30 Jul 10, Fri
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The most beautiful hilly district of Bangladesh is Bandarban. It’s blessed with millions of trees, enchanting natural glamour, highest mountain peaks of Bangladesh and untouched natural purity. That’s why it’s the ultimate destination for the travelers who love to see nature of the mountains.
Bandarban is a mysterious land for people as there are many places where no one has stepped on. It’s called the wooded land of Bangladesh for the abundance of trees and wild life. It contains the highest peak Tah-jing-dong, Keokradong, Boga Lake which placed in highest height in Bangladesh compare to sea level. Also the captivating Chimbuk hill which is known as the Darjiling of Bangladesh located here in Bandarban.
The past
Mru people are living in Bandarban since early fourteenth century, until taken over by Marma rule which is followed by the Mughal invasion of Chittagong under Emperor Aurangzeb in the middle part of seventeenth century but the Mughal could never overpowered the Mru. Marmas and Rakhaines stirred into the area in large numbers during the attacks of the Portuguese Armada and the glory days of the Arakanese kingdom. Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal marched into the area in the mid eighteenth century. But it stay put mostly independent through refusal of Mughal power.
Bandarban was stated as the Bohmong circle with restricted sovereignty during the British Raj. In the mid 19th century the Mizokaba or the Mizo was the major catalyst for relocation of the tribes in this area. A fearsome British military came to Bandarban to stand against a Japanese assault during World War II. Throughout history the tribes that live in this hilly countryside apprehended the character of unbending revolution. The leaders of the tribe’s people determined to become a part of Mynamar then known as Burma when India, Pakistan and Mynamar went free from the British Empire. But they were unsuccessful to do that. The leaders again wanted to remain a part of Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 to gain independence from Pakistan. But they failed again.
A policy of settlement of Bengalis into hills was enforced in the late 1970s. For which Bandarban saw much violence against the hill people and the revolt led by Shanti Bahini, the military section of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti. There was an attempt made to create a partition among tribal cultural ranks between the Chakmas, who lead Shantibanhini and the Mrus by constructing anti-Shantibanhini mercenaries out of them. After the peace agreement, Bandarban remains as a locally administered ethnic area together with the two other hill districts.
Culture
There are around fifteen ethnic minorities’ lives in Bandarban besides the Bengalis. These tribes includes: the Marma and Rakhine, also known as Magh, Mru also known as Murong, Bawm, Khyang, Tripuri also known as Tipra, Mizo also known as Lushei, Khumi, Chak, Kuki, Chakma and Tenchungya, Reang (also known as Riyang), Uchoi (also known as Usui) and Pankho.
For so much ethnic population lives in this region, its culture and custom is somewhat different and rich. These ethnic tribes are divided in hundreds of clans and sects and dominated by four religious beliefs - Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and pagan faiths. All these clans and groups are bunched into two chief ethnic families the hill people and the valley people. The valley people started to live on hill tops with the hill people since the Kaptai dam flooded the valley generating the Kaptai Lake.
The tribe people celebrate some different festival which can’t be seen among the general Bangali people:
- Raj Punnyah: It is the festival where general people pay tribute and taxes (khazna) to the king of Bohmang circle. This is festival is held in mid February since 1885. It’s a three day festival at the royal palace. It features the king come to meet with his subjects in full regalia and he is accompanied by a traditional guard, and receiving tributes.
- Sangrai: The biggest festival of the Marma tribesmen, akin to Boisabi of the Tripuris and Biju of the Chakmas. In mid-April, this celebration of the new year falls around the same time as Bengali Naba Barsha and Assamese Bihu. Apart frm the songs and dances Sangrai is marked by the water festival and magic charm competitions. Water festival is a game of splashing water from two sides of a marked arena by unmarried boys and girls on each other. It is said that splashing water is a way of declaring a love interest. Non-Marma people can\'t usually take part in the game.
To Do and To See
Boga Lake: Boga Lake is a natural lake stretches over 15 acres of land and at a height of 3700 is simply mind blowing. It is only 65 km from Bandarban and from Ruma upazilla its 20km. there are many folktales about the creation of Boga Lake. Some people think that it might be crater of a dead volcano. You may need to hire a guide to see Boga Lake properly. You could find light refreshment and rest facilities at tribal villages.
