beautiful BANGLADESH from inside and outside: The Famous Mainamati Lalmai | Salvan Bihar | 2nd World War Cemetery | Kotila Mura | BARD | Khadi

The city Comilla is located in the South-Eastern part of Bangladesh, about 97 km from Dhaka (Capital of Bangladesh) and situated along with the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway. The region was once under the ancient Samatat and joined with Tripura State (India). In 1970 the district was established as Tripura district.

During 8th century AD Mainamati-Lalmai was ruled by Deva Dynasty. In 9th century the district was came under the reign of the Kings Harikela and in 10th and mid 11th century AD ruled by Chandra Dynasty. The British East India Company started ruled over here in 1765 AD. It was established as Tripura district in 1790 AD. In 1960 AD the district was renamed Comilla. Chandpur and Brahmanbaria together was called the Biggest Comilla and 1984 this two region was transformed into another two district.

CLIMATE and GEOGRAPHY:

The total land area of the City is about 280 sq km and is located at 23°27′0″N, 91°12′0″E. It is bounded by:

North: Burchiganj Thana and Tripura (India)
South: Laksham and Chauddagram Thana
West: Barura
East: Tripura (India)

The major rivers GUMTI and Little FENI pass through Comilla. The Tropic of Cancer (23°5') crosses Comilla town on the south side of the city just over the Thomson Bridge.

The city is 6 m Height from Sea Level.

Places inside the City:

There are some famous and interesting places inside Comilla City. It’s not a very big city but not a small one. Since the district was ruled under Tripura State, so many sign of kings and Dynasty can be seen here.

Dhormo Sagor (Biggest pond in Comilla)
Rani Kuti (Built for queen of Tripura for some days staying)
Rani Dighi, Nanua Dighi (Other famous pond)
Kali Bari
A little Zoo
EPZ (once it was a big Airport in Bangladesh)
Comilla Victoria College (Established before more than 100 years by RAJA Rai Bahadur Ananda Chandra Roy)
Comilla Eidgah, Shishu Academy, and some others.

Mainamati-Lalmai Range:

Mainamati, only 114 km from Dhaka. Its an isolated low, Dimpled range of hills, dotted with 8th and 12th centuries 50 ancient Buddhist Settlements. Its an extensive center of Buddhist Culture. These are knows as famous Mainamati-Lalmai range are extended througn Comilla. The whole range of hillocks run for about 18 km, and is studded with more than 50 sites. A site museum stored the Archaeological things which include Bronze statues and caskets, Terracotta plaques, Utensils, Coins jewelry, Pottery and Votive stupas embossed with Buddhist inscription.

Salvan Vihara (Monastery of Shalvan Forest) and Ananda Vihara:

Also called Shalbon Bihar, It was the royal palace for the early Buddhist Students. This range of hill consists of 115 cells. Students from various places come here for their Meditation and Religious learning. It’s such a quite place inside a barren forest. During their study period the students stay in the Dormetory/Cells around the temple. Before 1200 years ago the King Bhava Deva built that place on a 167.6 sq m ground. The range was built around a spacious courtyard with Cross-shaped temple in the center facing its only gateway complex to the north resembling that of the Paharpur Monastery. About 2 km north from Shalbon Bihar there is another monastery called “Ananda Vihara / Anondo Bihar”.

Kotila Mura Charpatra Mura:

About 5 km north from Shalbon Bihar inside Comilla Cantonment and situated on a flattened mound named Kotila Mura. It is a picturesque of famous Buddhist establishment in Comilla. Three stupas are standing here side by side that represents the Buddhist "Trinity" or three jewels: the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Charpatra Mura is an isolated small rectangular figure of shrine located about 2.5 km North-west of kotila Mura. The only approach to Charpatra Mura is from the East through a gateway which leads to a spacious hall.

The Second World War Cemetery:

Before the 2^nd World war, Mainamati was a hamlet of a few dozen huts. A huge number of military camps established there during the war. Several ordnance depots and a number of military hospitals, both British and Indian, were in the area and the majority of the burials in Mainamati War Cemetery were from the various hospitals. The cemetery was started by the Army and laid out by the garrison engineer. It is such a nice place dominated by a small flat-topped hill crowned with indigenous flowering and evergreen trees. This hill laid the Christian Graves between the entrance and on the far side of it are the Muslim graves. A Cross of Sacrifice stands on a terrace about half-way up the hill and on the other side a shelter looks over the Muslim graves to a tree-framed view of the countryside beyond. There are over 700, 2^nd world war casualties memories in this cemetery.

BARD (Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development):

This is said to be one of the main attractions in Comilla. BARD is an Institution for conducting research and action research; execute projects and pilot experiment and imparting training in the areas of rural development. The beautiful gardens and well planned plantations of various kinds of trees are really pleasant here. Here the authority gave the facility to arrange seminar, symposium and training. It is one of the best venues in

Bangladesh

for organizing seminar, symposiums and workshops or any other activities like that. It has an accommodation facility for over 250 persons and the cafeteria here provides a good quality foods.

Comilla Khade:

Also called Khadi, a local made products but famous. The factory is in Chandina (a Thana of Comilla district located west side of Comilla city). The cloths are made according to the demands of customer. This cloth is so famous that it’s also exported to foreign countries. Some famous khadi products are: fatowa, Lungi, Bed sheet, Panjabi, Shirt, Gamsa etc.

Rivers in Comilla:

There are a number of big and small rivers in Comilla. Among them the longest are: Gumti, Titas, Dakatia and Dhanagoda. One of the very big River in

Bangladesh

named Meghna passes through Homna & Meghna Upazila in Comilla. And the other smalls are: Haora, Kathalia, Sonai, Pagli, Satnal, Dapla Gang, Buri, Khaliajhuri, Bijoy Ganga, Batakandi, Gopi, Moricha, Ghungat, Kheru Nadi, Baijani, Shirai, Chandina Khal, Kakri, Malda, Anderson Khal, Aarshi, Marjora, Matlab, Udnandi or Udmadhi, Kagni, Harimangal, Sonaimuri, Kurulia, Jaidind, Handachera, Jangalia, Durduria, Kaladumuria, Bijoypur Khal, Burigang, Chauddagram Khal, Nolia, Bijoli, Ghungar.