Lonely Traveler

Sunrise at St Martin Island, Bangaldesh(সেন্ট মার্টিন দ্বীপে সূর্যোদয়)

2012-01-27T11:28:00.000-08:00

Saturday, 21 January 2012

There are very few places at Bangladesh from where you can enjoy both the sunset and sunrise. Saint Martin Island is one of those. From the island it is possible to enjoy sunset and sunrise easily. We have stayed two days there, and everyday we have enjoyed the sun enthralling rising at morning.

Our hotel was at the eastern bank of the island. So it wasn't any hard work to enjoy the sunrise. 06:42 am at morning was the sunrise time for the day. So we have waked up at 06:30 at morning and within 5 minutes reached at the beach beside the hotel.

As it was winter, the sky around the beach was a bit foggy. I was a bit tensed about the view of sunrise. But slowly the sun started to showing its face. I have watched lot of sunrises in my life, but never experienced anything at sea or river. Also none of those was from the zero minute. So I was exulted by my first experience.

Being winter, the weather was chilling and the wind from the ocean was blowing heavily. I was a different kind of feeling on such incident. There was a large group who were also with us to enjoy the beauty of sunrise. Bonus was the invigorating breezes from the ocean.

After the sunrise, we have gone to the bed for another nap. Later we have explored the Chhera Dip(ছেড়া দ্বীপ) by walking the whole day. I'll share that experience soon.

Sunset at Saint Martin Island, Bangladesh(সেন্ট মার্টিন দ্বীপে সুর্যাস্ত)

2012-01-27T10:41:00.000-08:00

Friday, 20 January 2012

It is our first day at Saint Martin Island of Bangladesh(সেন্ট মার্টিন আইল্যান্ড, বাংলাদেশ). After the lunch, we have reached at the beach located at the northern shore of the island. Our main target was to observe the sunset from the beach.

Two kids are collecting mussel from the beach.

As we still had more than few hours on hand, we have decided to freshen up at low tide waves from the beach. It is Friday, but interestingly this portion of the island was having less crowed. Anyway, I think more than an hour we have splashed the waves.

The sun is almost down, just few left(05:37 pm).

Now its time to enjoy the sunset view. By any means, we needed to reach at the western bank of the island, otherwise we wouldn't have the best view for the advent sunset. We were walking at the beach, and equally the sun was closing to its destination. 05:37 pm was the today's time for sunset.

When we have reached at the western shore of the island, everything was set for the show. Only few tourists and we were standing on the wet beach for saying the sun a goodbye for the day. To me, sunset is always lovely around the rivers and the seas. I love to watch such things again and again, and never feel tired.

As usual after sunset everything starts to get darker very quickly. So we have decided to return our hotel room. During the night we'll be enjoying the Barbi-Q of Rup Chanda Fish(রূপ চান্দা মাছ), and Koral Fish(কোরাল মাছ).

Sheora Gachh(শেওড়া গাছ) - Trophis aspera

2012-01-27T04:17:00.000-08:00

Please comment below, if you know more about this plant...
গাছটি সম্পর্কে কারো কাছে অধিক তথ্য থাকলে নীচে মন্তব্য করুন...

শেওড়া গাছের নাম শুনলেই প্রথমে আসে ভূত, পেত্নী, শাকচুন্নির কথা. ভুতের বইগুলোতে অনেক উল্লেখ আছে এই অদ্ভূত গাছটার. এত ঘন ঝোপালো একটা গাছ, আর গাছের ডালপালা মনে হবে একটা আরেকটার সাথে জোড়া লেগে আছে. এইসব বৈশিষ্টের কারণে এই গাছ বেয়ে উপরে উঠা অনেকটা অসম্ভবই. সম্ভবত এই কারণে এই গাছের সাথে ভূতেদের এত সক্ষতা পাওয়া যায় গল্পের বইতে. গ্রামের দিকে অনেক লোক আছে যারা রাত্রে বেলায় এই গাছের পাশ দিয়ে হেটে যেতে ভয় পাবে. আমি ভুতে বিশ্বাস করিনা, কিন্তু তার পরও রাত্রে বেলায় এই গাছের পাশ দিয়ে হেটে যেতে সময় একটু হলেও আমার গা ছম ছম করে উঠে.

There are very few trees which having direct connection with the ghosts in children's ghost stories. Sheora Gachh(শেওড়া গাছ) is one of those. According to the stories female ghosts use to live on this trees at night. Those ghosts are always referred as Petni(পেত্নী), Shakchunni(শাকচুন্নি), etc. You'll find lot of people at village where they use to scare to pass beside this tree during night.

Anyway, botanical name of this tree is Trophis aspera. It belongs to the plant family Moraceae (mulberry family or fig family). In Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ) we call this Sheora Gachh(শেওড়া গাছ). This plant is neither a weed nor an ornamental, neither it produces food nor you can use the wood from it. Only way you can use it at the burners as wood fuel.

The flower of this Sheora Plant(শেওড়া গাছ) is unisexual. Sheora Flower(শেওড়া ফুল) appears as a cluster at the stem of the plant. Color of the flower is creamy. Doesn't have any smell. I didn't see any fruit of this flower, but it must have.

