About Bangladesh

Bangladesh, in full, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, republic of southern Asia, in the northeastern portion of the Indian subcontinent, bordered on the west, north, and east by India, on the southeast by Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), and on the south by the Bay of Bengal. The area of the country is 147,570 sq km (56,977 sq mi). The capital and largest city of Bangladesh is Dhaka.

Bangladesh is a country that is a diverse and intriguing combination of culture , tradition and unforgettable beauty. Decorating the landscape and diverting attention away from the concrete jungles and bustling cities, visitors will find a world of sparkling rivers, breathtaking mountains and spectacular adventures waiting around every corner. Located in South Asia, Bangladesh has been fighting poverty and establishing economic stability since its independence in 1971. Even though it is known to be one of the most highly populated countries in the world, it is also home to fertile plains, magnificent wild and an extraordinary history that captives the imagination through the buildings and monuments that remind present and future generations of its unique heritage. Its topical, mild winters and humid summers make Bangladesh a destination that can be visited all year round.

Bangladesh Art and Culture

Bangladesh has a rich, diverse culture. Its deeply rooted heritage is thoroughly reflected in its architecture, dance, literature, music, painting and clothing. The three primary religions of Bangladesh (Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam) have had a great influence on its culture and history.

Bangalees have a rich fictional legacy, with the first available form of literature being over a thousand years old. Bengali literature developed considerably during the medieval period with the rise of popular poets such as Chandi Das, Daulat Kazi an Alaol.

The traditional music of Bangladesh is very much the same as that of the Indian sub-continent. The music in Bangladesh can be divided into three main categories: classical, modern and folk. Both vocal and instrumental classical music is enjoyed in Bangladesh. Ustad Ayet Ali Khan and Ustad Alauddin are two famous classical instrumental players that are internationally known. Modern music is becoming more popular and is practiced widely. Contemporary, pop songs and bands are also enjoying more widespread fame, but are mainly popular in the regions of DhakaCity .

Tribal dances are very popular among the Bangalees. The countryside girls are in the habit of dancing to popular folk music. Their dances require no regulations as such, just a small amount of courage and a big amount of rhythm. Popular songs like Shari and Jari are presented with the accompanying dance of both male and female performers.

Drama and theatre is an old tradition that is very popular in Bangladesh. More than a dozen theater groups in Dhaka City have been regularly staging locally written plays for hundreds of years. Many have also started adopted some plays from European writers. Baily Road in Dhaka is known as “Natak Para” and this is one location where drama shows are regularly held. Many shows are also held at the Dhaka University.

Another important aspect of the culture of Bangladesh is clothing. Bangladeshi woman usually wear Saris, made of the world famous and expensive, finely embroidered quilted patchwork cloth produced by the village woman. Woman will traditionally wear their hair in a twisted bun, which is called the “Beni style”. Hindus will traditionally wear Dhuty for religious purposes. These days most men of Bangladesh wear shirts and pants.

Customs of Bangladesh

Marriage and Family :

Many women, especially those in rural areas, marry before they are 18. Men marry after they finish their education or have some financial security. Marriage is often arranged through a ghatak, or matchmaker, who can be a relative or family friend. If a man and woman get to know each other on their own, the man sends a formal proposal to the woman’s parents through an older relative. For weddings, both the bride’s house and the groom’s house are decorated with lights. Bamboo gates, decorated with colorful pieces of cloth, are placed at the entrance. The bride wears a sharee, a long piece of printed cloth wrapped around the body, and her jewelry; the groom wears a shirwani (knee-length coat), a pagri (traditional cap), and nagra (flat shoes that curl upward in front). A Muslim groom pledges money for the bride’s future in case the marriage fails; the pledge is recorded in the ka’been (marriage registry). Another common, although illegal, custom in Bangladesh is the presentation of a dowry to the groom’s family.

