Address: Armanitola Road, Old Dhaka This church dates from 1781 and it is still functioning today. Compared to some of the splendid churches elsewhere in the world, this is a rather small, but interesting building crowding on a narrow back street of old Dhaka. But in…Read More

Address: Armanitola Road, Old Dhaka

This church dates from 1781 and it is still functioning today. Compared to some of the splendid churches elsewhere in the world, this is a rather small, but interesting building crowding on a narrow back street of old Dhaka. But in the Dhaka context it is a very important tranquil haven in the heart of a huge crowded Muslim city.

The church supports a small Christian community from several countries that meets every Sunday evening. The Armenians were once at the heart of Bengal’s jute and leather trade but the community has virtually vanished. For much of the rest of the week the door to the compound is looked but there is always someone inside because the caretaker, his family and others live on site. You just need to wait or bang loudly on the door and someone will come to let you in.

I met the caretaker, Mr. Martin and one of his sons. They are say they may be the only Armenians left in Bangladesh, both speak some English and they have pride in ‘their’ building. During the War of Liberation, the church was looted and many valuables taken, including the church organ. There is some sadness about this but today there seems more tolerance. Perhaps it is because this small church community is no threat to anyone.

The church itself was locked when I visited but the caretaker was happy to open up for a foreign visitor. The interior of the building is typical of many a parish church in a number of different countries. There are portraits of the Crucifixion and the Last Supper, believed to be done by a prominent European artist. There is a register of births, deaths and marriages and a modern visitor’s book to record your comments. Outside, the graveyard is like a giant history book, chronicling the history of the Armenian people in the region.

I must say I left here wondering what the future holds for this small piece of history. The building is showing evidence of the ravages of the weather and pollution. The grounds suffer from care and attention partly due no doubt to a lack of manpower and money. The Bangladeshi government shows little interest in preserving important pieces of the country’s history so perhaps in ten years this church may not be open for visitors. That would be very sad. If you visit, please leave a donation.

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Suvolong is surrounded by water of Kaptai Lake. It is an hour boat journey from Rangamati town. Speed boat or motor launch will take fewer time. The sea-like Kaptai Lake has entered through hills and a mile long deep canal has created here. When your…Read More

Suvolong is surrounded by water of Kaptai Lake. It is an hour boat journey from Rangamati town. Speed boat or motor launch will take fewer time.

The sea-like Kaptai Lake has entered through hills and a mile long deep canal has created here. When your boat will enter the canal and you will look to the banks of the canal – I think you will struck with wonder. I consider, this is the most beautiful place in Bangladesh.

The green hills have started towards the sky straight from the canal. The edge of the hills are of various kinds – somewhere the edge has made waves, somewhere it is like great pillars. It seems man has made the pillars but it is really a natural wonder. There are monkeys on the top of those hills. In rainy days many springs fall to the canals from those hills. The scenery of the way to Suvolong is really fantastic. Words cannot explain the real beauty of this place.

Suvolong is on the other end of this canal. There is a picnic corner, an army camp and a beautiful restaurant here. The sweetmeat of Suvolong is famous. So, welcome to Suvolong . Enjoy the beauty and taste the sweets.

To hire a boat from Rangamati town, go to the Parjatan area / Reserve Bazar or Tobolchori Launch Ghat. Close

Naturally we are a joy-loving nation, but natural calamities and poverty sometimes create obstacles to joy. In spite of that, fairs and festivals have always played a significant role in the life of the people of the country. Brief information on the important and regular…Read More

Naturally we are a joy-loving nation, but natural calamities and poverty sometimes create obstacles to joy. In spite of that, fairs and festivals have always played a significant role in the life of the people of the country. Brief information on the important and regular festivals is given below.

PAHELA BAISHAK: Bengali New Year's Day is gaily observed in the cities and villages throughout the country. The day (April 14/15) is a public holiday. There are the most colorful daylong gatherings held from dawn at Ramna Park. Dhaka Tournaments, boat races, etc., are held amidst great jubilation. Many fairs are held in Dhaka and other towns and villages.

INDEPENDENCE DAY: This is the biggest state festival. The day, March 26, is most befittingly observed, and the capital becomes festive. It is a public holiday. The citizens of Dhaka wake up early in the morning to the booming of guns heralding the day. Leaders of the government and political parties and freedom fighters place floral wreaths on the National Martyrs' Monument at Savar. Many tournaments are organized, including the amusing boat race on the river Buriganga. Cultural functions are held by Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and many other cultural organizations.

VICTORY DAY: Bangladesh was victorious on December 16, 1971. The nation observes this day every year with due respect. The programs of the day are almost the same as the ones on Independence Day.

LANGUAGE MARTYRS' DAY: February 21 of every year is observed throughout the country to pay respect and homage to the sacred souls of the Martyrs' of Language movement of 1952. Blood was shed on this day at the Dhaka Medical College area (now Central Shaheed Minar is situated here) to establish Bangla as a state language of the then Pakistan. The Shaheed Minar (Martyrs' Monument) is the symbol of sacrifice for the mother tongue. Morning services begin in Dhaka at midnight, with a song reverberating in the air. Services include barefooted processions, song sessions, placing flowers at the minar, and prayer at the graves of the martyrs' at Azimpur. A month-long (in February) book fair is held at the Bangla Academy in memory of the language martyrs'. UNESCO has declared this day as International Mother Language Day.

