Sonargoan, Panam Nagar deserve special attention

Country's significant archeological sites like Sonargoan and Panam Nagar need to be protected for the benefit of posterity and to attract tourists.
"These historical sites are in danger of being lost for lack of coordinated programmes to protect those," Abdullah Al Mamun, a former student of Islamic History and Culture department of Dhaka University, told the news agency recently.

Mamun said Sonargoan as a historical place that bears many symbols of archeological development of ancient Bengal and theses should be protected by the authorities concerned for the next generation. "It's a place which can attract tourists from abroad too."
Khadiza Akhter, a tourist from Dhaka, said the government should take immediate steps to provide transport facility, especially bus services up to the spot, so that people from capital Dhaka can visit the place comfortably.read more..

A walk to remember: Timeless Mughal magic

In 1608, Dhaka was made the capital of the vast eastern provinces of the mighty Mughal Empire, then at the zenith of its power. From then on, the term “Puran (Old) Dhaka” frequently appeared in the journals of Mughal generals. Within 100 years, it was transformed from a garrison town, into a flourishing, cosmopolitan city with a population of approximately 700,000, and an impressive 11-mile long waterfront.

Continuing its efforts to inject passion into heritage awareness, the Urban Study Group (USG), led by passionate architects Homaira Zaman and Taimur Islam, has 90 percent of Old Dhaka monuments and buildings surveyed and listed. For yet another flavour of the old town, one doesn't regret taking their Mughal Walk early on a Friday morning.

Across the long-reclaimed Dholaikhal, at the edge of Tanti Bazaar, the narrow streets lead to the Bongshal Talaab. Making an appearance in the 1908 version of the Cadastral Survey map, the roughly 100-year-old water tank is one of the few remaining in Dhaka and maintained by the community. It costs Tk 2 for an unlimited stay in the water, but a local panchayat member laments that sewage is leaking into the pond, killing the fish. The USG dreams of beautifying the area by relocating the surrounding timber merchants (kathpatti), transforming the area with a pedestrian zone and cafes.

Totally modified buildings seem to be the norm in Kasaituli (butcher's market), the next maholla (neighbourhood), but within the concrete jungle, the Kasaituli Jaam-e mosque stands out like a dull jewel. The 125-year-old edifice is known for its intricate chini tikri mosaics and boasts unique enamel work. While the façade is well preserved, some older portions were compromised when the interior was recently renovated, the main chamber too perfectly remodelled.

Homaira explained, “Tiles are now used for the mosaic, obliterating the 3D effect of the original chini tikri. The old imperfections are gone; the new surfaces appear flattened.” Although built much later, the mosque displays typical Mughal period features, including a fluted dome sitting on an octagonal drum, flanked by two smaller side domes. Characteristic cusp arches divide the inner chamber into three. Several octagonal turrets are topped off with carved finials. Residents throw buckets of water against the outer walls to remove the dust, revealing amazing floral patterns in cobalt blue, emerald green, red and gold, glinting in the sunlight.

Turn back as you walk on to Mahut-tuli to see the enormity of challenges the USG faces in the form of haphazard new construction. On the border of what used to be the elephant keepers' neighbourhood and the old Armenian quarter Armanitola, lies the Star Mosque, its large central and two lateral domes, as the name implies, covered in blue stars. Said to have been built in the early 19th century, a substantial veranda was added about 80 years ago. Pretty Japanese floral tiles, some of them identical to those seen in Tanti Bazaar houses, were added at that time. The use of architectural ceramics became popular in Dhaka in the 1870s; today the insides of thermos flasks are used to create a modern version of chini tikri. In the 1980s, two further domes, one large and one small, were built as part of a northern extension, destroying the centrality of the Mughal-style mosque. The original main dome rests on the drum of a so-called half dome, typical of a genre of Mughal mosque architecture in Bengal.

Next door is the red-bricked Armanitola Boys' School, in 1904 Raj-style architecture. It was in the late 17th century that Armenian traders arrived and settled in Dhaka, gradually getting involved in politics, urban and social development. Affluent Armenian families built their own houses on marshy, reclaimed land, the jute industry flourishing under their beneficence in the mid 1800s.