Divorce and polygamy are both legal in Bangladesh; it is increasingly rare for a man to have more than one wife, but divorce is on the rise. Both meet with a degree of public disapproval, however. Bangladesh society, in general, remains strongly male dominated, and except among the upper class, women have low status. However, there is a growing movement to promote women’s rights.

Owing to economic necessity, extended families often share the same dwelling, but the nuclear family is becoming more common among the younger generation. Bangladesh has no social security system or nursing homes. Children, especially sons, are expected to care for their elderly parents. Grandparents or older siblings are generally responsible for child care when the parents are away or working.

Eating

Rice is the main staple. Because Bangladesh has many rivers, fish is cheaper and more readily available than meat. Vegetables other than carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes are usually fried in oil. One of the most common dishes is dal, a souplike lentil dish that is high in protein and inexpensive. Spices such as cumin, ginger, coriander, turmeric, and pepper are used a great deal in cooking. Food is often marinated in shurwa, a sauce made from onions and spices, and cooking is often judged by the quality of the shurwa. Desserts are usually eaten only on special occasions. Rashogolla and kalojam, two popular sweets, are variations of dough boiled in syrup.
Bangladeshis generally do not use knives and forks at home, but spoons are used to eat sweets. Food is eaten with the right hand, which is washed before each meal, and people do not dip their fingers into shurwa above their knuckles
Bangladeshis do not talk much during a meal, especially at home. Food is not passed around the table; instead, plates are taken to a main dish for serving. Bones and other food wastes are placed on separate plates to keep them apart from the food. On special occasions, children often eat first. Men and women eat separately at large social gatherings such as weddings, but not at everyday meals.
At restaurants, the wealthiest person often pays for everyone’s meal, particularly among relatives. However, it has become more common among students to pay individually. Expensive restaurants have utensils, but many ordinary restaurants do not.

Recreation

Visiting friends and relatives is one of the main ways Bangladeshis spend their leisure time. The most popular sports are soccer, field hockey, cricket, table tennis, and badminton. In villages, many young people also enjoy hadudu or kabaddi. Kabaddi is called by different names in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, and other countries in the region. Played on a square court, kabaddi is an ancient sport involving two teams with seven players each. One player from each team—the raider—must touch as many opponents as possible on the opponents’ side of the court, while the opponents try to avoid being touched and seek to prevent the raider from returning to the other side. The raider must chant the entire time, in order to accomplish the mission in one breath.

Televisions and CD, DVD Player are becoming more popular in cities. Movie theaters are plentiful; Hindi films (often musicals) from India are very popular, and young people also enjoy films from the United States. Bangladeshis have a long artistic tradition that embraces poetry, literature, music, and dance.

The wild side of Bangladesh

Nature enthusiasts will fall head over heels for the wildlife,national park and botanical gardens in Bangladesh that work towards conserving and protecting their indigenous and endangered species. Visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of the magnificent animals, plants and birds that carve their existence here and national parks, such as the Sundarbans (the largest mangrove forest in the world), are home to animals such as the Bengal tiger, monkeys, crocodiles, deer and pythons. Each establishment showcases the beauty and splendor of the landscape and there are many national parks and sanctuaries scattered across the country. Some of these natural wonders include the Bhawal national park Waterfall of Madhabkunda, Sonadia Island, Pablakhali Wildlife Sanctuary, Moulayibazar National Botanical Garden and the Himchari National Park.

Attractions

When it comes to attractions, Bangladesh is limitless. Walking through establishments, such as the Science Museum, National Museum, Folk Art Museum, Liberation War Museum and Zia Memorial Museum, allows visitors to travel through time, looking back at the history and moments in time that defined the future of the country. Over and above the museums, there are many memorials and places of interest to visit, such as the Old High Court Building, the Buddhist village of Ramu, the Natore Palace, National Memorial and the lalbagh Fort that was constructed in 1678. Bangladesh is also known for its archeological sites, and Pahapur, the Mainamati ruins and Mahasthanragh are breathtaking windows into ancient times, the civilizations of the time and their architectural genius that created functional villages and structures. Bangladesh is more than just a holiday destination - it is a place of wonder, discovery and cultural magnificence. Sundarban

