Sylhet the tea garden of Bangladesh.
A hill in sylhet, with
tea gardens
SYLHET
Nestled in the picturesque Surma Valley amidst scenic tea plantations
and lush green tropical forests, greater Sylhet is a prime attraction
for all tourists visiting Bangladesh. Laying between the Khasia and the
Jaintia hills on the north, and the Tripura hills on the south, Sylhet
breaks the monotony of the flatness of this land by a multitude of
terraced tea gardens, rolling countryside and the exotic flora and
fauna. Here the thick tropical forests abound with many species of
wildlife, spread their aroma around the typical hearth and homes of the
Mainpuri Tribal maidens famous for their dance.
The Sylhet valley is formed by a beautiful, winding pair of rivers named
the Surma and the Kushiara both of which are fed by innumerable hill
streams from the north and the south. The valley has good number of
haors which are big natural depressions. During winter these haors are
vast stretches of green land, but in the rainy season they turn into
turbulent seas.
These haors provide a sanctuary to the millions of migratory birds who
fly from Siberia across the Himalayas to avoid the severe cold there.
Sylhet has also a very interesting and rich hilstory, Before the
conquest by the Muslims, it was ruled by local chieftains. In 1303, the
great Saint Hazrat Shah Jalal came to Sylhet from Delhi with a band of
360 disciples to preach islam and defeated the then Raja Gour Gobinda.
Sylhet thus became a district of saints, shrines and daring but virile
people. Its rich potentialities became easily attractive and the 18th
century Englishmen made their fortune in tea plantation.
About 80 km. from Sylhet town connected by road and rail, Srimangal,
which is known as the tea capital of Bangladesh, is the actual tea
centre of the area. For miles and miles around, the visitor can see the
tea gardens spread like a green carpet over the plain land or on the
sloping hills. A visit to the tea plantation in Sylhet is a memorable
experience. Sylhet, the tea granary of Bangladesh, not only has over 150
tea gardens but also proudly possesses three largest tea gardens in the
world both in area and production.
The Shrine of
Hazrat Shah Jalal : Among the
several places of historical interest in Sylhet town is the shrine of
Saint Hazrat Shah Jalal. Even today, more than six hundred years after
his death, the shrine is visited by innumerable devotees of every caste
and creed, who make the journey from far away places. Legend says, the
great saint who came from Delhi to preach Islam and defeated the then
Hindu Raja (king) Gour Gobinda, transformed the witchcraft followers of
the Raja into catfishes which are still alive in the tank adjacent to
the shrine Swords, the holy Quran and the robes of the holy saint are
still preserved in the shrine.
Hairpur Gas Field and
Other Spots : Twentytwo kilometers
from Sylhet town is the Haripur Gas Field and at 35 km. point is the
Jaintiapur's Rajbari.
Only 5 km. from Jaintiapur is Jaflong, a scenic spot amidst tea gardens.
At about 35 km. north-west of Sylhet town, linked by rail, road and
river is Chhatak, the seat of Assam Bengal Cement Factory, Chhatak is
famous for orange garden.
Tamabil-Jaflong :
Situated amidst splendid panorama,
Tamabil is a border outpost on Sylhet-Shilong Road about 55 km. away
from Sylhet town. Besides enchanting views of the area one can also have
a glimpse of the waterfalls across the border from Tamabil. Jaflong is
also a scenic spot nearby amidst tea gardens and rate beauty of rolling
stones from hills.
Manipuri Dance :
An interesting feature of Sylhet
region is the aboriginal tribes such as the Tipperas, the Monipuris,
Khasis and Garos who still live in their primitive ways in the hills,
practising their age-old rites, rituals, customs and traditions. During
festivals such as, Rash Leela (Full-moon night in February) and Doljatra,
the attractive young girls dressed in colorful robes, dance with the
male members of their choice & love. The Monipuris perform their famous
dance, based on allegorical love themes of the ancient mythology.