On Noor Baksh Lane, clusters of houses with common courtyards can be seen, a regular feature of Dhaka's Muslim neighbourhoods. Among these lies landowner Abul Hasnat's 120-year-old mansion, with stained glass rose windows and wooden beamed ceilings, where two branches of his descendants still reside. From the swords displayed on the walls to the ornate, carved furniture, the once-upon-a-time grace of the house can be imagined.

Of the few remaining Mughal period structures is the 250-year-old Taqui House, once belonging to Syed Taqui Mohammed of Mughal elite lineage. The multi-cusp arched building serves as Mohammadi Begum's Imambara (Shia shrine), where the local Ashura (Muharram mourning) procession begins. Unlike other parts of Old Dhaka, Taimur and Homaira don't need to persuade the owners to preserve the houses here; happily, the awareness to save some part of the past lies ingrained in these old-world families.

Then quickly pass through Maulvi Bazaar, built on the untraceable ruins of Mukim Katra caravanserai, constructed in the 1600s, into further caravanserai territory. Built in 1644 during the Mughal glory days, for Shah Jahan's son Shah Shuja, Subedar (Governor) of Bengal, the highlight of the trip is the Bara Katra. Ensconced in a jumble of buildings, it could easily be missed. The South Gate is quietly imposing and only two of the four turrets remain. “It's comparable to many of the structures that were built in Delhi or Agra during Shah Jahan's time,” Taimur is pleased to add. Local merchants have set up shop in the cavernous side rooms that were once used for goods storage.

Through the gatehouse, walkers are able to pass under the dome, a steep, jagged climb to the very top for a view of the Buriganga in the distance. Seeing that heritage conservation was a sensitive issue, the USG organised an art exhibition at a local school, which helped building bridges all around. Leaving via the Jail Gate, back out to colourful Chawk Bazaar, the largest fresh produce market in town, the walk is over after four hours. Endless permutations of the route are possible; email usg.dhaka@gmail.com for more information.

The writer is a freelance contributor

Picture: http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2009/05/30/2009-05-30__a02.jpg

(source link: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=90498)

Dhaka hosts 'Asia's largest photography festival'

Dhaka became a city of photographs from Friday, as Chobi Mela-V kicked off, "Asia's largest photography festival", according to its organisers.

Featuring over 60 exhibitions with 1,000 works by artists from 33 countries, the festival's launch featured two outstanding intellectuals Mahasweta Devi and Noam Chomsky taking on the subject of 'Freedom', the theme of this year's Mela.

Indian social activist, Magsaysay award winner and writer Devi inaugurated the festival by cutting the ribbon for an exhibition titled 'A Long Walk to Freedom', recreating the life and history of Nobel peace laureate Nelson Mandela, at the National Museum.

She later 'met' with renowned linguist, political philosopher and author Chomsky by live video conference at the Goethe Institute to discuss the festival's theme in a lively hour-long debate that began at 8.30pm.

Shahidul Alam, director of the festival says the world mostly associates photographs from Bangladesh with poverty, floods or cyclones.

"Our aim was to move away from this tradition and show the world photographs of every type of joy and sorrow."

The Chobi Mela, first launched in 1993, will run from Jan 30 to Feb 20 this year and its aim is to attract visitors from all walks of life.

"Over sixty exhibitions, over thirty participating nations, well over a thousand images, and over fifty visiting artists from Asia alone, are impressive statistics, but the emphasis on figures is misleading," say the festivals' organisers.

"The dozen or so workshops, the weeklong sessions of presentations, debates, lectures and discussions … will perhaps be what the visitors remember the most."