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Sundarban

Located about 320 km. south-west of Dhaka and spread over an area of about 60000 sq, km of deltaic swamps along the coastal belt of Khulna, the Sundarbans is the world's biggest mangrove forest - the home of the Royal Bengal tiger. These dense m...angrove forests are criss-crossed by a network of rivers and creeks here tourists find 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 of the region include the cheetahs, spotted deer, monkeys, pythons, wild bears and hyeanas. The forest is accessible by river from Khulna or Mongla. There are rest-houses for visitors to stay and enjoy the unspoiled beauty and splendour of the forest.

UNESCO has decleared the Sundarbans a World heritage site that it offers splendid opportunities for tourism.The main tourist spots inside the Sundarbans include Hiron Point (Nilkamal), Katka and Tin Kona island. These places offer the best vantage points for watching tigers, deer, monkeys, crocodiles and birds. Another major attraction inside the Sundarbans is Dublachar (island), a fishing village. Herds of spotted deer often come to graze here.

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Cox's Bazar Beach

Miles of golden sands, towering cliffs, surfing waves, rare conch shells, colorful Pagodas, Buddhist Temples and delightful sea-food - all this makes what Cox's Bazar is today , the tourist capital of Bangladesh. The World's longest uninterrupted (120 km.) beach slopes here down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal against the picturesque background of a chain of hills covered with deep green forests Cox Bazer is one of the most attractive tourist spots in the world The warm, shark free, waters are good for bathing and swimming & while the sandy beaches offer opportunities for sun-bathing . The beauty of the setting-sun behind the waves of the sea is simply captivating. Locally made cigars and handloom products of the tribal Rakhyne families are good buys. Located at a distance of 152 km. south of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar is connected both by air and road from Dhaka and chittagong Visit to the fascinating picnic spots at Himchari and Teknaf, the Buddhist Temple at Ramu and nearby islands of Sonadia and St. Martin's, Inani Beach and Moheshkhali are certain to become unforgettable experiences for every visitor Inani Beach

Inani Beach Inani is within Ukhia Thana, 35 km. to the south of Cox's Bazar. With green hills to the east, the golden beach of Inani casts a music spell on anyone stepping on to its fine golden sands. The clean blue waters of the Bay are ideal for swimming , Location: Cox's Bazar Beach .
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St.Martin's Island

Forty-eight kilometers from Teknaf, St. Martin's is the country's only coral island and an un spoilt paradise. Named Narikel Jinjira (Coconut Island) by the locals, the dumbbell shaped St.Martin's has an area of only 8 sq. km. which reduces to about 5 sq. km. and in places from 1-4 meters during high tide.
The Cox's Bazar Holiday Complex of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation on the island is an shore tourist resort having comfortable accommodation, catering, sightseeing and other facilities. Forty-eight kilometers from Teknaf, St. Martin's is the country's only coral island and an unspoilt paradise. Named Narikel Jinjira (Coconut Island) by the locals, the dumbbell shaped St.Martin's has an area of only 8 sq. km. which reduces to about 5 sq. km. and in places from 1-4 meters during high tide.
The Cox's Bazar Holiday Complex of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation on the island is an shore tourist resort having comfortable accommodation, catering, sightseeing and other facilities.

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Kuakata

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
Horinghata

Horinghata is a place where you can see deer roaming around. In Horinghata forest sometimes the Royal Bengal Tiger is seen. Horin is a Bengali word for deer. So name itself express why it’s called Horinghata. You can go to Horinghata from Borguna District

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Rangamati :

If you don’t visit Rangamati you will not discover a big portion of natural beauties of Bangladesh. From Chittagong a 77 km. road amidst green fields and winding hills will take you to Rangamati. It is also connected by waterway from Kaptai

This is the only place to visit through out the year. Rangamati expresses her full beauty in rainy season. Trees becoming greener, waterfalls are in full tide, the river Karnaphuli in her full wave in this season. If you already visited Rangamati in winter, we advice to go there again in monsoon

You will feel the difference of nature yourself.