This plant grows 5-7 meters in height. Small Leafs are dark green and a bit rough when mature, but slight glossy during young. After growing first few meters based on the main stem, it use to produces lot of dense stems(most of those are siamese) which made the tree almost difficult for climbing. Possibly this is the reason about why people related this plant with the ghosts.

ফুলের জন্য ভালবাসা, আমি বুনো ফুল...

Sheuli/Shefali Ful(শিউলি/শেফালী ফুল) - Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

2012-01-27T02:13:00.000-08:00

আমার পছন্দের একটা ফুলের নাম শেফালী. আমাদের বাংলাদেশে এই ফুল প্রধান দুই নামেই পরিচিত, শেফালী ফুল আর শিউলি ফুল. সদা রঙের ছোট ছোট ফুল আর বোটায় থাকে উজ্জল কমলা রঙের ছোযা. যেমন দেখতে, তেমন তার মিষ্টি গন্ধ. হিন্দু ধর্মে একে আবার স্বর্গের ফুল বলে মনে করে হয়. ধারণা করা হয় তাদের প্রভু কৃষ্ণ এই ফুল স্বর্গ থেকে মর্তে এনেছিল. ফুল ফোটে রাত্রে বেলায়, শরত আর হেমন্ত কালে. সারা রাত গাছে থাকার পরে শিশির ভেজা সকালে গাছের নিচে সকাল বেলায় পরে থাকে এই ফুল. একটা গল্প প্রচলিত আছে এক রাজকুমারীকে নিয়ে. সে সূর্যকে ভালোবেসে না পেয়ে আত্মহত্যা করে আর একটা ফুলের গাছে পরিনত হয়. সকাল বেলায় যেন সুর্যের মুখ দেখতে না হয়, তার জন্য সারারাত গাছে ফুল থাকার পর সকাল হবার আগেই ঝরে পরে গাছ থেকে. রাজকন্যার নাম ছিল পারিজাতাকা, তার নাম অনুসারে এই ফুলকে পারিজাতাকা ফুল বলেও ডাকা হয়.

I love almost every flowers of nature no matter the fragrance or the color. As long as it is a flower, i like it. But still I have a short list of favorite flowers. Sheuli Ful(শিউলি ফুল) is one from the list. In Bangladesh we call this Sheuli ful(শিউলি ফুল), Shefali ful(শেফালী ফুল), Shefalika ful(শেফালিকা ফুল ), etc. English name of the flower is Tree of Sorrow, Queen of the nigh, Coral Jasmine, etc. At the Indian myth, it is believed that this flower belongs to heaven and it was brought to the earth by Lord Krishna(কৃষ্ণ).

This flower belongs to the plant family Oleaceae (Jasmine family). Botanical or scientific name of the flower is Nyctanthes arbor-tristis(some people says Nyctanthes arbortristis or Nyctanthes arbor tristis). In Latin Nyctanthes means blooming at evening and arbor-tristis means sad or sorrow. As the flower blooms at night and sheds before the day light, people call this tree of sorrow. This plant is native to Indian territory and few part of East Asia.

In Bangladesh, this flower blooms during the autumn and keep blooming during late autumn and some part of winter. Flower blooms during night and at morning you'll find thousand of Shefali flowers(শেফালী ফুল) under the tree. It's a lovely scene to see such things at the morning, specially before sunrise. An interesting romantic story available about this flower where a princess fall in love with the Sun. After being refused by the sun, she committed suicide, and converted into Shefali Tree(শেফালী গাছ). As she can't stand the sight of her lover sun, her flowers just shed down from the tree before sunrise.

Sheuli Flower is a night blooming shrubby plant and the leafs are large and rough, arranged opposite around the stem. Flowers are small and white in color and the tubular corolla is orange in color. The combination of white and orange makes the flower more delicate. Along with the lovely outlook, the fragrance of the flower is amazingly sweet. These characteristics just made the flower favorite to most of the florist.

Fruit of Sheuli Ful(শেউলি ফুলের বীজ).

In ancient, people used to extract orange color from the corolla of Shefali flower(শেফালী ফুল). They used that color in food and dying cloths. After failing to vie with the artificial colors, now a days that process is no longer practiced among us.

Photos of this article were taken from Mohera, Tangail(মহেরা, টাঙ্গাইল). I was traveling there during January 2012.

Babla Ful(বাবলা ফুল) - Acacia nilotica

2012-01-27T00:32:00.000-08:00

হলুদ ছোট ছোট বলের মতন আকৃতির এই ফুল যখন গাছে ফোটে তখন এক সাথে অনেকগুলো হয় ঝাক বেধে. ছোট ছোট তেতুল পাতার মত এ গাছ হালকা কাটাযুক্ত হয়. কাচা ফল সাদাটে রঙের হয় আর পাকলে কালো মতন. ফল দেখতে অনেকটা পুথির মালার মতন মনে হয়. বাবলা ফুল বা গাছ নিয়ে অনেক গান কবিতা আছে. লোকগীতি থেকে শুরু করে নজরুলের কবিতায় উল্লেখ আছে বাবলার কথা. তেমনি একটা লোকগীতি হলো...