The works of top class photographers from Bangladesh and around the world will be shown at 63 exhibitions in 11 venues around the capital, including prominent galleries and open spaces like Karwan Bazar.

source: bdnews24.com

Bangladesh heading for a world-class tourist venue

You are looking for a hectic, active and chaotically lively vacation or an escapist relaxation, Bangladesh has something for you - be it in city of Dhaka or the dockyard of Chittagong or along the spectacular coastline of Cox's Bazar.
Dhaka, the vibrant capital of Bangladesh is known as a city of mosques and muslin. Its main waterfront is Sadarghat and the bank of the river Buriganga is crowded with yachts, motor launches and fishing boats.
Taking off from Gulshan, one of the most expensive areas of Dhaka and driving through Baridhara and the Vasundhara residential areas, we came across a camp where people meet before taking off for the holy pilgrimage. After crossing the airport we moved towards Uttara and via Ashulia headed for Savar to see the National Martyr's Monument.
On the way we drove past the Turaag River where a big annual congregation takes place. People assemble for three days and on the last day community prayers are held. We had to drive past Fantasy Kingdom, an amusement park built on the lines of Disney World before we reached the National Martyr's Monument. It draws considerable crowds during weekends and school vacations. While some rides are sure to scare even the bravest of hearts, it is truly a fun place for the entire family. As we approached the National Martyr's Memorial we could see the monument with pointed spikes from a distance. It stands tall to speak of glorious victory and the subsequent triumph. The 45-metre tower tapers upwards on 7 isosceles triangles depicting positive stages of the national movement that finally led to independence.
The struggle for the honour of the National language - Bangla began in 1952 and went through mass upheavals in 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, and 1969 and eventually in 1971. 30 lac (3 million) Bangladeshis died for their freedom.There are 10 graves in the 84-acre area. Within the boundaries are a well-maintained artificial lake, a garden, an open-air stage and a reception chamber.
Twin helipads add to the grandeur. The department of architecture has done all the construction and it cost 130 million Taka (CDN 3.6 million).
The foundation stone was laid on 16 December 1972 and renowned architect Saiyad Mainul Hossain designed the main tower. Bangladeshi cuisine rightly enjoys wide popularity. This is because of its fresh ingredients and subtle balance of flavours. The legendary kachhi biryani is a must-have, to be followed by Borhani - which is curd with different spices. Your meal is finally complete with dhaniabhaja (fried coriander seeds). In Dhaka fish is sold in pieces and not by their weight. One hot favourite is Rupchanda. A single large piece in delicious hot curry may set you back by 150 Taka (CDN 4). The mouth-watering hilsa is also found in abundance.
We returned via Ashulia to catch a glimpse of boats lined up in a row. However, another return route can be through the Gabtoli area. Our next stop was at the Mirpur Zoo where the chief attraction for foreign nationals is the majestic and now fast disappearing Royal Bengal Tiger. The nearby Botanical Gardens stretch for more than 200 acres and contribute to education, research, careful preservation of plants and recreation for people from all walks of life and diverse age groups. We drove towards the Parliament House and the car moved along Panthopath, the Press Club area, Rail Bhavan and the Secretariat. In the Gulistan area we saw the 60,000 seating National Stadium. We came to the General Post Office, the President's house and then were off to Motijheel - downtown Dhaka where traffic is really heavy. A trip to Dhaka would be incomplete without a tricycle rickshaw ride. A stop at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi was next. This was his residence, now transformed into a memorial. It has a big collection of photographs from his lifetime. Dhaka's top seat of learning is its University and we strolled in to see some students hurrying to their classes through the huge corridors while others lazing under the shades of the trees in the campus. A stop at the grave of famous poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was next.
From an appreciation of nature to wonderment at historical achievements and artistic delights the National Museum is an absolute must-visit. As you enter, a huge map of the country with light bulbs can pinpoint the places you are searching for. You come across the rich collection as you keep walking through the palatial building. Boulders from the Tista riverbed found at Dahlia, Patgram and Rangpur catch the eye. Fourth century BC punch-marked coins and silver coins of Mainamati from the eighth and ninth centuries are the envy of any numismatist. So are coins of the Delhi Sultanate (1175-1552) - (Md. Ghori, Iltutmish, Adil Shah) On the second floor is an impressive 12 ft 6 in eleventh century pillar in black stone from Dinajpur. Zircon from Kalatoli in Cox Bazaar, corals, plants, dahlia flowers, marigold, lemon grass and timber plants along with ingredients of earth quartz are well stored too.
Details of herbal medicine learnt and practiced through the method of trial and error can be found in the museum. It clearly states that on offer are some clear therapeutic values and some of dubious efficacy. But indeed these opened up new horizons in chemotherapy or the scientific study of chemistry of medicinal plants. Beautiful sea conch shells and butterflies are a delight to watch. Innumerable priceless porcelain vases and musical instruments grace the National Museum. Of great interest to most tourists from India is the carpet of Nawab Siraj -ud -Daulah as is a 94 inch ivory mat made in Sylhet. The mat was used in weddings and the bride and groom sat on it to receive guests. The ivory throne of the Maharaja of Dinajpur (18 century A.D.- 19 century A.D.) is a landmark in craftsmanship. (by Sam Mukherjee)