EID-UL-FITR: This is the biggest Muslim festival observed throughout the world. This is held following Ramadan, the month of fasting. In Dhaka big congregations are held at many places.

EID-UL-AZHA: This is the second biggest festival of the Muslims. It marks the Hajj in Mecca on the 10th of Zilhajj, the lunar month. Large Eid congregations are held and animals are sacrificed in memory of Hazrat Ibrahim's preparation for the supreme sacrifice of his beloved son to Allah. It is a public holiday. MUHARRAM: The Muharram michil of Dhaka city is a ceremonial mournful procession of the Muslim community. A large procession is brought out from the Hussaini Dalan Imambara on the 10th of Muharram in memory of the tragic martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) on this day in Karbala in Iraq.

DURGAPUJA: Durgapuja is the biggest festival for the Hindus of the country. It continues for 10 days, the last 3 days culminating with the idol being immersed in the river/pond.

CHRISTMAS: Christmas, called Bara Din or big day, is celebrated with joy in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country. Celebrations include illuminating churches, decorating Christmas trees, and other festivities.

RABINDRA & NAZRUL JAYANTI: This is the birth anniversary of the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore on the 25th of Baishak (May) and that of the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on the 11 of Jaystha (May), which are observed throughout the country. There are big gatherings and song sessions organized by socio-cultural organizations. Tagore is the writer of our national anthem while Nazrul is famous as a rebel poet for his fiery writings.

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Bangladesh has many tourist attractions including archaeological sites, historic mosques and monuments, resorts, beaches, forest and wildlife. Some of the most attractive places are- DHAKA: Dhaka is the rich capital of our poor country. There are many attractive sight in Dhaka city such as Ramna Park,…Read More

Bangladesh has many tourist attractions including archaeological sites, historic mosques and monuments, resorts, beaches, forest and wildlife. Some of the most attractive places are-

DHAKA: Dhaka is the rich capital of our poor country. There are many attractive sight in Dhaka city such as Ramna Park, Botanical Garden, Baldha Garden, National Assembly, National Museum, National Memorial, National Park, Central Shaheed Minar, Dhaka Zoo, Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manjil Museum, Banghabandu Memorial Museum, Muktijuddha Museum, Science Museum and many more.

SUNDARBANS: It is the largest mangrove forest of the world. Famous Royal Bengal Tigers live in this forest. It is in the Khulna region 320 km. west from Dhaka. UNESCO has declared it as world heritage. Other wildlife of this area are spotted deer, monkeys, pythons, wild bear etc.

BEACHES: Cox’s Bazar and Kuakata are the most popular beaches of Bangladesh.

CHITTAGONG: Chittagong is the 2nd largest city of Bangladesh. Come Chittagong and visit Foy’s Lake, Ethnological Museum, World War Cemetery, Patenga Beach and Sitakundu.

HILL DISTRICTS: Chittagong hill district is now divided in three districts namely Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban. Hill districts are the world of panoramic beauty. It is favorable for trackers.

SYLHET: Sylhet region is called the "land of two leaves and one bud". The tea gardens of Sylhet are world famous. Madhabkundu Waterfall and Tamabil, Jaflong are in this region.

There are many other attractive places to visit, many new food to taste, many items to enjoy. So, come to Bangladesh and enjoy many new things.

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On the way to Jaflong, we had to stay one night in Sylhet city. We stayed at the Hotel Jomjom. Due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal, the weather became worse from that night. The next morning, the sky was cloudy and it…Read More

On the way to Jaflong, we had to stay one night in Sylhet city. We stayed at the Hotel Jomjom. Due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal, the weather became worse from that night. The next morning, the sky was cloudy and it rained every now and then. In this weather, we started for Jaflong in our reserved bus. After viewing the city countryside, we saw extensive natural watery places, which expanded towards the horizon, on both sides of the highway. Such kinds of places are called haor in our country. After about an hour and a half, we saw some villages. We looked through the glass and saw that the clouds were far more black and terrible than before. We were sad because visiting Jaflong would not be enjoyable to us with clouds and rain. Everybody was sad, but the closer we came to Jaflong, the more the clouds changed into high hills. Ha...ha...ha... Close

At the afternoon I with my friend Zakir entered in Foyoz Mia’s coconut forest. It is a big forest cultivated by Foyoz Mia. Its area is about 200 acres. Not only coconut trees there are many other trees, shrub and bushes here. We…Read More

At the afternoon I with my friend Zakir entered in Foyoz Mia’s coconut forest. It is a big forest cultivated by Foyoz Mia. Its area is about 200 acres. Not only coconut trees there are many other trees, shrub and bushes here. We enjoyed the forest.

But we missed our path and felt helpless. The roar of the sea was heard. So, we decided to go towards the roar and after crossing some natural obstacles we reached on a point of the beach. The tamarisk forest was on the left of us. Walking two minutes we reached at the forest.

A breeze was coming from the sea and the swishing of the tamarisks trees was meditative. But the sun has become already red. So, we ran towards the main point of the beach. But it was too late. We thought that we could not reached there before the sun set. So, we stopped. We saw from far away that countless people are looking at the setting sun standing on a line. This line of thousands men looking at one direction was more attractive to me than the sunset. They were looking like the devotee of the goddess sun. I will never forget this scene.

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