মনে বাবলা পাতার কষ লেগেছে, উঠেনা দাগ সাবানে...
গুরু আমার মনের ময়লা যাবে কে-মনে...

Babla Ful(বাবলা ফুল) is a lovely small ball shaped yellow flower. Size is almost equal to the mimosa flower. Lot of small flower puffs are arranged as a cluster and formed that ball. This is not an ornamental flowering plant, but anyone can use on such purpose as the bright yellow delicate flowers are amazingly beautiful. Fruits are like beaded necklace and it is white when young, and black after ripen.

Botanical name of Babla flower(বাবলা ফুল) is Acacia nilotica (It has lot of synonyms, one of those is Acacia arabica. This exotic plant belongs to the plant family Mimosaceae (Touch-me-not family). In Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ) we call this Babla Ful(বাবলা ফুল), Indians call this Babool(বাবুল), English people call this prickly acacia, Egyptian thorn, Gum Arabic, etc. This plant is native to Africa and Indian Subcontinent.

Babla plant(বাবলা গাছ) grows as a tree and having several meters height and the stems are having dark barks around. Leafs are twice compound, each leaf feather comprises of 11-15 branches, and each branch then formed another feather having around 30 small leafs. This plant has thorns around the stem at several places which help it to protect from animals and other stuffs.

Photos of this article were taken from St. Martin Island, Bangladesh. It was a my tour during January 2012.

ফুলের জন্য ভালবাসা, আমি বুনো ফুল...

Shim Ful(সীম ফুল) - Phaseolus lunatus

2012-01-26T08:41:00.000-08:00

আমাদের দেশে দুই ধরনের সীম হয়, একটাকে বলে সাদা, আর অন্যটাকে বলে কালো সীম. আসলে একটা সবুজ আর অন্যটা একটু লালচে হয়, এর জন্য সাদা কালো বলা হয়. এই শিম ফুলের রং আবার হয় দুই রকমের, একটা গোলাপী আর অন্যটা সাদা. বাংলাদেশের শীতকালীন সবজি হিসাবে সিমের অনেক কদর আছে. লতানো এই গাছ কৃষকরা মাচায় চাষ করে. পাতা অনেকটা প্রায় পান পাতার মতন আকৃতির. সীম গাছের লতা অনেক ধারালো হয়, সীম তোলার সময় লতার সাথে হাতের ঘষা লাগলে দাগ বসে যায়.

Phaseolus lunatus is the botanical name of Common bean that we eat as vegetable. It has several synonyms such as, Phaseolus communis, Phaseolus nanus, etc. This belongs to the plant family Fabaceae (Pea family). We call this Shim(সীম), and English people call this Bean.

Its a winter vegetable plant in Bangladesh. Both white and pink colored flower is available in two varieties. Flower doesn't have any smell, but looks attractive. It blooms as cluster from the erect steam from the vine. This annual herbaceous vine plant grows as bush. Shape of the leaf is a spade.

Bean on the plant.

Young fruits are used to make palatable dishes. When ripen, the seed of the fruit can be eaten after baked. This plant propagates using seeds. Having a hard shell around the seed, it requires around a week to grow plant from a mature seed.

Photos of this article were taken from St Martin Island, Bangladesh. It was a three days of travel during January 2012.

Bok Ful(বক ফুল) - Sesbania grandiflora

2012-01-26T07:38:00.000-08:00

বক ফুলের ছবি অনেক দেখেছি, কিন্তু কখনো এই ফুল দেখা হয় নাই. এইবার সেন্ট মার্টিন দ্বীপ ঘুরতে যেয়ে দেখি একটা গাছের নিচে অনেক সাদা সাদা বড় বড় পাপড়ি পরে আছে. অনেক টায়ার্ড ছিলাম, তাই খেয়াল করতে ভুলেগেলাম ভালো করে. আমার এক সহযাত্রী বন্ধু আমাকে একটা বড় সাদা পাপড়ি দেখিয়ে বলল এইটা কি ফুল? আমি বললাম জানি না. তার পরে মাথা তুলে উপরের দিকে তাকালাম, দেখি বক ফুল ফুটে আছে ঝাকে ঝাকে. অল্প কয়েকটা ছবি তুলেছিলাম, পরে ঢাকা এসে দেখি ছবিগুলো খুব একটা ভালো আসে নাই. তার পর আমার ব্লগে দিয়ে দিলাম সবার সাথে শেয়ার করার জন্য.

Bengali name is Bok Ful(বক ফুল), English names are hummingbird tree, corkwood tree, flamingo bill, etc. Botanical name is Sesbania grandiflora (synonym Aeschynomene grandiflora). It belongs to the plant family Fabaceae(Pea family). The color of the flower is white and it hangs like a heron from the tree for which people call this as Bok Ful(বক ফুল).

Bok ful(বক ফুল) is a fast growing tree. Shape of the leaf is elliptical/round and deciduous. Leafs are found as a cluster. Flowers are white/pink and larger in size. Fruits are like long beans. At some region of Asia, people use the flower as vegetable.