400 Years of Dhaka

Walking by the narrow lanes of Tantibazar one will see a small wooden door almost hidden in the midst of congested buildings.

On entering the premises the visitor will be greeted by an exquisitely ornate temple standing at the centre of a small plot.

This Radha Ballabh Mandir is another richly ornate temple at Tantibazar that faces the risk of losing its surface decoration, said experts.

The decorative staircase of the temple leads to its veranda and then to a simple chamber for worship on the first floor. It has a store at the ground floor level now used for residential purposes.

The unique features of the 300-year old temple have turned it into an exquisite gem ensconced in the traditional architectural fabric of Tantibazar.

"We are celebrating 400 years of Dhaka with much enthusiasm and colour when our heritage sites are getting tattered just in front of our eyes," remarked an elderly local.

According to conservation architects, the temple bears the architectural characteristics of the 19th century period of aestheticism movement.

"In the decorations we can see a blend of ceramics and chini-tikri. Regular geometrical patterns and lightweight ceramics were used in the designs," said Taimur Islam, a conservation architect of Urban Study Group.

Surface relief, raised platform, projected floral motifs, ornamental grills, cluster columns, concentric arches, decorative pediment, and cartouches are some of the important features of the temple, he said.

"But the most distinctive feature is the decorative iron works in the risers between the stairs," he added.

Taimur said the temple has no structural problem but all its deterioration is in the surface level. The delicate works of the temple are at risk of ruination because of lack of proper care.

"Restoration works will be possible if we have the detailed documentation of the temple and technological know-how of the chini-tikri and the ceramic works and if we can collect enough funds for the job," said Taimur.

The family, known as the traditional caretaker and owner of the temple, now lives in two rooms inside the compound without any basic urban facilities. The family is looking after the temple for seven generations.

According to the caretakers, their forefathers Bala Hari Roy and Madan Mohan Roy built the temple around 300 years ago.

Today they are living without any electricity connection, any supply of gas and water and without any sewage system inside the temple compound.

“Our electricity line was cut because we did not have the money to pay the bills and we have to use the water of this well,” said Bina Roy, a member of the family, showing a small old well half-filled with unclean water.

"Our two tenants left without paying the rent. Now our only source of income is one tenant and a shop inside our compound from which we get only Tk 1,000," said Bina's daughter Basanti Roy.

"A group of local influential people are creating pressure on us to leave the temple because it is a nice place for commercial purposes," she alleged.

