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Ahsan Manzil |
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Ahsan Manzil Museum:
On the bank of the river Buriganga in Dhaka the pink majestic Ahsan Manzil has been renovated and turned into a museum recently. It is an example of the nations rich cultural heritage. It was the home of the Nawab of Dhaka and a silent spectator to many events. Today's renovated Ahsan Manzil is 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 displaying portraits, furniture and household articles and utensils used by the Nawab.
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Curzan hall |
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Curzon Hall:
Beautiful architectural building named after Lord Curzon. It illustrates a happy blend of European and Mughel architecture.
Dhaka Zoo:
Popularly know as Mirpur zoo. Colorful and attractive collections of different local and foreign species of animals and birds including the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger are available here.
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National Museum |
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National Museum:
Centrally located, the museum contains a large number of interesting collection including sculptures and paintings of the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim periods.
Botanical Garden:
Built on an area of 250 acres of lend at Mirpur and adjacent to Dhaka Zoo. One can have a look at the zoo and the botanical garden in one trip.
National Park:
Situated at Rejendrapur, 40km. north of Dhaka city. This is a vast (1,600 acres) national recreational forest with facilities for picnic and rowing etc.
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Central Shahid Minar |
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Central Shahid Minar:
Symbol of Bengali nationalism. This monument was built to commemorate the martyrs
Sundarbans
Located at about 320km. West of Dhaka. Here in the south, spread over an area of about 6000 sq. km. of delta swamps along the coastal belt of Khulna is the biggest
mangrove forest, Sundarbans (beautiful forest) - the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger. These dense mangrove forests are criss-crossed by a network of rivers and creeks. One find here tides flowing in two directions in the same creek and often tigers swimming across a river or huge crocodiles basking in the sun. Other wildlife in this region is cheetahs, spotted deer, monkeys, pythons, wild
bears and hyenas.
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Sundarban |
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The
forest is accessible by river from Khulna and Mongla. There are rest houses for
the visitors to stay and enjoy the unspoiled nature with all its charm and
majesty. Spending some times inside the forest can be a rare treat for the
lovers of nature. BPC offers package tours to Sundarbans.
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Kaptai Bridge |
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Kaptai
Kaptai
is an upazila under Rangamati district. It is famous for hydro-electric project.
A panoramic man-made lake called Kaptai lake (680-sq. km.) in the midst of hills
has added to its beauty. A pleasant and picturesque drive of 64 km. from
Chittagong brings you to huge expanse of emerald and blue water ringed with
tropical forest. Only 3 km. from Kaptai along Chittagong road,
lies the ancient Chit Morong Buddhist temple having beautiful Buddhist
statues.
Kuakata
A
rare scenic beauty spot on the southern most tip of Bangladesh in the district
of Patuakhali. It has a wide sandy beach from where one can get the unique
opportunity of seeing both the sunrise and sunsetting. It is located at a
distance of 70 km. from the district headquarters of Patuakhali. Accessible by
road, by air to Barisal and then by road, by river vessel.
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Kuakata Sunset |
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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.
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
colourful 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.
Tamabil & Jaflong
Situated
amidst splendid panorama, Tamabil is a border outpost on Sylhet-Shilong road,
about 55 km. away from Sylhet town. Beside enchanting views of the area one can
also have a glimpse of the waterfall across the border from Tamabil. Jaflong is
also a scenic spot nearby amidst tea gardens and rare beauty of rolling stones
from hills.
Mainamati
An
isolated low, dimpled range of hills, dotted -with more than 50 ancient Buddhist
settlements of the 8th to 12th century A.D. known as Mainamati-Laimai range are
extended through the centre of the district of Comilla.
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Mainamati |
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Salban
Vihara, almost in the middle of the Mainamati-Lalmai hill range consists of 115
cells, built around a spacious courtyard with cruciform temple in the centre
facing its only gateway complex to the north resembling that of the Paharpur
Monastery.
Kotila
Mura situated on a flaftened hillock, about 5 km north of Salban Vihara inside
the Comilla Cantonment are is picturesque Buddhist establishment. Here three
stupas are found side by side representing the Buddhist "Trinity" or
three jewels i.e. the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Charpatra
Mura is an isolated small oblong shrinesituated about 2.5 krn. north-west of
kotila Mura stupas. The only approach to the shrine is from the East through
agateway which leads to a spacious hall.
The
Mainamati site Museum has a rich and varied collection of copper plates, gold
and silver coins and 86 bronze objects. Over 150 bronze statues havo been
recovered mostly from the monastic cells, bronze stupas, stone sculptures and
hundreds of terracotta plaques each measuring on an average of 9" higli and
8" to 12" wide. Mairiamati is only 114 km. from Dhaka City and is just
a day's trip by road on way to Chittagong.
Cox's Bazar
Located
at a distance of 152 km. to the south of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar is the tourist
capital of Bangladesh. Having the world's longest unbroken (120 km.) beach
sloping gently down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal against the
picturesque background of a chain of hill covered with deep green forests, Cox's
Bazar is one of the most attractive tourist spots in the world. Miles of golden
sands, towering cliffs surfing waves, rare conch shells, colorful pagodas,
Buddhist temples and tribes, delightful seafood - these are specialties of Cox's
Bazar.
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Cox's Bazar Sea Beach |
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The beach is good for bathing, sunbathing and swimming. The breath-taking beauty of the sun-setting behind the waves of the sea is captivating. Attractive local
variety of cigars and handloom products of the Rakhyne tribal families are good buys. Their unique customs and costumes attract visitors.