Jhinga Ful(ঝিঙে ফুল) - Luffa acutangula

2012-01-26T06:04:00.000-08:00

বাংলাদেশের একটা সবজির নাম ঝিঙ্গ. এই ঝিঙার ফুল হয় হলুদ রঙের. দেখতে খুব একটা আহামরি কিছু না, আবার নাই কোনো গন্ধ. বাংলাদেশের কৃষকরা এই সবজি এখন বানিজ্যিক ভাবে চাষ করে. ছোট বেলায় আমাদের বিল্ডিং এর সামনের ছোট টিলাতে শীতের সকালে হাজারো ঝিঙার ফুল দেখতাম. হলুদ রঙের এই ফুল নিয়ে অনেক গান কবিতা আছে. আমাদের বিদ্রোহী কবি, নজরুল ইসলাম লিখেছিল "ঝিঙে ফুল" কবিতাটি. প্রথম কয়টা লাইন হলো...

ঝিঙে ফুল! ঝিঙে ফুল!
সবুজ পাতার দেশে ফিরোজিয়া ফিঙে-কুল-
ঝিঙে ফুল।

It is actually a palatable vegetable that is known as Vegetable Gourd, Silk squash, Angled luffa, etc. Botanical name is Luffa acutangula. It is from the plant family Cucurbitaceae(Cucumber family). In Bangladesh we call this Jhinga(ঝিঙা, ঝিঙ্গ), Jhinge(ঝিঙে), etc. This plant believed to be native from Indian territory.

Flower of this climbing vine like plant is yellow in color. Petals are crepe, number of petal is five and having no fragrance. Male and female flowers are different and pollination is done by the bees. Green fruits are using as vegetable and a cleaning sponge can be derived from the mature fruits.

Pathor kuchi Ful(পাথর কুচি ফুল) - Kalanchoe pinnata

2012-01-25T09:53:00.000-08:00

উদ্ভিদ বিজ্ঞান বইতে আছে অপুষ্পক আর সপুষ্পক ফুল... আমি পাথরকুচি ফুলকে অপুষ্পক ফুল বলেই জানতাম... কিন্তু ইদানিং শুনছি এই গাছে নাকি ফুলও হয়... শুনতে শুনতে একসময় চোখের সামনেই পড়ে গেল এই গাছ, তাও আবার ফুল সহ... আমি অনেক সময় নিয়ে দেখলাম এই গাছের ফুল... আশেপাশের মানুষজন অবাক হয়ে আমাকে দেখছিল...

Common name of the flower is American Life Plant, Miracle Plant, Air Plant, etc. In Bangladesh we call this as Pathor Kuchi(পাথর কুচি). Botanical name of the plant is Kalanchoe pinnata. It is from the plant family Crassulaceae. It is native to Madagascar.

Most interesting part of this plant is the leaf. It is having saw-toothed at the border of the leaf. From the corner of the leaf, a new plant use to grow. Possibly this is the reason to call this life plant or miracle plant.

Young Miracle Plant

Flower of the plant is interesting too. Color of the flower is light green with light violet shade. Flowers bloom as a cluster at the erect steam of the plant.

This plant can grow better at shaded area or darker places. Doesn't require too much care. I had this plant at my pot during my childhood.

Photos of this article were taken from Mohera, Tangail(মহেরা, টাঙ্গাইল). During the January 2012 I went there to visit the Jomidar Palace.

Beach Morning Glory Flower - Ipomoea pes-caprae

2012-01-25T08:53:00.000-08:00

২০১২ সালটা আমার জন্য আপাতত ভালই শুরু হলো. আগের সপ্তাহে দেখলাম নীল মর্নিং গ্লোরী ফুল, আর এইবার সেন্ট মার্টিন ভ্রমন করতে যেয়ে দেখতে পেলাম আরো কিছু মর্নিং গ্লোরি ফুলের দেখা. আজকে লেখছি বীচ মর্নিং গ্লোরী ফুল নিয়ে. এর আগে শুধু বেগুনি এই ফুলের ছবিই দেখেছি, এইবার স্বচক্ষে দেখে এলাম. আমাদের দেশের দ্বীপ গুলোতে এই ফুল হরহামেশাই দেখা যায়. সমুদ্রের পারের বালুতে জন্মায় আর পানির মাধ্যমে এই ফুলের বীজ ছড়িয়ে পরে দূর দুরান্তে.

Sprawling vines over the sandy beach.

Beach morning glory flower can be in two colors, one is purple and other one is white. Both the flower has a star inside the funnel. Flowers bloom during the morning and lasts until the sunset. Size of the flower is around two inches.

Botanical/Scientific name of the flower is Ipomoea pes-caprae. Like other morning glory flowers, this one also belongs to the plant family Convolvulaceae(morning glory Family). Common name of this flower across the world is Beach Morning Glory Flower, Goat's Foot Morning Glory Flower, Railroad vine flower, etc. I don't know the Bengali name of the flower.

