Sundarbans
Suandarban

The more you cross the city of Satkhira, the more you will be confronted with the beautiful truth on the borders of the Sundarbans bordering the Bay of Bengal. Have you ever wondered how beautiful, majestic, exuberant, lively is the green of the country that is the green of the map? Have you seen the green village and the forest once? Enjoyed the monolova beauty? Maybe you will say like a poet, ‘Where time is wasted’.

 

 

 

 

Don’t take a break from the poisonous air of civic life, claustrophobic working life and see the dark green fair. In that fair only green plays. And playing with the green, all kinds of animals, birds, insects and the wet air coming from the Bay of Bengal. Yes, I am talking about the Sundarbans. The forest that feeds our souls with joy, takes away hundreds of engagements and encourages us to enjoy time. Is that time a waste of time? Certainly not.

Although the Sundarbans is spread over 6 districts of Bangladesh, the green atmosphere of the Sundarbans can be seen directly from Munshiganj of Shyamnagar police station of Satkhira district. If you leave Dhaka, go directly to Munshiganj and get out of the car as far as your eye can see, you will only see the green border.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mongla, Patuakhali, Bagerhat, whichever way you go to the Sundarbans, you have to run a long way by river to see the forest. The only exception is the Sundarbans in Satkhira. The forest is sitting like a peacock with beautiful feathers waiting for its innumerable lovers. Peru in Satkhira city, big green trees on both sides of the road will greet you on the way to the Sundarbans. Your car will continue to drive through the green tunnel.

To see the Sundarbans through Satkhira, you can leave Dhaka at 9 pm, 10 pm or 11 pm by car. Then you will get more time in one day. The car will take you to Shyamnagar bus stand by 8 am. From there, if you go 15 km by micro or public bus, you will see the green forest; Cool air can come and touch the body.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although we have ample income opportunities in the tourism sector, it is still lagging behind due to infrastructural problems. Satkhira Sundarbans is no exception.

The boat will start sailing along the medium sized Malch river. Just green and green on both sides. However, it is a matter of luck to see animals like deer, monkey, wild rooster etc. You have to go for a while. When the boat enters the small tributaries rivers or canals but will start to cut on your body. Realizing this, the tiger came and fell on your body. And the cool air in the dark green darkness will increase the fear a little more.

Telling the boatman will take you down to a safe place in the forest. But, don’t try to go inside with too much courage, it can be dangerous. Before going down in the mud, take care of the feet. This is because the strange steep sloping roots of the tree can explode. Boatman or guide will help you to identify different species of trees in the Sundarbans including Sundari, Garan, Gewa, Keora, Golpata, Khalisa. The staff at Tiger Point Rest House will help you with everything, including taking a guide.

Be sure to take more dry food and water before boarding the boat. Because the salty air of the river will increase your appetite several times. You can also go to Burigoalini and get off the boat and buy food. Along with the forest deer pet, you will see monkeys. You can walk in the forest for about 6-7 hours. After visiting all day, you can take a look at the life of the Mouyals, Bawals and Mundas living in the surrounding villages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eating and drinking in this area can be done specially. In particular, there are some fish that can not be found anywhere else in the country. The fish are also very tasty. However, the only hope for the food of choice is the canteen of Tiger Point. In this canteen you will get lunch and dinner for 100-120 TK. With the addition of some extra money, there is an opportunity to eat various species of river fish including shrimp, vhetki, bhangan, passe, kain, bamboo, khaira, tapasbe, dantne. However, it is better not to talk about eating deer meat by mistake. Because it is forbidden at once.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay-eat

Sushilan’s Tiger Point and Barsha’s Rest House are the only places to stay. The rent per room at Tiger Point is 500-1600 rupees. However, in some dormitory type rooms, the rent per bed will be 200 rupees. There are also conference rooms with 3 modern facilities. In addition, 100 people can stay and eat here at the same time. Here you will find one more special opportunity. That is, sitting on the roof and seeing the Sundarbans from Borders Eye View. And if you get the moonlit night, then there is no point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Satkhira’s Malch, Kalindi, Rayamangal, Kholpetua, Burigoalini rivers, built on the banks of the Sundarbans, there were enough boats to go around the forest to see the food was never enough here. No good quality hotel or rest house has been set up in Munshiganj of Shyamnagar from any government or private level. However, the private development agency ‘Sushilan’ has recently built a substandard rest house called ‘Tiger Point’ on the banks of the Malach River. Another private development agency, Barsha, has also set up an entertainment center. So, there is no problem to stay or get out of the car and go out to see the forest a little fresh. With permission from Munshiganj Forest Department, you have to go to the motor boat dock. The rent for this boat will be 300-400 rupees per hour. The rent for the big boat is a little higher.