Rijuk waterfall: it’s a natural waterfall placed at Ruma, 66 km southeast from Bandarban. The water continuously falls from about 300 ft high into the river Sangu. In the waterfall, it looks like hill glittering like pearl particles in the space which creates an unparallel beauty of the nature. The surrounding environment is equally enchanting with vast span of greenery all around and countless trees and shrubs.
Prantik: the Bangla meaning of the word ‘prantik’ means fringe. It’s another stunning lake and derives its name from its position, being located on the Bandarban-Chittagong district border. It is being developed by the L.G.E.D with numerous tourist facilities around it. Its fitting setting has already made it a hot spot for the tourists. It is significantly larger than that of other lakes. It is also bordered by greenish small gorgeous hills.
Tah-jing-dong and Keokradong: Bandarban has the sole privilege of having two highest peaks of the country Keokradong and Toh-jing-dong. The peaks assess up to 4000 and 4500 ft respectively. The magnificence and magical charm of these peaks couldn’t be described by words and imagination. For deep forest and rugged terrains it is very difficult to reach the spot. Then nothing is beyond human will.
Buddha Dhatu Jadi. It’s the largest Buddhist temple of Bangladesh. It’s situated in Balaghata, 4 km away from the town and a must place to visit. This Theravada Buddhist temple rest atop of a 60 meter hill. It’s made entirely in the style of South-East Asia that contains a sacred relic. The second largest statue of Buddha of Bangladesh is also located here.
Shoilo Propat, Meghla and Nilachal: Shoilo Propat is a waterfall placed at Milanchari, only 4 km from Bandarban on the road to Thanchi. It’s also an outstanding site preserved by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. The site uphold by the Distrcit Administraion of Meghla, in the road to Keranihat. It contains a mini-safari-park, a zoo, and a hanging bridge. The Nilachal tourist site near Meghla, in Tigerpara is also developed by the district administration and becoming a fascinating tourist spot.
Raj Vihar and Ujanipara Vihar: There are two Buddhist vihars in the town including the highly remarkable the Raj Vihar which was a royal Monastery at Jadipara and The Ujanipara Vihar at Ujanipara. Both of these Vihars are also becoming a key place of interest for the tourists visiting here.
Chimbuk Hill and Tribal Villages: Chimbuk hill is one of the tallest hills of Bangladesh. It lies about 14 km away from the town of Bandarban. Two tribal villages Bawm village and Mru village which are placed around Chimbuk take a day to reach from town. Chimbuk positioned at a height of 3,500 feet from sea level. It is one of the chief tourist magnetisms of the district. It takes only 45 minute drive from Bandarban town to reach to the hill. The journey will consist of traveling on zigzag road and with a stunning view of Shangu River which will give a breathtaking experience for life time. There is a rest house and a Telecommunication tower on the top of the hill. The scene of the drifting clouds plunging down over the hills is amazingly romantic. It’s so appealing that you would like to come here again and again.
Nil Giri and Thanchi. Nilgiri is one of the tallest peaks and beautiful place in Bangladesh and lies some 46 km from the town. There is beautiful resort in the top of the mountain maintain by the Bangladesh Army there is restaurant, helipad.
Transportation
You can go to Bandarban in three ways. A direct bus ride from Dhaka is the easiest way. It will take 6 hours to get there. Dolphin, Saudia and S Alam are the bus services that run daily to Bandarban from Dhaka. Buy tickets in advance is needed on the high tourist season.
Other way is a bus ride from Chittagong. Buses are available from Purbani at Bahaddarhaat and it takes 2 hours to reach Bandarban. You can go to Chittagong from Dhaka there are also three options - taking a flight, a bus ride or a train ride.
And the third way is from Cox’s Bazar to Bandarban by road which will take 3 hours. You can go to Cox’s Bazar by both air and road. As Bandarban has no airport and train station, you can’t go there by air or train. You can also rent car for visiting Bandarban. This can be done from both Dhaka and Chittagong.
Office - (0361) 62501
Residence - (0361) 62502
District Judge
Office - (0361) -
Residence - (0361) -
Civil Surgeon
Office - (0361) 62537
Residence - (0361) 62524
Sadar Hospital
Office - (0361) 62544
Residence - (0361) -
District Jail
Office - (0361) 62280
Residence - (0361) -
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