Beach morning glory is a sprawling vine like plant. It grows mostly at the sandy beach at seashore. Its seed can float at the sea and the salt can't do any harm to the seed. So it can disperse easily through salty water.

The leaf of this plant is interesting. It has a shape of the foot of a goat. That's why this weed flower has a name of Goat's Foot flower.

Photos of this article were taken from St Martin Island, Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ). I was traveling there during the January of 2012.

ফুলের জন্য ভালবাসা, আমি বুনো ফুল...

Dianthus Flower(ডায়ানথাস ফুল)

2012-01-24T09:36:00.000-08:00

One of the beautiful and most colorful flower from the garden is Dianthus flower. This flowering plant is native to Asia and Europe. Dianthus actually the species name of the flower which is having around 300 flowering plants. Dianthus belongs to the plant family Caryophyllaceae.

Common name of the flower is incarnation, pink, sweet william, etc. The name Dianthus actually formed from the two Greek words dios and anthos which means gods and flowers respectively. This name is cited by the famous Greek botanist Theophrastus.

Dianthus flower plant is perennial. Leafs are liner and arranged oppositely around the stem having lovely foliage. Flower appears in many colors like red, purple, white, pink, violet, mixed, etc. Flowers are having 5-7 petals and each of the petals are having asymmetric toothed at the edge.

This fragrant-less flowering plant can be planted both at the gardens and at pots. When it blooms, brings lot of flower at the same time. This flowering plant can propagate from seed or using cutting easily.

Photos of this article were taken from Mohera, Tangail(মহেরা, টাঙ্গাইল). I was traveling there during January of 2012.

Tangail: Korotia Jomidar Bari & Mosque(করটিয়া জমিদার বাড়ি ও মসজিদ)

2012-01-24T08:45:00.000-08:00

Korotia Jomidar Bari

Korotia Jomidar bari(করটিয়া জমিদার বাড়ি) is located at the Korotia of Tangail(করটিয়া, টাঙ্গাইল). The famous Jomidar(জমিদার) of Tangail, Wajed Ali Khan Panni(ওয়াজেদ আলী খান পান্নি) built that palace beside the Putia river(পুটিয়া নদী) at Korotia(করটিয়া). The whole Jomidar palace premise having 1000m x 500m dimension comprises of lot of old buildings and ponds.

Mosque near the jomidar bari

The main gate of the building is currently locked and no outsiders are entertained to have an entry. So I had to return back from there without visiting that archaic building.

So if you go there, make sure you can have an entry. From the local people I came to know that the palace is open for public at 1st and 12th boishak(বৈশাখ) of Bengali calendar, and the two Eid days.

Minaret of the mosque

Near the Jomidar bari(জমিদার বাড়ি) an old mosque is available. The mosque is having eight domes in two rows. First row is having five equal sized smaller domes and the second one is having three domes where middle one is the largest.

At the eastern side of the mosque, a 15 feet tall minaret is available with old stairs. I don't know the exact built date of the mosque. If you know, you can share as a comment at below.

How to Go:

1. Take a bus from Mohakhali(মহাখালী) Bus Stand and come to Korotia(করটিয়া). Best bus services are Nirala, Jhotika, Dholeswari(নিরালা, ধলেশ্বরী, ঝটিকা), etc. Bus fair is 100-120. GPS of the Korotia(করটিয়া) Bus Stoppage is (24°12'32.06"N, 89°58'50.33"E). It will take around 3 hours to reach there.

2. From the Korotia(করটিয়া) stoppage, take a rickshaw or auto to reach at the Jomidar(জমিদার) Palace premise. GPS of the palace is (24°13'24.59"N, 89°58'43.25"E). It will take around 10 minutes to reach there by spending 10-15 taka.

3. GPS of the mosque is (24°13'20.08"N, 89°58'46.74"E).

* Alternately, you can use your own vehicle if you like.

Where to Stay:

It is possible to go there and come back within the same day. So you don't need to worry about your accommodation.

Bachelor Button(বোতাম ফুল) - Gomphrena globosa

2012-01-23T11:08:00.000-08:00

ইংলিশ নাম ব্যাচেলর বাটন, আর বাংলায় আমরা বলি বোতাম ফুল... উলের কাপড়ের উপরে যে ছোট ছোট বোতামগুলো থাকে, লাল বেগুনি সাদা এই ফুলগুলো দেখতে অনেকটা সেইরকমই মনে হয়... আমাদের দেশে বাগানেই আমরা এই ফুল লাগায়, কিন্তু এইটার আগমন হয়েছে দক্ষিন আমেরিকার ব্রাজিল ও তার আশেপাশের দেশ থেকে...

In Bangladesh we call this Botam Ful. Common names are Bachelor Button, Globe Amaranth, gomphrena, etc. In Sanskrit this flower is know as RoktoMollika Ful(রক্ত মল্লিকা ফুল), and in Nepal it is known as Shupari Ful(সুপারি ফুল). This flower is originally native to Brazil and adjacent region. Botanical name of the flower is Gomphrena globosa and pertains to the plant family Amaranthaceae.