Handicrafts :
Sylhet is well-known for its wide
variety of exquiste handicrafts. Well-known Sylhet cane products such as
chair, table, tea trays, flower vases, bags and the exquisitely designed
fine Sital Pati (a kind of mattress having natural cooling effect) are
colorful souvenirs.
For accommodation at Sylhet town, some reasonably good hotels are
available. Rest-house accommodation at Srimangal and other places are
also available for tourists.
Temple of Sri
Chaitannya Dev : About 500 years
old famous temple of Sri Chaitanya Dev is located at Dhaka Dakhin about
45 km south-east from Sylhet town. The place is revered from being the
ancestral home of the famous Vaishnava saint. Yearly fair is organised
on the fullmoon day of the Bangla month Falgun. Hundreds and thousands
of devotees from home and abroad attend this colorful fair.
Shahi Edgah :
Three kilometers to the north-east
of the circuit house, the Shahi Eidgah was built on a hill by the Mughal
Emperor Aurangazeb in the 17th century. It looks like a grade fort but
is actually meant for Eid congreation-the two biggest Muslim festivals
Gour Gobinda Fort :
The Murarichand Government College
is situated in a beautiful surrounding on a hillttop. To the north-west
of the college lie the remains of King Gour Govinda's Fort.
Jaintiapur :
Situated 43 km. to the north of Sylhet
town, on the Sylhet- Shillong road, Jaintiapur was the capital of an
ancient kingdom which included the khasi and Jaintia Hills and plains of
Jainta. Interesting ruins of this forgotten period lie scattered
throughout Jaintiapur. A drive to Jaintiapur is an interesting and
worthwhile experience
Srimongal :
Srimongal is famous for the largest tea
gardens of world covered by lush green carpet. One can have a look into
the spectacular tea processing at Tea Research Institute. Bangladesh
produces and exports a large quantity of high quality tea every year.
Most of the tea estates are in Sremongol. It is called "The land of two
leaves and a bud". It is also called camellia, green carpet or Tea
Mountain. There are a lot of tea estates including the largest one in
the world. The terraced tea garden, pineapple, rubber and lemon
plantations from a beautiful landscape. It is known as the tea capital
in Bangladesh. Just offer entering into the tea estates the nice smells
and green beauty will lead you many kilometers away.
Lawacherra Rain forest is one of the important & well-reserved forests
in Bangladesh. Here visitor may see gibbons swimming through the trees
and birds like bee-eater owls parrot. It is a good habitant of Deer,
leopard, wild chicken, squirrel, and python. Don't miss it especially if
you are bird watcher. The terrain is hilly and vegetation is fairly
thick. Only one rare Chloroform tree of Asia is here and a prime
attraction of travel
Kasia & Manipuri is two important ethnic-tribe live here. Manipuri is
famous for its rich culture especially for dancing, singing. They are
also famous for their traditional weaving. You can buy their handicrafts
exquisitely woven woolen. Shawls, Sharee, Napkin, bed-cover and some
should a bags. It is known as colorful community. Kasia tribe is famous
for their betel leaf cultivation. They make their villages high on
hilltop in deep forest and so far from town. It is like " a Piece of
paradise". Certainly it will please you.
Pineapple cultivation in numerable rows of Pineapple cultivation
covering largest area is very amazing and fascinating. Largest quantity
of pineapple grown here of Bangladesh. It is also sweetest and best
quality. Pineapple is really a greatest offer of summer but now it is
cultivated all the year round. So, you can enjoy the juicy summer fruit
in any time coming to its real field. Just after entering into pineapple
plantation. It can be highlight for you in Sremongol.
Madhabkunda surrounded by lush tea estates and full of waters lilies is
a unique one. Magurchara ruined gas & Oil reserved field, which was
blasted while digging 3 years ago and was burning an 500-feet height for
more than 3 months. A lot of burnt trees now carrying the symbols of
digester. Ever where a lot of rubber & lemon plantation form a beautiful
landscape. And you can have a visit to Madhobkundo water fall .
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