Bangladesh Travel in Barisal

Barisal City

Barisal is an old port on the Kirtankhola on the northern shore of the Bay of Bengal in southern Bangladesh. It is now the divisional headquarter of the Barisal Division and consists of 30 wards and 50 mahallas. The area of the town is 19.99 km². Barisal municipality was established in 1957 and was turned into a City Corporation in 2000.

Barisal
— Metropolitan city —
Nickname(s): Chandradvipa
Barisal Location of Barisal in Bangladesh
Coordinates: 22°48′0″N 90°30′0″E / 22.8°N 90.5°E / 22.8; 90.5
Country	Bangladesh
Division	Barisal Division
District	Barisal District
Establishment	0000[1]
Granted city status	2003[2]
Government
- City Mayor	Shawkat Hossain Hiron
Area[3]
- Metropolitan city	19.99 km2 (7.7 sq mi)
Population (2008)[4]
- Metropolitan city	210,374
- Density	10,524/km2 (27,257/sq mi)
- Metro	3,858,093
Time zone	BST (UTC+6)
Postal code	8600
GDP (2005)	$00 billion
Calling code	000
Website	www.barisal-website.com

History

Barisal was a semi-independent area in Mughal period. In course of time, it fell under Bengal Nawabs and British India, later passed to Bangladesh.

Following the partition of India in 1947, the area of Bangladesh became a province of Pakistan, initially known as East Bengal, and then, from 1955, as East Pakistan. The people of East Pakistan Province declared their independence as the nation of Bangladesh on March 26, 1971, while fighting a savage war against the central Pakistani government. The separation from Pakistan took place, with extensive aid from India, on December 16, 1971 as a result of the third Indo-Pakistan War. Bangladesh was soon recognized by most other nations, although Pakistan withheld diplomatic recognition until 1974 and China did not recognize the nation until 1976. Bangladesh was admitted to the United Nations in 1974.

The central city of this region is the city of Barisal. It is one of the biggest river port in Bangladesh. It is a city with nearly 0.38 million people and a divisional headquarter, medical college, cadet college, some pharmaceutical industries, textile industries and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority's head office. Barisal is fast growing city of our country stands on the Kirtankhola River. Country's first short landing and take off airport has been completed over there in Barisal and a private Airlines named Air Bengal has begun its regular air flight between Dhaka Tejgaon Airport and Barisal.

The city is sometimes called the "Venice of the East" or the "Venice of Bengal".

Population

According to an estimate of 2008 Barisal has a population of 210,374; male 53.28%, female 46.72%. Literacy rate among the town people is 65%.

Population by Religion

• Muslim 90.64%; Hindu 8.38% and Christian 0.98%.
• Mosque: 130, church: 5
• Temple: More than 200

Educational institutions

Bibir Pukur, Barisal

Divisional Headquarter, Barisal

The city’s education institutions are one of country’ best.

• University college: 1
• Polytechnic institute: 1
• Medical college: 1
• Physical education college: 1
• Teacher's training college: 2
• Nursing institute: 1
• Cadet college: 1
• Government college: 7
• Non-government college: 7
• Government high school: 2
• Non-government high school: 55
• Junior school: 7
• Government primary school: 175
• Non-government primary school: 133.

• Famous Instituons: Barisal Polytechnic Institutions
• Famous Schools: Barisal Govt. Girls High School, Barisal Zilla School
• Medical College: Sher-E-Bangla Medical college
• Cadet College Barisal Cadet College
• University College: Govt. BM college. (Brojomohun College)

Publications

• Locally published newspapers and periodicals Dailies:

Biploby Bangladesh(1971)Shahnama, The Daily Barisal Protidin, Probashi, Gram Samachar, Ajker Barta, Barisal Barta, Banglar Ban, Rupantar Sathi, Saikot Barta, Darpan, Dipanchal, Ajker Kantha; periodicals: weekly Lokabani, Bakerganj Parikrama, Chirantan Bangla, Upakul, periodicals Paira, the River, Etibriti, Khadem, Chirantan Bangla, Upakul, Samachar, Gournadi Parikrama; extinct; Barisal Bartabaha (1870), Hitasadhini (1871), Banglar Ranjika (1873), Kashipur Nibasi (1881), Swadesh (1885), Bharat Hitoishi (1882), Barisal Hiroishi (1885), Bikash (1900), Sahayogi (1885), Praddip (1927), Tarun (1923), Pathik (1925), Bahumihir (1926), Protiva Tangim (1949), Parimal Bahini (1859).