This annual herb flowering plant can grow up to two feet in height. Oblong leafs are arranged opposite at the stem and wooly at young. Color of the flower can be purple, red, pink, white, orange, lavender, etc. Flowers are small and looks like a button.

Shada Botam Ful(সাদা বোতাম ফুল)

Photos of this article were taken from Mohera of Tangail(মহেরা, টাঙ্গাইল). I was traveling there during January of 2012.

Dahlia Flower(ডালিয়া ফুল) - Dahlia x hybrida

2012-01-23T09:09:00.000-08:00

বাগানের সব থেকে বড় ফুলের একটা হলো ডালিয়া... উজ্জল লাল রং থেকে শুরু করে বেগুনী, হলুদ, ইত্যাদি রঙের হয়ে থাকে এই ফুল... ফুলের কোনো সুবাস নাই, শুধু মাত্র রঙের বাহারের জন্যই এই ফুলকে বাগানে ঠাই দেয়া হয়েছে...

Name of the flower is Dalia Ful(ডালিয়া ফুল), In Bangladesh. This flower is known as Dahlia Flower in English. Mainly native to Mexico and Central America. Botanical name of the flower is Dahlia x hybrida. It belongs to the plant family Asteraceae. This is the national flower of Mexico since 1963.

Its a large flowering plant that we use as ornamental at our gardens and pots. Hybridizing allowed us to see plenty of colors of this flower. Red, yellow, violet, purple, pink are the few common color for this flower. Flower doesn't have any smell. Only attractive for the color and size.

Dahlia is an annual plant and can propagate from the bulbs or seeds easily. A Dahlia seed requires 7-21 days to sprout initially. After few weeks of growing, the young plant use to transplant at gardens or pot.

Photos of this article were taken from Mohera of Tangail(মহেরা, টাঙ্গাইল), during my tour at January 2012.

Hasnahena Ful(হাস্নাহেনা ফুল) - Cestrum nocturnum

2012-01-18T09:43:00.000-08:00

এই গাছের ফুল রাত্রে ফোটে... আর মারাত্মক তীব্র গন্ধ হয়... হাসনা হেনা ফুল নিয়ে অনেক গল্পকথা প্রচলিত আছে... এই ফুলের গন্ধে নাকি সাপ চলে আসে... ফুলের গাছটা হয় ঝোপালো, আর থাকে ঘন পাতা... তাই সাপ লুকিয়ে থাকলো কিনা সেইটা আর কেউ সাহস করে পরীক্ষা করে দেখতে যায় না... গল্পতো গল্পই হয়, তার পরও আমি হাস্নাহেনা গাছের ঝোপের পাশ দিয়ে রাত্রে বেলায় যেতে সাহস পাইনা... প্রথম আমি হাসনাহেনা গাছ দেখি রাজশাহীতে... পুকুরের সান বাধানো ঘাটের দুই পাশে দুইটা ঝোপ ছিল হাসনাহেনার... এখনো ঢাকায় অনেক বাড়ির সামনে হাস্নাহেনার গাছ চোখে পরে... রাত্রে বেলায় অনেক দূর থেকেও এই ফুলের গন্ধ পেলে সহজেই চিনতে পারি...

Cestrum nocturnum is a flowering plant from the Solanaceae nightshade Family. Common names of the flower are Night Blooming Jasmine, Lady of the night, Queen of the night, etc. In our country Bangladesh, we call this is Hasna Hena Ful(হাসনা হেনা ফুল), Rat Rani(রাত রানী), etc. This exotic flowering plant is native to West Indies.

Hasnahena(হাস্নাহেনা) Flowers are creamy white in color. A bit tubular in shaped and the top of the flower has a shape like star. It has five petals. Blooms during the night. Flower has very sharp mesmerizing smell. There is a myth about the smell, people believes that snakes are lured by the smell of flower, during night.

This is a shrubby plant grows as a bush. Stems are vine line and the leafs are dark green. People plant this at there garden, specially near the front gate.

So far I have seen cutting is the best method for propagating this redolent flowering plant. Another thing, it can be dangerous if any part of the plant is somehow ingested inside the body. This plant may have few medical uses, but I don't know.

Sprawling vine like shrubby bush of HasnaHena

Photos of this article were taken from Mohera of Tangail(মহেরা, টাঙ্গাইল). I was traveling there during January 2012.

Tangail: Mohera Jomidar Bari(মহেরা জমিদার বাড়ী)

2012-01-18T06:23:00.000-08:00

Friday, 13 January 2012

Tangail(টাঙ্গাইল) is a district beside the Jamuna river(যমুনা নদী) from Dhaka division(ঢাকা বিভাগ). This district had the most Jomidar(জমিদার) than other districts of Bangladesh. Possibly every thana(থানা) of this district had a Jomidar(জমিদার). I guess there were 7/8 Jomidar(জমিদার) available in past at Tangail(টাঙ্গাইল). Both Muslim and Hinu Jomidar ruled Tangail(টাঙ্গাইল). I am going to talk about the Mohera Jomidar Palace(মহেরা জমিদার বাড়ী) that is located near at Pakulla of Mirzapur(পাকুল্লা, মির্জাপুর).