Cox's
Bazar is connected both by air and road from Dhaka and Chittagong.
Visits to the fascinating picnic spot at Himchari, Teknaf, Buddhist temple at
Ramu and nearby island of Sonadia, St. Martin and Mohaskhali are memorable
experience of one's lifetime.
The
Aggameda Khyang, Cox's Bazar : Equally elaborate in plan, elevation and
decoration is the Aggameda Khyang near the entrance to the Cox's Bazar town
which nestles at the foot of a hill under heavy cover of a stand of large trees.
The main sanctuary-cum-monastery is carried on a series of round timber columns,
which apart from accommodating the prayer chamber and an assembly hall, also is
the repository of a large of small bronze Buddha images-mostly of Burmese
origin-- and some old manuscripts. Beyond the main khyang to the south there is
an elevated wooden pavilion and a smaller brick temple with a timber and
corrugated metal root. Apart from bearing an inscription in Burmese over its
entrance the temple contains some large stucco and bronze Buddha images.
Himchhari
: It is about 32 km. South of Cox's Bazar along the beach, a nice place for
picnic and shooting. The famous "Broken Hills" and waterfalls here are
rare sights.
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Himchhari |
Inani Beach |
Inani
: It is about 32 km. South of Cox's Bazar and just on the beach, with the
sea to the west and a background of steep hills to the east. Inani casts a magic
spell on those who step into that dreamland. It is only half an hour's drive
from Cox's Bazar and an ideal place for Sea-bathing and picnic.
Maheskhali
: An island off the coast of Cox's Bazar. It has an area of 268 square
kilometers. Through the centre of the island and along the eastern coast line
rises a range of low hills, 300 feet high; but the coast to the west and north
is a lowlying treat, fringed by mangrove jungle. In the hills on the coast is
built the shrine of Adinath, dedicated to siva. By its side on the same hill is
Buddhist Pagoda.
Ramu
: This is a typical Buddhist village, about 16 km. from Cox's Bazar, on the
main road to Chittagong. There are monasteries, khyangs and pagodas containing
images of Buddha in gold, bronze and other metals inilaid with precious stones.
One of the most interesting of these temples is on the bank of the Baghkhali
river. It houses not only interesting relics and Burmes handicrafts but also a
large bronze statue of Buddha measuring thirteen feet high and rests on a six
feet high pedestal. The wood carving of this khyang is very delicate and
refined.
The village has a charm of its own. Weavers ply there trade in open workshops
and craftsmen make handmade cigars in their pagoda like houses.
Sonadia
Island : It is about seven kilometer of Cox's Bazar and about nine square
kilometer in area. The western side of the island is sandy and different kinds
of shells are found on the beach. Off the northern part of the island, there are
beds of window pane oysters. During winter, fisherman set up temporary camps on
the island and dry their catches of sea fish.
Teknaf
: Southernmost tip of Bangladesh, Teknaf situated on the Naaf river and just
at the end of the hilly regions of the district. Mayanmar is on the opposite
bank of Naaf river. Wild animals and birds are available but the most
interesting thing is a journey on the river. Wide sandy beach in the backdrop of
high hills with green forests is an enchanting scene never to be forgotten.
Mahasthangarh
Located
at a distance of 18 km. to the north of Bogra town. Mahasthangarh is the oldest
archaeological site of Bangladesh on the western bank of river Karotoa. The
spectacular site is an imposing landmark in the area having a fortified long
enclosure. Beyond the fortified area, other ancient ruins fan out within a
semi-circle of about 8-km. radius. Several isolated mounds, the local names of
which are Govinda Bhita Temple, Khodai Pathar Mound, Mankalir Kunda, Parasuramer
Bedi, Jiyat Kunda etc. surround the fortified city.
This
3rd century BC archaeological site is still held to be of great sanctity by the
Hindus. Every year (mid-April) and once in every 12 years (December) thousands
of Hindu devotees join the bathing ceremony on the bank of river Karatoa. A
visit to the Mahasthangarh site museum will open up for one a wide variety of
antiquities, ranging from terracotta objects to gold ornaments and coins
recovered from the site.
Also noteworthy are the shrine of Shah Sultan Bulki Mahisawary and Gokul Medh in the neighborhood of Mahasthangarh.
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Paharpur |
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Paharpur
In
Paharpur, a small village 5 km. west of Jamalganj railway station in the greater
Rajshahi district, the remains of the most important and the largest
known monastery south of the Himalayas has bee excavated. This 8th century
A.D. archaeological find covers approximately an area of 27 acres of land. The
entire establishment occupies a quadrangular court, measuring more than 900 ft.
and from 12fh to 15ft. in height with elaborate gateway complex on the
north. There are 45 cells on the north and 44 in each of other three sides
with a total number of 177 rooms. The architecture of the pyramidal
cruciform temple is profoundly influenced by those of South-East Asia,
especially Myanmar and Java. It had taken its name from a high mound,
which looked like pahar or hillock. A site museum built recently houses
the representative coactions of objects recovered from the area. The
excavated findings have also been preserved at the Veranda Research museum
at Rajshahi. The antiquities of the museum include terracotta plaques,
images of different gods and goddesses, potteries, coins, inscriptions,
ornamental bricks and other minor clay objects . It has been
declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.