Travelling
in Eid Vacation
Ashim Kumar Paul
Eid ul-Fitr marks
the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. The word, Eid has been
derived from Arabic language meaning “festivity”, while Fitr means "to
break the fast". It is celebrated starting on the first day of the Islamic
month of Shawwal. Eid has a special meaning to the Muslim community. It brings
happiness to the people from all walks of life regardless of age, social
differences.
In today’s busy, chaotic
world, where everyone is always on the move to reach his desired position,
achieve his goal. It is often thought that people have forgotten about the
craving souls that seek to be free from the shackles of busy world. In this
regard, Eid brings about a great opportunity for those who remain engrossed in
their unrelenting work-loads. The vacation of Eid breaks the monotony of life.
Almost everyone enjoys the break during the Eid vacation. So, if you want to
keep your soul contented with the blissful sight of nature’s gifts, it is the
time to go out!
It is really sad but true that we often long for
visiting abroad to enjoy our Eid vacation but there are many places across our
country where one can go to visit during Eid. Truly, there are many
eye-catching spots across our country that can soothe your soul worn-out by the
heavy pressure of works and strains. Even, because of your intimate contact
with nature, your latent creative soul may wake up and weave some precious
lyrics!
Cox’s Bazar
Cox’s Bazar is
known for its wide sandy beach also claimed to be the world’s longest natural
sandy sea beach. It is an unbroken 125 km sandy sea beach with a gentle slope.
Thousands of tourists are drawn to Cox’s Bazar every year. Cox’s Bazar has
become a top tourist attraction owing to the opportunities of bathing and
swimming in shark free warm waters. Besides, the unique opportunity to observe
the beauty of sunset behind the waves during evening allures the visitors.
After that tourists can flock to the markets located near the shore and in the
town. Typical items including conch shell showpieces, locally made
cigars, hand-woven clothes and handicrafts are available there.
In addition to
its beautiful sea beach and sunset, Cox’s Bazar also has some other tourist
attractions. Laboni beach, Inani beach, Himchari are citable tourist zones
amongst others. Besides St. Martin’s Island, drifted amidst the
immense blue water of the Bay of Bengal, is country's only coral island. Its
local name is Narikel Jinjira. One can reach there by engine boat across the
Bay from Teknaf.
Jaflong
Jaflong located in
Gowainghat Upazila of Sylhet district and situated at the border between
Bangladesh and the Indian state of Meghalaya is a natural tourist spot. It is
just below the mountain range. It is totally a hilly area of real natural
beauty where hills are greenish with the forests. Jaflong is famous for its
stone collections and is home of the Khasia tribe. Jaflong is also a scenic
spot amidst tea gardens. Jaflong draws tourists for its beautiful panorama.
Collection of Rolling Stones, colorful tribal (Khasia) life, Khasia Rajbari
(king’s palace), Dauki & Piyain Rivers, Tea Garden, Orange & Jackfruit
Gardens, Betel leaf & Areca nut Gardens and Dauki Bazar are worth-noting
attractions of Jaflong.
Madhabkunda Waterfall
Madhabkunda is
surrounded by verdant tea estates and full of water lilies. The highest waterfall of Bangladesh is the waterfall
of Madhabkunda. The height of the Madhabkunda waterfall is 61m or 200 ft. The
Madhabkunda waterfall in Sylhet is a famous tourist destination for its natural
beauty. Located amidst the lush green mountains Madhabkunda makes for an ideal
tourist destination. Every year thousands of tourists are drawn to
Madhabkunda. They come for picnics or longer pleasure trips. It is in the
district of Moulvi Bazar, about 5 km from Dakhinbagh railway station, and 350
km from Dhaka city. Everywhere a lot of rubber & lemon plantations are seen
to form a beautiful landscape.
Srimongol
Srimongal is famous
for having 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’. Tourists
can have a look at the terraced tea garden and pineapple, rubber and lemon
plantations. The visitor to a tea estate is greeted by sweet smell and a pretty
landscape that can captivate ones imagination. About 80 km from Sylhet town and
connected by road and rail Srimongal is known as the tea capital of Bangladesh.
A visit to a tea plantation in Srimongal can be a memorable experience.
Mahasthangarh
Mahasthangarh
located at a distance of 18 km north or Bogra town on the western bank of the
Karatoa river is the oldest archaeological site in Bangladesh. The
Mahasthangarh site museum is rich with wide variety of antiquities, ranging
from terracotta objects to gold ornaments and coins recovered from the site.
Now it is one of the major tourist spots maintained by Bangladesh Archeological
Department. Also noteworthy are the shrine or Shah Sultan Bulki
Mahisawaiy and Gokul Medh in the neighbourhood of Mahasthangarh.
Sundarban
The Sundarbans, for
its importance as a reservoir of biodiversity, has been recognised globally.
The attractions of this forest are many. The mangrove bolsters a unique
assemblage of flora and fauna. The flora of the Sundarbans includes Sundari,
Keoral, Gewa, Golpatal, Goran and Passur while the fauna includes the legendary
Royal Bengal Tiger, squirrel, rhesus monkey, barking deer, wild boar, dolphin
etc. Of the reptile species, there are the estuarine crocodiles, pythons,
lizards, flap-shelled spotted turtles and green turtles.
The forest is a
bird-watchers' paradise as it is the abode of varieties of rare and colourful
birds like the pond heron, kingfisher, cattle egret, little egret, golden
plover, white-beaked vulture, fishing eagle, white-breasted eagle, red jungle
fowl and so on. The noteworthy beauty spots of the Sundarbans are Katka,
Kachikhali, Karamjal, Nilkand Hironpoint, Dublar Char etc.
Kuakata
Kuakata, locally
known as Sagar Kannya (Daughter of the Sea), embodies a rare picturesque site
on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh. At Kuakata, superb blend of the quaint
natural beauty, sandy beach, blue sky, huge expanse of water of the Bay and
evergreen forests are really eye-catching. It holds the unique exquisiteness that
presents the absolute view of the rising and setting of crimson sun in the
water of the Bay of Bengal making 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
delightful as is walking or diving.