It is not sure but people believed that they have started their Jomidary(জমিদারী) somewhere around 1890. First Jomidar(জমিদার) was Kalichoron Shaha(কালিচরণ সাহা). Beside their Land Lordship, they have conducted trading related to Jute and Salt. They were the owner of huge land properties from different part of Bangladesh. During country division and war, most of them moved into India. Only very few are living at Tangail(টাঙ্গাইল). Their attractive edifices are now become a tourist spot. Since they were rich, people says they have built those building before establishing their Zomidari(জমিদারী).

Mohera Jomidar Bari(মহেরা জমিদার বাড়ী) has several main buildings. Each of those are presented below with short description.

Chowdhury Lodge(চৌধুরী লজ):

After entering the Jomidar mansion premise through the main gate, Choudhury Lodge is the first building that you'll find. Its a pink colored building having Roman/Greek styled pillars at the front side. The rich ornate building is having corrugated at the roof from inside.

Its a two stored building having a garden in front of it. This building is beautiful from the back side too. There is a playground for the kids available there.

Ananda Lodge(আনন্দ লজ):

In my opinion, Ananda lodge is the most stylish building from the entire premise. This building has a touch of white and blue. It has eight columns in front of the building.

Most attractive part of the building is the small hanging balcony at second floor. It seems like someone like Juliet used to pass her afternoon there. This building has a lovely garden at front side.

Moharaj Lodge(মহারাজ লজ):

This is a pink colored building having byzantine design. Similar to other buildings it has 6 columns at the front side. The stair in front of the building has a curved railing which just increased its beauty.

Similar to other buildings it is a two storied building having a garden at front. Behind the garden has a tennis court. The Moharaj Lodge and the Ananda Lodge are adjoining.

Kalichoron Lodge(কালিচরণ লজ):

This building is built during the last portion of the Jomidari Era. Thats why this one is looking different than other three. It is having more rooms compare to any others from the premise.

Architecture of the building is somewhat similar to the colonial era buildings. The shape of the building is like the letter 'U' in English alphabet. During the noon-afternoon, you'll find a play of light and shadow for that shape from the inside of the building.

Other Edifices(অন্যান্য ভবন):

Beside the attractive arhitectured buildings, the Zomidar premise has other buildings named as Kachari Bhobon(কাচারী ভবন), Nayeb Bhobon(নায়েব ভবন), Rani Bhobon(রানী মহল), etc. Also you'll find several large ponds around the premise. Those are named as Bishaka Shagor, Poshra Shagor, etc.

Kachari Bhobon(কাচারী ভবন)

Nayeb Bhobon(নায়েব ভবন)

How to Go:

1) A bus from Mohakhali(মহাখালী) terminal of Dhaka will take you near to the Jomidar Palace. Best available bus services are Dhaleswari(ধলেশ্বরী) Service, Jhotika(ঝটিকা) Service, etc. These are direct bus for Tangail(টাঙ্গাইল). Ask the bus to drop you at Natia Para(নাটিয়া পারা). This stoppage is just after the Pakulla of Mirzapur(পাকুল্লা, মির্জাপুর). GPS coordinate of Natia Para(নাটিয়া পারা) is (24°10'24.32"N, 90° 1'1.49"E).

2. From the Natia Para(নাটিয়া পারা) bazaar, you can take CNG auto, Tempo, Rickshaw, etc to reach the Mohera Police Training Center, where the Jomidar bari(মহেরা জমিদার) exist. GPS coordinate of the Mohera Jomidar Bari(মহেরা জমিদার বাড়ী) is (24° 9'44.49"N, 90° 2'31.99"E).

You can use your own vehicle for the short trip. If you do so, that case turn right from the Dhaka-Tangail highway at GPS point(24° 9'52.55"N, 90° 1'3.01"E).

Where to stay:

It is possible to go there and come back with in the same day. So you don't need to stay there during night. Still, if you want to stay, that case Jamuna Resort(যমুনা রিসোর্ট), Elenga resort(এলেঙ্গা রিসোর্ট) are the best facilities from the district. Also you can check few other hotels from the main town. I didn't stay there ever at night.

What to eat:

There is a canteen available at Mohera Police Training Center. So you shouldn't be worried about the lunch there.

This Jomidar palace is currently undertaken by the Police and they have established a training center there. But they allow visitors to visit the Palace for a 20 Taka ticket per person.

People can arrange picnic there too. They use to rent the spot for a large group. So if you can take your school or college students for a study tour. They will know about our history from close interaction. The contact number of the authority of Mohera Zomidar bari(মহেরা জমিদার বাড়ী) is 01714404508, 01724000237.