Travel

From Dhaka’s Kalyanpur, Malibagh and Gabtali bus stands, Sohag, Satkhira Express, K Line, AK Travels, MR, Eagle, SP Golden Line and about 12 other transports can reach Satkhira. Let’s go directly to Travels and MR Transport

In Munshiganj of Shyamnagar in Satkhira. Rent 500 rupees. However, you can go to Satkhira Sadar by AC transport. The rent is 800-1000 rupees. The vehicles left Dhaka at three fixed times in the morning, noon and night.

Spectacular Nalta Sharif of Satkhira

Bangladesh is a Muslim inhabited country. The state religion of Bangladesh is Islam. Throughout the ages, many saints, mashayekhs and elders have been born in this country. Many religious men have come to this country to spread Islam and religion. Through whose efforts the flag of Islam has flown in Bangladesh. Khan Bahadur Ahsan Ullah is one of the people who have spent their efforts for social reform and propagation of Islam in Bangladesh. He is a famous person of Satkhira and Bangladesh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After his demise, various institutions have sprung up in different parts of the country besides Satkhira according to his name. Blessed by his memory, Nalta Sharif of Satkhira is now a place of interest.

Kaliganj is one of the upazilas of Satkhira district. Nalta is a village in this upazila. This peaceful, green and majestic village is widely known in the country and abroad today. Khan Bahadur Ahsan Ullah was born in this village. He has played a strong role in spreading education among the neglected and uneducated Bengali Muslim youth of Bangladesh. He has spent his whole life for the welfare of the people. This Khan Bahadur Ahsan Ullah is the founder of the famous Ahsania Mission in Bangladesh. Khan Bahadur Ahsan Ullah was born in December 183 in an aristocratic Muslim family. His father’s name is Munshi Mohammad Mufiz Uddin and mother’s name is Mosha: Amina Begum. After completing his education at a local school, Ahsan Ullah went to Calcutta for higher studies and obtained his MA in Philosophy from Presidency College in 1895. He was the first Muslim headmaster of Rajshahi Collegiate School. He was the first person to join the education department of undivided Bengal under the British government as a Muslim and was promoted to the post of Assistant Director. He was also a senator from Calcutta University.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While in government service, he worked in different districts and divisions. He had various experiences while working in these places. He noticed that the teachers of undivided Bengal, being mostly Hindus, gave low marks to Muslim students. As a result, meritorious Muslim students are being deprived of higher education as they are not able to do well in the entrance exams. He searched and found that the problem was due to the presence of the name of the examinee in the examination book. So he was the first to abolish the practice of writing the name of the examinee in the examination book and introduced the practice of writing only the roll number. If this practice is prevalent, there is no chance for the examiners to be biased. He also updated the syllabus of the madrasa and paved the way for higher education for those who passed the madrasa examination. Khan Bahadur Ahsan Ullah got higher education through his own efforts and paved the way for higher education for Bengali Muslim youth. He was involved in the establishment of numerous educational institutions. He played a special role in the establishment of Dhaka University. He was a founding member of the Bangla Academy. He was awarded the title of Khan Bahadur by the then British government for his outstanding role in spreading education. He retired from government service in 1929 and embarked on a great career. He established the Ahsania Mission in 1935 at Nalta in Satkhira with the motto of ‘Worship of the Creator and service to creation’. It established its branch in Dhaka in 1984. Today, the company has gained a wide reputation in the country and abroad. From this organization many more service organizations have been born. It is spreading day by day. The Ahsania Mission has been silently contributing to the socio-economic and educational affairs of this country. The character of Khan Bahadur Ahsan Ullah was manifold. He was simultaneously an educationist and social reformer, a well-known writer, a keen admirer of the Bengali language, a human servant and an Islamic thinker. She had a deep respect for women and people from other communities. He has spent a lot of time in worldly work as well as worldly work. Towards the end of his life he became known as Kamel Pir, many people accepted his discipleship after getting acquainted with his perfect life. Many of his Hindu devotees are also seen.