Day out on a cruise

Bangladesh, a riverine country, is crisscrossed by rivers. Viewing nature and the countryside from the rivers opens up a new vista before the eyes of the beholder, be they local or foreign. But there were hardly any companies offering cruises in Dhaka.
"Almost every capital city in the world has companies offering river cruises to tourists. Close home one can instantly cite the examples of Singapore and Bangkok. But the capital city of Bangladesh lacked such cruises worth the name till recently," said Zahedur Rah-man, Assistant Manager-Food and Beverage, Hotel Sarina.
Sarina Group, sensing a vacuum in this sector, decided to launch Sarina Cruise, a state-of-the-art ship that can sail anywhere. The Chairman of the Group is a Marine Engineer as is the Chief Engineer. The Chairman had the ship built by Western Marine Shipyard Limited of Chittagong, he said.
"We received the centrally air-conditioned ship in 2005 and it was formally inaugurated on Pahela Baishakh of 2006," he added.
Stationed in Ashulia BIWTA Terminal, the luxurious ship offers seven hours' cruise- sailing for about three and a half hours before turning back.
The ship can be stationed at the Pagla Ghat or the old jetty at Meghna Ghat according to the client's desire, but the client booking the ship has to take the requisite permission from the relevant authorities and pay for the extra fuel, he said.
"The ship can accommodate 80 persons in theatre style on the Main Deck, which can be extended to 90. The restaurant has a capacity for 60 persons which can be extended up to 70."
For holding a programme on the Main Deck, one has to book 15 days ahead at least for 80 persons, paying Tk 2,500 each for any number of guests less than or equal to it. For over 80 guests, one has to pay for the actual number," said Zahedur Rahman, adding "we offer complimentary live band in case of daylong cruise."
“Most of the corporate houses, UN bodies and international agencies have used "Sarina Cruise" to hold high-level meetings, workshops or just for entertaining their staff members."
"We design the menu as per client base and serve it from the fully-equipped kitchen. We offer morning tea and snacks after the ship starts sailing, sumptuous buffet lunch at noon and tea and snacks in the afternoon."
"The VIP Lounge in the Under Deck can accommodate about 25 persons and can be used for exclusive meetings. There is also the Sky Deck, but we do not encourage people going up there for safety reasons," he said.
Regarding safety and hygiene on the ship, he said, "The GL (Germanischer Lloyd) class vessel was designed and built under complete construction su-pervision of Mercantile Marine Depart-ment of Bang-ladesh and complies with IMO/MSO Rules."
"The ship is equipped with radar and global positioning system (GPS). It is very safe. There are 20 lifebuoys and 300 life jackets. The eight washrooms are cleaned every hour."
Asked about night cruises, he said, "The ship is a floating restaurant during dinner. We still do not encourage night cruises as it is difficult to navigate the narrow and shallow Turag channel at night."
On a query whether the group had any plans for Chittagong, he admitted not being so aggressive in marketing and said, the Group has plans to offer cruises to St. Martins offering lunch on board.
Pressed for details, he said, "At present you have to use vessels that leave much to be desired, and once on the island, during noon you also have to look around where to have lunch."
The Group has plans for cruise to the Sundarbans, but at present it is concentrating on a smaller vessel to ply on the Turag.
Zahedur Ranman suggested dredging not only at Ashulia but all along the 'circular waterway' around the city as well as improving the road access to Shinnir Tek. "The draught is better there," he said.

Tourist Spots in Dhaka

At first impression, Dhaka is a typically modern Third World capital with wide boulevards and cement-block towers, everything laid out in orderly fashion but in rapid states of decline. But on further investigation you discover that Dhaka is an old and venerable city in the true South Asian manner.

Dhaka's urban history is a reflection of the changing fortunes of the sub-continent as a whole. It was established by Buddhists in the 4th century, later dominated by Hindus and then fell into the hands of Muslim Mughal rulers in the 13th century.

This was the start of the golden age of Dhaka, when it became a great Mughal trading port and finally the capital of Bengal in 1608.


Baitul Mukarram

The Mughals built Dhaka into a magnificent city, with a sultan's palace, dozens of ornate mosques, covered markets, gardens and a huge citadel to protect it from pirates and foreign powers.

The Old City is a veritable labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys, difficult to find your way around without a guide. Running along the waterfront is the Bund, a bustling street that overflows with rickshaws and vendors, sweaty workmen in white loincloths humping goods up from the ghats, and eager commuters rushing down to the ferry piers.


Central Shahid Minar National Memorial National Assembly

There is something interesting around every corner. Ahsan Manzil, the palace of the last Nawab of Dhaka, stands just behind the waterfront. It's now fully restored.

The last of the great caravanserai is Chotta Katra. Istara Mosque with its unusual stellar motifs is the most interesting of the Muslim places of worship in the Old Town, while the old Armenian Church is one of the few remnants of the large community of Armenian and Greek traders who settled Dhaka in the late 18th century.

