for migratory winter birds, a series of coconut trees, sandy beach of blue Bay, a feast for the eye. Forest, boats plying in the Bay of Bengal with colorful sails, fishing, towering cliffs, surfing waves everything here touches every visitor's heart. The unique customs and costumes of the 'Rakhyne' tribal families and Buddhist Temple of about hundred years old indicate the ancient tradition and cultural heritage, which are objects of great pleasure Kuakata is the place of pilgrimage of the Hindus and Buddhist communities. Innumerable devotees arrive here at the festival of 'Rush Purnima' and 'Maghi Purnima'.

On these two days they take holy bath and traditional fairs are held here. All these additional offers to panoramic beauty make the beach more attractive to the visitors. One should visit Kuakata and discover the lovely grace of Bangladesh.

Means of Communication: There exists road communication between Dhaka and Patuakhali district headquarters. Accessible by road, water or air transport up to Barisal. Then one may travel by road or water to Kuakata or Patuakhali. From Dhaka you can go to Patuakhali by bus & from there by microbus to Kuakata. It is advisable to go Patuakhali by launch, which is an overnight journey, and you can enjoy the unique beauty of Bangladesh Rivers at nighttime during this journey. Instead of Potuakhali you can go to Khepupara by launch, which is also an overnight journey and from Khepupara you can go to Kuakata by microbus. A direct BRTC bus service is also available from Dhaka to Kuakata that leaves from Sayedabad Bus terminal at night takes 12 hours to reach Kuakata. But it might be a hectic bus journey as a number of ferries are there on the way to Kuakata by road. BRTC has introduced direct bus service from Dhaka to Kuakata via Barisal.

Where to stay: There are some hotel and motels in Kuakata where you can stay, but Holiday Homes is the best place to stay in Kuakata. It is a motel of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation and its better if you confirm your booking from Dhaka in advance.

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