On February 9, 1985, the devotee of Ekarmabi left this world. He was buried in his birthplace. Later, the Bahadur Ahsan Ullah Samadhi Complex or Nalta Sharif was built around his tomb. Built on about 40 bighas of land, the complex includes shrines, mosques, offices, libraries, health centers, guest houses, ponds and several open spaces. Looks like a high mound, surrounded by a spectacular flower garden. At the top of Ebagan is a beautiful mausoleum. Its construction style and construction materials are very attractive and valuable. There are 3 steps on three sides to reach the mausoleum. However, the south staircase is quite wide and interesting. The monument has been decorated with a total of 9 domes. The central dome is quite large and spectacular. On the occasion of the death anniversary of Khan Bahadur Ahsan Ullah, the annual Urs Mahfil is held here on February 8, 9 and 10 every year. At that time, thousands of devotees from different parts of the country, irrespective of religion and caste, rushed to Nalta Sharif. At the end of the third day of Orj, Orj is completed by giving food to those who come to Orj. On the occasion of this Oraj, a fair is also held in Nalta. Where all kinds of things are sold in the country and abroad. At present Nalta Sharif is a place of interest in Satkhira or Bangladesh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Historic church

Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district

The first Christian church in Bangladesh was located in the village of Ishwaripur. Du Zarique from the history of a French historian named Zarique

According to the information, there were three Hindu kingdoms named Bakla, Sreepur and Jessore at that time. There he met Father Sosa, another Christian pastor. Father Soso Fonseca then arrived at Pratapaditya’s courtroom in Barduari on 21 November, presented the king with a delicious orange called Beringan, and proposed to build a church in the northeast corner of the Barduari building where the Christian village is located. Pratapaditya gladly agreed to the proposal.

The work of building the church started as soon as Pratapaditya received the edict. At that time many Portuguese soldiers were serving in Pratapaditya’s army. They helped finance the church as much as they could. Pratapaditya also helped build a Christian shrine in his capital. The construction of the church was completed by December 1599. Judging by the construction time, the church at Ishwaripur village in Jessore is the first Christian church built in Bangladesh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sonabaria Math Temple

Sonabaria is a border town of Kalaroa upazila. Signs of zamindar rule are scattered all over Sonabaria 200 years ago. Sonabaria Math temple is the bearer of such an ancient tradition. The Shyamsundara temple, inlaid with terracotta plaques about 60 feet high, still stands today as a model of ancient architecture. If this historic monastery is not renovated now, the rest of its dilapidated remains will be destroyed. According to various sources, this temple was established by Rani Rashmoni in Bengal in 1206. Apart from this, there are many rumors about the history of the temple. In the darkness of the night, several Shiva idols came out from under a belgacha tree in Sonabaria. Rani Rashmani dreamed of a floating stone idol of Shiva while bathing and built this temple. This huge monastery is made of small thin bricks and terracotta plaques. Everywhere it is decorated with eye-catching crafts. The temple is located on 15 acres of land surrounded by mango, jackfruit, coconut, mahogany, teak and fir trees and is 20 feet long and 15 feet wide. A large pond in front of the temple. There were 12 Shivlings in 12 long rooms on the north-south side of the east side of the temple. There was also a golden idol of Radhakrishna hanging on a swing on the second floor of the main temple.

There was a big archway to enter by the side of the temple pond. Nahabatkhana was on him. Completely different information about this temple is available from the elders. In ancient times, during the preaching of Buddhism, the followers of Gautama Buddha built monasteries here. Unable to facilitate the propagation of Buddhism, the followers of the Buddha left Sonabaria. After that, the temple was abandoned for some time. Later, the temple was rebuilt by the Hindus and converted into a temple.

References: District Informatics