Nadira Islam
The earth speaks many language, which nature expresses through its own beauty. It is told that we should visit at least one new place every year. Now-a-days we are always busy with our livelihood. If you could manage your time for 2 or 3 days, must visit Durgapur. One of such unique beauties is the name of Susang Durgapur. A country of Garo Hills which falling near the border area of India, Durgapur hold the reminiscent touch of the Meghalaya. Susang Durgapur of Birishiri is located at Netrokona district about 178 km north from Dhaka. It’s not only blessed by charismatic natural beauty, is also reach in ethnic culture as there are many ethnic groups like – Hajong, Garo, Achik and Mandi etc lives here. Many people around the world come here to learn the ethnic culture and livings. If you want to enjoy the unique beauty of pinkish hills, blue water pond, sinuous river and pure wilderness of nature you can visit Durgapur.
Durgapur is enriched with versatile topography. The remote area of Bangladesh attracts the outdoor enthusiast from within and outside the country for its mesmerizing natural beauty. The most popular tourist spots of Durgapur includes Shomeshwari River, China Clay Hill, China Clay Lake, Ranikhong Church, Hajong Mata Roshimoni Monument, Comrade Moni Singh Monument, Cultural Academy, Fanda Valley, Guccho Gram (Garo village), Tribal community of Hazong people, Ramkrisna Temple, Bijoypur Border, Orange Forest, Kongsha River, Gajaria Forest etc.
Shomeshwari River can be called the heart of Durgapur, the enchanting beauty of this river definitely steal everyone mind. That is one of the most stunning river which originating from the Garo Khasi rang at Meghalaya in India. The river is flowing with its current, stones and coal are floating. It’s clear and cold water will make anyone’s mind feel better. On the full moon night the water of the calm river shines silver in the moonlight. An enchanting unimaginable beautiful scene is create. Engine driven boats and dinghy boats both run on the river.
You have also noticed that there are many people are collecting stone, coal, sand and also catching fish in the river. With the change of seasons, this magical river Shomeshwari brings changes in this landscape. Monsoon rains make this river unruly but blossom its beauty in full. But during the winter the water dries up almost and covered with sand dunes. Then the wooden bridge was built at the initiative of the local people, all kinds of vehicles can be parked with the wooden bridge, which is not possible in the rainy season.
Though there are some place of white clay in Bangladesh but the largest amount of white clay or ‘sada mati’ at Bijoypur area of Durgapur upazila. That has been an attractive tourist place around the worlds due to its diversified natural beauty, greenery, hills and hillocks, forests, rivers, water bodies and also the enriched natural resources. In Bangladesh largest deposit of white clay is situated at Bijoypur, Durgapur, Netrokona of Mymensingh division which was discovered in 1957. There is amazing pinkish color soil which makes these hills stand out from general hills.
There are some special chemical composition behind this exclusive pinkish hill. You can hike these ceramic hills to add some thrills. You will find like a paradise called ‘Limestone Lake’, which also known Neel pukur, China Matir Lake etc. The mystery behind its exclusive blue water is the presence of chemical compounds especially Copper Sulphate in the soil, it is more common in winter seasons. The heart touching scenic beauty of this divine blue water will heal anyone soul and taking far away from all types of worries as well as busy life. But being mesmerized by the beauty of this pond, don’t try to jump in the water. That is fairly deep, so any attempt for swimming can cost your life.
During your journey towards Ceramic Hills, you will find the Hajong Roshimoni Monument which was built as a remembrance of courageous sacrifice of Hajong Roshimoni. During British empires the Zaminder used to own all lands of this area. The poor farmer were permitted to cultivate the lands but were forced to pay their yield which made them economically handicapped. In 1938 the ethnic farmer of Netrokona and Mymensingh created a collective movement called Tonk Andolon under the leadership of Roshimoni. In 1946, Roshimoni Hajong was mercilessly killed by the dictator. This monument inspire the people and the tourists to stand against oppression. Every year a fair is organizesd in his memory, where foreigners also join.
When you are in Durgapur, don’t miss the BGB camp located adjacent to the Bangladesh-India border at Bijoypur Netrokona. From this place, you can enjoy the mind-blowing cloud-hugging green mountains of Meghalaya in India. BGB camp is standing beside the Shomeshwari River, you can take a boat trip to view the surrounding place. Near BGB camp you can visit Orange hill, which is another tourist attraction of Durgapur. Ranikhong Church is another tourist attraction of Durgapur. This holy place was built from 1910 to 1915. Next to it is a Church, a school and a hostel for students. Standingover a small hillock, this historical church attracts both the pious minds and the tourists.
Madhabpur Tila is another beauty of Durgapur, which is located almost 3 km away from the Ceramic Hills. A different place to enjoy the proximity of the green and cool frosty air. There is a huge pond at the beginning of tila, which is known as one of the mysterious ponds of the so-called story. Inside the tila, there are a variety of trees, including shals and Gajaria. This tila covers a huge area. There was a stone tomb in the middle of the tila, which is now on the verge of extinction. The soil of this tila is very slippery during the rainy season.
There is another historical monument of Comrade Moni Singh monument at Durgapur. Comrade Moni Singh was one of the advisors of the anti-British movement, Tank movement, expatriate government during the war of liberation and the founding president of the Communist Party of Bangladesh. A seven-day fair and cultural program is held every year at the premises of Tank Shaheed Memorial in Durgapur in memory of Comrade Moni Singh. It started every year on 31st December and lasted till 6th January.Fanda Valley is recently one of the attractions of Durgapur. If you want to see the picture of the fair of mountains, rivers and village through the eyes of a bird, you must go to Fanda Valley.
Rows of small and big hills surround it, and a mountain river flows along the side. Hundreds of unnamed flowers are always welcoming. In some place there are bridge from one hill to another. If you are an adventure lover, then you must enjoy.
Birishiri Cultural Academy one of the cultural academy in Bangladesh. This cultural and research institution has a rest house, auditorium and museum. In this museum, there is various ornaments, traditional cloth, and agricultural items of Garo and Hajong people. You can observe the lifestyle of two ethnic group- Hajong and Garo people in Durgapur. If you interested to know about the culture, lifestyle and history of ethnic people you should visit Cultural Academy. That was the former palace of Maharaja (King) Susang at Bishiri in Durgapur.
Some historical things of Susang Raja for example some parts of Susang Raja’s house, pond, temple are still in Durgapur. In addition, several educational institutions in Durgapur still retain the relics of the Susang Raja. Some parts of these institutions still retain the royal style of construction of that time. If you are interested you can also visit this area.
How to Reach Birishiri, Durgapur?
You can start the journey from Dhaka and reach Durgapur by bus, train, or private transport. From the Mohakhali bus stand of Dhaka, you can take bus heading towards Birishiri. The journey will take around 5 hours. The condition of the road is good, the problem is not so much. Occasionally there may be some problems. However, the train journey is comparatively more comfortable than the bus ride. Reaching Kamalapur Railway station, catch the train Balaka or the Dhaka-Jharia route. This journey by train usually takes around 6-7 hours. From Jharia you have to come down to Durgapur, from here you can go to any of your spots. If you visit all the spot of Durgapur, you must have to stay at least 2 days. You can stay at local hostel near Susong Durgapur town. There are several residential hotels: YWCA rest house, YMCA rest house, Hotel Gulsan, Hotel Nirala, Shomeshwari Luxury Hotel etc. to stay in.
And of course, don’t throw waste here and there. Keep clean the environment of tourists spot.
Author is an Associate Editor at The Environment Review
envreview.com 