Land

• Cultivable land: 219.03 km²
• Single crop: 36.06%
• Double crop: 46.57%
• treble crop: land 17.37%.

Transport

• Road: 200 km
• Airport: 1
• Port: Internal port

River is also a popular transport system with other district.The luxurious launch journey connects between the south and Dhaka city. It is one of the most enjoyable night journey ever you could get in your life. The launches are really royal, majestic and with pomp and pleasure. Some royal launches are:

• MV Sundarban 7
• MV Sundarban 8
• MV Surovi 8
• MV Surovi 7
• MV Surovi 6
• MV Dipraj
• MV Parabat 11
• MV Parabat 9
• MV Parabat 7
• MV Kirtonkhola 1
• MV Kalam Khan

Name of some Bus in Barisal route. 1. Eagle Paribahan. 2. Sakura Paribahan. 3. Druti Paribahan. 4. Hanif Enterprise. 5. Ilish Paribahan.

Economy

Barisal is a rice producing center of Bangladesh. Balam (a kind of baasmati) is the most popular rice in Barisal. It is also famous for Betel Leaf, a typical south Asian chewing item. As Barisal is surrounded by river so fish is plenty in there.It is said.. "Dhan (paddy) nadi (river) Khal (canal) ai tine Barisal." Means, paddy,river and canal this three thing makes Barisal. Coconut is very common in there as it is a costal area. Hog Plum in Barisal is very famous. Exports: Fish, medicine, bidi (local tobacco) and handicrafts.

Noted Barisailese

• Utpal Dutt (29 March 1929 – 19 August 1993), was an Indian actor, director and writer-playwright
• A.K. Fazlul Huq , (Mayor of kolkata (1935, first Muslim mayor of kolkata), Prime Minister of undivided Bengal (1937-1943) and of East Bengal (1954), Home Minister of Pakistan (1955) and Governor of East Pakistan (1956-1958)
• Mohiuddin Jahangir (Bir Shreshto) was a Captain in the Bangladesh Army during the 1971 Liberation War. The main gate of Dhaka Cantonment- "Shaheed Jahangir Gate" is named in his honour.
• Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah Founder Editor of The Daily Ittefuq.
• Anil Biswas (composer) noted Hindi and bengali film song composer
• Altaf Mahmud noted bengali film song composer and one of the martyred intelligentsia in 1971.
• Jibanananda Das, famous Bengali poet.
• Aroj Ali Matubbar, noted Astronomer and Philosopher.
• Pannalal Ghosh renowned musician and flutist
• Parul Ghosh, Hindi and bengali film singer
• Utpal Dutta, actor
• Sufia Kamal, poetess
• Amal Kumar Raychaudhuri, physicist
• Abala Bose, social reformer and wife of Jagadish Chandra Bose
• Tapan Raychaudhuri, noted historian.
• Partha Dasgupta, eminent economist.
• Mithun Chakraborty, famous actor.
• Sushmita Sen, famous actress.
• Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, Minister of parliamentary affairs and information, India.
• Kamini Roy, famous poetess and first woman graduate with honours in the subcontinent .
• Kusumkumari Das, poetess and mother of Jibanananda Das
• Kadambini Ganguly, first female graduate and first female physician in the entire British empire
• Aswini Kumar Dutta, social reformer and philanthropist

Main Tourist Spots in Barishal Division :

:: Kuakata

Kuakata, locally known as Sagar Kannya (Daughter of the Sea) is a rare scenic beauty spot on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh. Kuakata in Latachapli union under Kalapara Police Station of Patuakhali district is about 30 km in length and 6 km in breadth. It is 70 km from Patuakhali district headquarters and 320 km from Dhaka.