.Parjatan holiday complex is the best place to stay in Rangamati. There are other hotels in Rangamati where you can stay. Boating is the prime attraction in Rangamati. You can go to Kaptai and also by Karnaphuli River you can go deep in side the hill areas where on the way you will find lots of natural waterfalls. If you wish you can take shower in the waterfall or you can swim in the river. By boat you can visit the tribal villages, King Chakma's (tribal) Palace that is called Chakma Rajbari, Rajbonbihar pagoda, Tribal museum etc. You can also enjoy the tribal handmaid crafts if you go for shopping in the local market.

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Bandarban

Lots of hills and hilly areas, waterfalls, River Sangu, Lakes and the tribal culture Are the main attraction of Bandaeban

You can go to Bandarban from Chittagong by road. Chimbuk hill is one of the major attractions of Bandarban. You can enjoy the journey to Chimbuk Hill by jig jag hilly roads. It’s the third highest mountain in Bangladesh of approx. 3000 ft height. Reach Chimbuk by jeep or microbus from Rangamati. A beautiful Rest house is there on the top of Chimbuk hill .If you are lucky then you can feel the clouds touching your whole body. If you take the prior permission from Roads and Highway Department you can spent a night in the rest house on the top of Chimbuk hill. If you stay there a night, you will remember your stay for your whole life with the calmness of nature hearing sometimes the wild animals squalling.Are the main attraction of Bandaeban.

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Sitakunda

The famous Chandranath Temple & Buddhist temples are in Sitakundu, 37 km for from Chittagong city. Famous among the many temples in this place, the Chandranath Temple and the Buddhist Temple has a footprint of Lord Buddha. These places particularly the hilltops are regarded as very sacred by the Buddhists and the Hindus. Siva-chaturdashi festival is held every year in February when thousands of pilgrims assemble for the celebrations, which last about ten days. There is a salt-water spring 5 km. to the north of Sitakunda, known as Labanakhya.

you can enjoy the steet of riding to go to chandranath's temple by walking.it is situaton the top of the from where you can enjoy the beauty of the sea and amp ,also the areas, now in shitakunda there's made an eco park.

International Mother Language Day

Shaheed Minar

21 February :

The United Nations' (UN) International Mother Language Day annually celebrates language diversity and variety worldwide on February 21. It also remembers events such as the killing of four students on February 21, 1952, because they campaigned to officially use their mother language, Bengali, in Bangladesh.

Shaheed Minar is the centre of cultural activities in Dhaka Bangladesh. Every year, the Language Movement is remembered at the monument

Background :

At the partition of India in 1947, the Bengal province was divided according to the predominant religions of the inhabitants. The western part became part of India and the eastern part became a province of Pakistan known as East Bengal and later East Pakistan. However, there was economic, cultural and lingual friction between East and West Pakistan.

These tensions were apparent in 1948 when Pakistan's government declared that Urdu was the sole national language. This sparked protests amongst the Bengali-speaking majority in East Pakistan. The government outlawed the protests but on February 21, 1952, students at the University of Dhaka and other activists organized a protest. Later that day, the police opened fire at the demonstrators and killed four students. These students' deaths in fighting for the right to use their mother language are now remembered on International Mother Language Day.

The unrest continued as Bengali speakers campaigned for the right to use their mother language. Bengali became an official language in Pakistan on February 29, 1956. Following the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, Bangladesh became an independent country with Bengali as its official language

On November 17, 1999, UNESCO proclaimed February 21 to be International Mother Language Day and it was first observed on February 21, 2000. Each year the celebrations around International Mother Language Day concentrate on a particular theme.

Quick Facts

The United Nations' (UN) International Mother Language Day is annually held on February 21 to celebrate languages spoken worldwide. It also observes the human right to use these languages

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