They weren't the only ones attracted by the dazzle of Mughal Dhaka.
Portuguese, Dutch, British and French all came here to trade during the 17th century, establishing their own enclaves along the waterfront. They tussled with one another for the favour of the Mughals, but it was the British who finally triumphed (as they did in most of India) and took Dhaka as their own in 1765.

Under the British an entirely new colonial city was built to the north of what became the Old Town. Great government buildings and posh bungalows arose along the shaded avenues. And Dhaka continued to prosper on trade, this time as a conduit of raw commodities from jute, sugar, tea and indigo plantations established by British planters in the interior of what was then Bengal province.


Ahsan Monzil Museum Lalbagh Fort National Museum

The Ramna area — the old British part of Dhaka — is still dominated by colonial buildings with Greek columns and whitewashed facades. This district is the artistic and intellectual heart of the whole nation, where you find the libraries, colleges, art galleries and the National Museum.

Lalbagh Fort : The Fort of Aurangabad, popularity known as the Lalbagh Fort was built in 1678 A.D. by Prince Mohammad Azam, son of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb who was the then Viceroy of Bengal.

Suhrawardy Uddyan : Formerly known as the Race Course, Suhrawardy Uddyan is a popular park of the city. The Child Education & Recreation park (Shishu Park) is also located in a comer of this big Uddyan.
National Poet's Graveyard : National poet Kazi Nazrul Islam died on August 28, 1976 and was laid to rest here. The graveyard is adjacent to the Dhaka University Mosque.

Churches: Armmanian Church (1781). St. Mary's Cathedral at Ramna, Church of Bangladesh or former St. Thomas Cathedral (1677) at Tejgaon.


Baldha Garden Sonargaon

Bangabhaban: Tourists can have a look (outside view only) of Bangabhaban, the official residence of the President.

Zoological Garden: Called Mirpur Zoo, it is situated at Mirpur. 10 km. to northwest of Dhaka, on 230 acres of land.

Shahid Minar: Symbol of Bang-ladeshi nationalism, this was built to commemorate the martyrs of historic Language Movement of 1952.

Botanical Garden: Built over an area of 205 acres of land at Mirpur, just east of the Mirpur Zoo. Object of garden: botanical education, research, preservation of plants and some recreation.

1857 Memorial (Bahadur Shah Park): Built to commemorate the martyrs of the first liberation war (1857-59) against British rule, It was here that the revolting sepoys and their civil compatriots were publicly hanged.



River Tarakuta


National Museum: Housed in an impressive building the Museum contains a large number of interesting collections including sculptures, coins, paintings and inscriptions,

Ramna Green: Ramna Park is a vast stretch of green ground surrounded by a serpentine lake.

National Art Gallery: Situated in the Shilpakala Academy premises this has a representative collection of folk art and paintings by artists of Bangladesh.

Ahsan Manzil Museum: Located on the bank of river Buriganga in Dhaka. 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 in 31 rooms displaying portraits, furniture and household articles and utensils used by the Nawab.

Baldha Garden: Baldha Garden has rare collection of botanical plants and flowers.

National Assembly Complex: National Assembly Complex in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar designed by the famous architect Louis Kahn has distinctive architectural features.

Mosques: Dhaka is better known as a city of mosques.The number of mosques in Dhaka city—old and new—would be more that one thousand.

The only surviving monument of the pre-Mughal period in Dhaka is Binat Bibi's mosque (1457) in Narinda. Other monuments of the Sultanate period around Dhaka are the single-dome Goaldi Mosque (1493-1519) and Mosque of Fateh Shah at Mograpara (1484).

The earliest Mughal monument in Dhaka is the Eidgah, an open field for Eid prayers, located in Dhanmondi residential area.

One of the finest examples of Mughal mosque architecture in the 17th century is the three-domed Sat Gombuj mosque which appears to be seven domed, hence the name sat which means seven. Another typical example of architecture is the three-domed mosque built in 1679 and situated behind the old High Court building.

