SUNDERBANS

Everything you will happen to see or come across in the wild mangrove forests of the Sundarbans will irresistibly draw you towards them. The dazzling expanse of green, the blue heaven overhead meeting the horizon, the playful high tide and the ebb, the very smell of life in the air and the pristine sea beach-- you name it.

As if these won’t be enough-- there’s the naive lifestyle of the fishermen and demanding way of works of the forest rangers. Or you could catch yourself a fun ride by a small boat, if you are inclined to having more adventure.

The starlit sky pierced by speeding meteors leaving dazzling light in its trail, that very celestial sight of the milky way in clear sky, the roaming of satellites or even the fireflies moving close by-- all adds up to the adventure of a lifetime.

The eerie still of the forest shattered often by the chirping birds, deer and monkeys or roaring Royal Bengal Tigers can only be found in this part of the world close somewhat to civilization.

Just being there in a moonlit night can make you have the fascinating experience of being reborn-- all over again. But it is impossible to travel in this dense, wild forest without organized assistance. A well- equipped vessel is what you need to get first to be able to swan around in this barren land ran through by rivers and rivulets. Better if you have a skilled tour operator to fall back on, who can guide you through the splendour of the Sundarbans.

The Sundarbans forest, the largest mangrove forest in the world is situated in the south-west corner of Bangladesh. The total area of the Sundarbans reserved forest including the West Bengal portion, comprises of 10,000 sq. km., of which Bangladesh portion is approximately 6000 sq.km., inclusive of new emerging islands. The area is divided into 55 administrative forest compartments by the Department of forest and environment , each with a land area of 40 to 160 sq.km and divided into several islands. There are three wildlife sanctuary areas 'Kotka-Kachikhali Tiger point', 'Hironpoint' and 'Manderbaria', number of unexplored natural beaches, innumerable rivers, canals and creeks in the Sundarbans forest, one third of which is water body making the waterways as the only means to enter the forest. It is famous as the habitat for its semi-aquatic tigers, popularly known as the Royal Bengal Tiger. It has a fair amount of spotted deer, wild boar, rhesus monkey, salt-water crocodile, water monitor lizard, pythons, etc. The forest treasures 330 plant species, 35 species of reptiles, 400 types of fishes, 270 species of birds and 42 species of mammals. The Bengal tiger, biggest of the cat family, plays a very important role in the forest ecology as well as in the rich mythology and legend.

The forest dwellers gradually developed a culture of their own, having an isolated life from the main stream, which expressed itself in many ways, peculiarly suited to the local forest ecosystem. There are some rituals and religious festivals observed in the Sundarbans. Annual fair in the Dubla island on the day of Raash Purnima is observed in the month of November. Borderline Hindu community , devotees from different parts of the country including India gather in the Dubla island to bathe and make offerings against a wish. And the forest product collectors engaged in various profession, before entering the forest had been paying homage to certain gods and deities whom they thought to be their saviours and protectors. Banabibi is very widely worshipped as their saviour.

The Sundarbans over the years attracts adventurous forest product collectors, hunters, nature and wildlife lovers, researchers, and tourists. To extract different forest products each group has a professional name, like the 'Baolis' ( timber, fuelwood, and thatching materials collectors), the 'Jalias' ( fishermen of both inland and offshore), 'Moualis' (the honey collectors), and 'Jongrakhuta' ( gastropod collectors), etc. Professions like fishing with the help of tame Otter, honey collection, etc., are unique of the area. Gathering wild honey in the wildness of the Sundarbans is among the oldest professions practiced by the dwellers of the area and still practiced in the traditional ways. Honey hunter's community lives along the borderline of the western forests are mostly destitute day labourer, although they are descendents of their professional ancestors. Honey Hunting season continues for 3-months starting at the end March or beginning of the April every year.

The Sundarbans play an important role in the economy of the southwestern region of Bangladesh as well as in the national economy. It is the single largest source of forest produce in the country. The forest has been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1999.

