Monday, April 20, 2009

Famous Tea Plantations in the World | Sylhet, Bangladesh

Located in the North-Eastern region of Bangladesh, Sylhet is one of the famous and beautiful city for its terraced tea gardens, rolling countryside and the exotic flora and fauna.
The city lying between the Khasia and the Jaintia hills on the north and the Tripura hills on the south. The Valley formed by two beautiful Winding River named SURMA and KUSHIARA. Both of these two rivers are fed by innumerable hill streams from the north and the south. There are other famous River here named KHOWAI, KALNI, MANU etc.




There are a number of Haors, Baors, Beels, Jheels which are big natural depressions. During winter these Haors are vast stretches of cultivated green land, but in the rainy season they look like turbulent seas. Sylhet has a very interesting and rich history. Before 1303 BC it was ruled by local chieftains. In 1303, the great Saint Hazrat Shah Jalal (R) came to Sylhet from India with a number of his follower to deliver the message of Islam. During this period Raja Gour Gobinda was defeated by him. From then Sylhet called district of Saints, Shrines and Vigorous people.

Fro its natural resources Sylhet become easily attractive and from the 18th Century Englishmen first start Tea Plantations here. Srimangal, about 80 km away from Sylhet town, known as the Tea capital of Bangladesh. There are more than 150 Tea gardens in Sylhet and Largest Tea Garden in the world.







AREA:
The area is about 12595.95 sq km, is bounded by:
North Side à Meghalaya State of India
South Side à Tripura State of India
East Side à Assam State of India
West Side à Dhaka and Chittagong division of Bangladesh.
INTERESTING PLACES:
The Shrine of Great Saint Hazrat Shahjalal (R) & Hazrat Shah Paran (R):
Even today, more than six hundred years after the death of Saint Hazrat Shah Jalal, 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, defeated the then Hindu Raja (king) Gour Gobinda. He 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

Madhabkunda:
Madhabkunda, about 3 km from Dakhinbagh Railway station. Water Lilies, a lush number of tea states and the famous Madhabkunda water fall is the main attraction here. Every year a large number of tourists came here. A lot of Lemon and Rubber plantation form a beautiful Landscape. Few years ago in Magurchara ruined Gas and Oil reserved field, a number of trees were burnt during a terrible disaster. A lots of burnt trees now carrying the symbols of the disaster.
Shahi Eidgah:
About 3 km to the north-east from Sylhet circuit house. During 17th century Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb built this famous Eidgah on a hill. It looks like a grade fort but is actually meant for Eid Festivals.
Temple of Sri Chaitannya Dev:
Located about 45 km south-east from Sylhet town. The temple is a 500 years. The place is revered from being the ancestral home of the famous Vaishnava saint. Every year a fair organized here on the full moon day of Bangla month Falgun. Hundreds and thousands of devotees came here every year in the fair from home and abroad.




Lawacherra Rain Forest:
An important & well-reserved forest in Bangladesh. Visitor can see here gibbons swimming through the trees and birds like bee-eater owls parrot. The terrain is hilly and vegetation is fairly thick. Only one rare Chloroform tree of Asia is here and a prime attraction of travel. The forest is a good habitant of Deer, leopard, wild chicken, squirrel, and python.


Jaintiapur:
Located on the Sylhet-Shilong road, about 43 km to the north of Sylhet town. Interesting ruins of this forgotten period lie scattered throughout Jaintiapur. Once, Jaintiapur was the capital of an ancient kingdom which included the khasi and Jaintia hills and the plains of Jainta. A drive to Jaintiapur is an interesting and worthwhile experience.

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.

Tamabil-Jaflong:
Tamabil is a Bangladesh-Indian 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. Another famous water fall is Jaflong, a scenic spot nearby amidst tea gardens and rate beauty of rolling stones from hills.




Srimangal:
Srimongal, The land of two leaves and a bud, the tea capital of Bangladesh is famous for the largest tea gardens in the world covered like a lush green carpet. Here one can have a look into the Tea processing at Tea Research Institute. Every year Bangladesh produces and exports a large quantity of high quality tea. Most of the tea estates in Sylhet are in Srimongol. The terraced tea garden, pineapple, rubber and lemon plantations form a beautiful landscape. After entering into the tea estates the smells and the green beauty will lead you many kilometers away.




Haripur Gas Field:
About 22 km 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 Assam Bengal Cement Factory is here, Chhatak is famous for orange garden.




ATTRACTIONS:
Monipuri-Dance:
The lifestyle of tribes such as the Tipperas, the Monipuris, Khasis and Garos is one of the Interesting features of Sylhet. They still live in their primitive ways in the hills, practicing their age-old rites, rituals, customs and traditions. Manipuri is famous for its rich culture especially for dancing, singing and for their traditional weaving. During the Rash Leela (Whole night in February) and Doljatra festivals are so attractive. All the 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. 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".

Handicrafts:
Sylhet is well-known for its wide variety of exquisite handicrafts. You can buy their handicrafts exquisitely woven woolen. Other Handicrafts like Shawls, Sharees, Napkins, bed-covers and bags.Sylhet cane products ar well known such as chair, table, tea trays, flower vases and the exquisitely designed fine Sital Pati (a kind of mattress having natural cooling effect) are colorful souvenirs.
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