The mosque of Khan Mohamad Mridha located closer to the northwest corner of the Lalbagh fort was built in 1706. The only parallel to Mridha's two-storyed mosque is the five-dome Kartalab Khan's mosque at Begum Bazar near the Central Jail. This mosque was between 1700 and 1704. It has a graceful two-sided roofed, hut-shaped room along its northern face, which, with its curvilinear eaves, gives it a very distinctive look.

The Chowk Jame Mosque, according to an inscription found on the building was built in 1676. Perhaps one of the best known and frequently visited mosques in Dhaka is the petite Star Mosque in Armanitola which has an inlaid star pattern made of broken pieces of china. It was built in the early 18th century.
Baitul Mukarram, the National Mosque in the down town area is the forerunner of a number of strikingly beautiful modern mosques. It is modelled after the rectangular shape of the holy Kaaba in Mecca.

National Memorial: Located at Savar, in the suburb of Dhaka city, is the National Memorial. It was built to commemorate the martyrs of the war of independence, Jahangirnagar University and its sprawling campus is also located nearby.

Sonargaon: About 29 km. from Dhaka is one of the oldest capitals of Bengal. It was the seat of Deva dynasty until the 13th century. From this period onward till the time of the advent of the Mughals. Sonargaon was a subsidiary capital of the Sultanate of Bengal.

National Park: Situated at Rajendrapur, 40 km. due north of Dhaka within Joydevpur Thana in the magnificent Bhawal region on Dhaka-Trishal-Mymensingh Highway, this is a vast (1,600 acres) national recreational forest, ideal for those who love nature.
Wildlife Sanctuary : About 128 km. from Dhaka is Madhupur, an interesting wildlife and game sanctuary of the country.

River Cruise: During the dry winter months river cruise is available. The cruise provide an opportunity to have glimpse of riverine Bangladesh and its lash green countryside.

(Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), the national tourism organization and The Guide, a private tour operator runs regular city sightseeing tours and river cruise).

Significant architectural monuments of Dhaka

Ahsan Manzil is one of the most significant architectural monuments of Dhaka situated on the bank of the river Buriganga. It has been turned into a museum in 1992 yet it was the residential palace and the kachari of the nawabs of Dhaka . The construction of the palace was begun in 1859 and completed in 1872. Abdul Ghani named it Ahsan Manzil after his son Khwaja Ahsanullah. At that time the newly built palace was known as Rang Mahal and the earlier one was called Andar Mahal.. More Details

Exploring St Martin's Island, The only coral islet of Bangladesh

Dhaka : Saint Martin's Island, locally known as Narikel Jinjira is a small and only coral islet of Bangladesh about 14km southwest of the southernmost town of Teknaf, off the mainland. The island lies between 92°18’ and 92°21’E longitudes.Full Story

read more | digg story

Tourist spots in Dhaka

Lalbagh Fort : The Fort of Aurangabad, popularity known as the Lalbagh Fort was built in 1678 A.D. by Prince Mohammad Azam, son of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb who was the then Viceroy of Bengal.

Lalbagh Port

Ahsan Manzil Museum: Located on the bank of river Buriganga in Dhaka. 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 in 31 rooms displaying portraits, furniture and household articles and utensils used by the Nawab.

Ahasan Monjil

Sonargaon: About 29 km. from Dhaka is one of the oldest capitals of Bengal. It was the seat of Deva dynasty until the 13th century. From this period onward till the time of the advent of the Mughals. Sonargaon was a subsidiary capital of the Sultanate of Bengal.

Sonargaon

National Memorial: Located at Savar, in the suburb of Dhaka city, is the National Memorial. It was built to commemorate the martyrs of the war of independence, Jahangirnagar University and its sprawling campus is also located nearby.

National Memorial

National Assembly Complex: National Assembly Complex in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar designed by the famous architect Louis Kahn has distinctive architectural features.

National Assembly

National Museum: Housed in an impressive building the Museum contains a large number of interesting collections including sculptures, coins, paintings and inscriptions

National Museum