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Shait Gumbudge: Built in 1459, it's numerous little domes and 4 short towers at the corners, is the largest and most magnificent traditional mosque in the country. Shait Gumbudge means the mosque with 60 domes. This single storey fortress- like structure is quite impressive from a distance, inside it is equally fascinating with a single huge sanctuary dominated by 60 slender stone columns. It is a world heritage site.

Khan Jahan Tomb: About 2km. east of Shait Gumbad is Khan Jahan tomb. Great Muslim saint Khan Jahan come to Bengal just after the sack of Delhi (1398) by Timur. Shait Gumbad Mosque one of his notable establishments. Khan Jahan died on 25 October 1459 (27 Zilhajj 863 AH) and was buried in the tomb built by himself. He is revered by people and numerous people visit his tomb.

Jagannath Temple : One of the finest examples in the country of the hut-shaped temple is the Jagannath Temple , which is about150m to the right (west) of the Rajbari. Dating from the 16 th the temple's western faced is finely adorned with terracotta panels of mostly geometric design.

Mongla Port : Mongla, 42km. south of Khulna . The port on the vast confluence of the Pusur and Mongla rivers has a string of freighters riding at anchor waiting to be loaded or unloaded at the new dockyards. It is the second largest seaport of Bangladesh . There are a good number of prawn hatcheries, it is a spectacular sight, specially towards the southern end, where dense jungle lines the banks.

Mujibnagar Memorial : The beautiful memorial dedicated to the first provisional revolutionary government of Bangladesh that was declared here on 14 April 1971 during the liberation war. A monument has been built to commemorate this event.

Shilaidaha kuthibari: Carries the memoriy of the noble laureate poet Rabindranath tagore who made frequent visits to this place and used to stay and enriched bengoli literature throw his writings during the time.


Sagordari: Located at a distance of above 90 km. From Jossore town. This is the birth place of modern bengali poet Michel modhusudan dutt who first introduce sonnet in Bengali poetry.


Lalon Shah (1774-1890): Lalon was a humanist who completely rejected all distinctions of caste and creed. He was also a fine poet and lyricist, whose songs are sung not only by his followers but also by non-Bauls. A modern complex and a research centre has been established at the site of his akhra. Thousands of Bauls come to the akhra twice a year, Dol-Purnima , in the month of Falgun (February-March) and in October, on the occasion of his death anniversary. Nobel laureate poet rabindranath tagore was also inspired by his songs.

Khodla Math Temple : It was built in 17 th century during Mughal times by a Brahmin. It has 20m high spire as it rises above the tree.It is about 11km. from Bagerhat.



Baro Bazar Mosque: This old pre-Mughal mosque, dating from the 15 th or early 16 th century, is a good example of a single –domed mosque following the traditional Khan Jahan Ali style, with thick walls, arched doorways, a square shape, spares exterior embellishment and a low semicircular dome. Not well-known by the locals, it's about 18km north-east of Jessore on the Jessore-Magura highway at Baro Bazar.

Shopnopuri: Shopnopuri is one of the most beautiful artificial tourist spot in North Bengal . You can go there either from Hili or from Dinajpur. There you can enjoy your full day watching this artificial beauty.

Kantanagar Temple : This is located about 12 miles north of Dinajpur town. It is one of the spectacular monuments in Bangladesh , built in 1752 by Pran Nath; a renowned Maharaja from Dinajpur.It is the countries finest existing example of the brick and terracotta style. The archways, vaults and columns is decorated with tiny figures and motifs in terracotta depict scenes from the great Hindu epics, particularly battle scenes.

Sonabaria Temple : The Sonabaria shyam sundar Temple , built in 1767, 15 years after the magnificent Kantanagar Temple of Dinajpur, is of the same nva-ratna (nine-Towered) style. Like Kantanagar, it's a square structure, rising in three diminishing storyes, and it is extensively decorated with terracotta art. It's only about half the size of Kantanagar, however, and not as beautiful or well preserved.