[Kuakata Seabeach]

At Kuakata excellent combination of the picturesque natural beauty, sandy beach, blue sky, huge expanse of water of the Bay and evergreen forest in really eye-catching. From its seashore you can watch both sunrise and sunset. The coconut trees increase the scenic beauty of this seashore.

The main tourist season is in winter but all over the year tourists visit this place. In Kuaka you can visit the life style of tribe Rakhains, who are very friendly to the tourist and visitors.

You can visit Buddhist Temple where you can see the statue of Goutom Buddha and two wells of 200 years old. Local name of the well is Kua and Kata is a local name of digging a well; so was the name Kuakata. Fisherman village is another place where you can visit and watch the lifestyle of the Fisherman.

[Rakhain Girl at Kuakata]

If you are adventurous you may also go for fishing on the fishing boat if you can manage the local fishermen. That will give you pleasure and experience, which you won’t be able to gather from anywhere else. In the fishermen village you will find the fishermen coming back from the fishing and you can purchase some fresh Hilsha fish from them, and by the side of village there are some local restaurants from where you can get the Hilshas cooked and ready for eating. You will remember the wonderful taste of the fresh Hilshas of Kuakata for a long time. From Kuakata you can visit to a part of the great Sundarban forest, which is called Gangamoti Reserve Forest. Don’t forget to visit Fatra’s Chor another tourist place nearby Kuakata.

Kuakata is one of the rarest places, which has the unique beauty of offering the full view of the rising and setting of crimson sun in the water of the Bay of Bengal in a calm environment. That perhaps makes Kuakata one of the world's unique beaches. The long and wide beach at Kuakata has a typical natural setting. This sandy beach has gentle slopes into the Bay of Bengal and bathing there is as pleasant as is walking or diving.

[Sunrise at Kuakata]

Kuakata is truly a virgin beach-a sanctuary for migratory winter birds, a series of coconut trees, sandy beach of blue Bay, a feast for the eye. Forest, boats plying in the Bay of Bengal with colorful sails, fishing, towering cliffs, surfing waves everything here touches every visitor's heart. The unique customs and costumes of the 'Rakhyne' tribal families and Buddhist Temple of about hundred years old indicate the ancient tradition and cultural heritage, which are objects of great pleasure Kuakata is the place of pilgrimage of the Hindus and Buddhist communities. Innumerable devotees arrive here at the festival of 'Rush Purnima' and 'Maghi Purnima'.

On these two days they take holy bath and traditional fairs are held here. All these additional offers to panoramic beauty make the beach more attractive to the visitors. One should visit Kuakata and discover the lovely grace of Bangladesh.

Means of Communication: There exists road communication between Dhaka and Patuakhali district headquarters. Accessible by road, water or air transport up to Barisal. Then one may travel by road or water to Kuakata or Patuakhali. From Dhaka you can go to Patuakhali by bus & from there by microbus to Kuakata. It is advisable to go Patuakhali by launch, which is an overnight journey, and you can enjoy the unique beauty of Bangladesh Rivers at nighttime during this journey. Instead of Potuakhali you can go to Khepupara by launch, which is also an overnight journey and from Khepupara you can go to Kuakata by microbus. A direct BRTC bus service is also available from Dhaka to Kuakata that leaves from Sayedabad Bus terminal at night takes 12 hours to reach Kuakata. But it might be a hectic bus journey as a number of ferries are there on the way to Kuakata by road. BRTC has introduced direct bus service from Dhaka to Kuakata via Barisal.

Where to stay: There are some hotel and motels in Kuakata where you can stay, but Holiday Homes is the best place to stay in Kuakata. It is a motel of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation and its better if you confirm your booking from Dhaka in advance.

:: Horinghata

Horinghata is a place where you can see deer roaming around. In Horinghata forest sometimes the Royal Bengal Tiger is seen. Horin is a Bengali word for deer. So name itself express why it's called Horinghata. You can go to Horinghata from Borguna District.