Cockscomb Flower(মোরগ ফুল) - Celosia argentea var. cristata

2012-01-17T09:31:00.000-08:00

মোরগ ফুল বা মোরগ ঝুটি, বাগানের একটা কমন ফুল. এই ফুলের কোনো গন্ধ নাই, কিন্তু উজ্জল রং যেকোনো পোকামাকড় থেকে শুরু করে মানুষকে পর্যন্ত আকৃষ্ট করে. এর আবার ফুল ফোটে থোকায় থোকায়. এর জন্য এই ফুলকে প্রায় প্রতিটি বাগানেই দেখতে পাওয়া যায়. একেকটি ফুলের গুচ্ছকে দেখে মনে হবে মোরগের মাথার ঝুটির মতন. এর জন্যই এই ফুলের নামের সাথে মোরগ আছে.

In Bengali this is known as Morog Ful(মোরগ ফুল), and in English this is known as Plumed Cockscomb flower. Botanical name is Celosia argentea var. cristata. Belongs to the plant family Amaranthaceae(Amaranth family). This ornamental flowering plant is native to tropical region.

Lot of small red flowers are tightly arranged as a cluster and resembled as the comb of a roster. This is the reason to call this flower as Cockscomb. In Bangladesh we call this Morog Ful(মোরগ ফুল), Morog Jhuti(মোরগ ঝুটি), etc.

This is a soft annual herb plant. Most of them don't grow that much, but few grows very tall. People grows this at gardens and pots. It brings flower in red, yellow, orange, purple, pink, white, etc colors. As it is a cluster flower, it produces lot of small seeds. Flower doesn't have any smell.

Photos of this article were taken from Mohere, Tangail(মহেরা, টাঙ্গাইল) during the tour of January 2012.

Dopati Ful(দোপাটি ফুল) - Impatiens balsamina

2012-01-16T08:26:00.000-08:00

আজকের ফুলের নাম দোপাটি ফুল. সাধারণত বাগানে লাগানো হয়. পায়ে চলা রাস্তার পাশে সারিভাবে এই ফুলের গাছ লাগানো হয়. লাল, গোলাপী, বেগুনী, কমলা, সাদা, ইত্যাদি রঙের হয়ে থাকে এই ফুল. এই ফুলের পরিপক্ক ফলকে ছুয়ে দেয়া মাত্রই স্প্রিং এর মতন লাফ দিয়ে ফেটে যায়. ফেটে যাবার সময় কালো ছোট ছোট বীজগুলো ছড়িয়ে পড়ে চারপাশে. এই ফুলের কোনো গন্ধ নাই, শুধু মাত্র বর্ণ দিয়েই মানুষকে মুগ্ধ করে.

Peach colored Dopati Ful(দোপাটি ফুল)

During my childhood the seed of this flower was more interesting to us instead of the flower. The mature seedpod burst like a spring if anyone touches that. That interesting thing was a lovely toy to us. The name of that flower is Dopati Ful(দোপাটি ফুল).

Pink colored Dopati Ful(দোপাটি ফুল)

This is a flower from the plant family Balsaminaceae with a botanical name Impatiens balsamina. This is native to southern Asia, India and Myanmar region. Few common names of the flower are Golden Balsam, Rose Balsam, etc.

Purple colored Dopati Ful(দোপাটি ফুল)

Dopati flower appears in several colors, such as red, purple, violet, pink, white, etc. Flower comes(one or more) from the joint of the stem and the leaf. It requires full sunlight for bright color and more flower blooming. The shape of the flower is like a cup. Flower doesn't have any redolence.

Peach colored Dopati Ful(দোপাটি ফুল)

This annual herbaceous plant grows 45-60cm in height(a bit bushy). Slight transparent stems are thick but soft. Leafs are spirally arranged around the stem. Leafs are having a shape like boat(fat at middle) with minuscule thorn at the border of the leaf.

Dopati Ful(দোপাটি ফুল) with seed pod.

Pollination of the flower is done by the insects, bees, and nectar suckling birds. A ripe soft seedpod use to burst from a touch and the seeds use to spread around. For this reason people call this "touch me not" flower.

Dopati Ful(দোপাটি ফুল) with seed pod.

This is an ornamental flower. Most gardeners used to plant this flower at garden, specially under the full sunlight. I haven't seen this flower at indoor gardens, like pots.

Pink colored Dopati Ful(দোপাটি ফুল)

Photos of this article were taken from Mohera, Tangail(মহেরা, টাঙ্গাইল). I was traveling there during January 2012.

Tuberose(রজনীগন্ধা) - Polianthes tuberosa

2012-01-16T06:01:00.000-08:00

একটা সময় ছিল যখন আমরা ফুলের দোকানে ঢুকলেই যে ফুলগুলো আমাদের পছন্দের তালিকায় প্রথমে ছিল তার মধ্যে একটা হলো রজনীগন্ধা ফুল. এখন সময়ের সাথে পাল্লা দিয়ে আরো অনেক বিদেশী ফুল এসে দখল করে নিয়েছে আমাদের দেশের ফুলের দোকানগুলো. কিন্তু তার পরও ফুলদানি সাজাতে অথবা কোনো বিয়ের অনুষ্ঠানে রজনীগন্ধা লাগবেই. আর ফুলের মালা বানাতে গেলে তো অন্য ফুলের সাথে রজনীগন্ধা থাকেই. সুন্দর সাদা-শুভ্র রঙের এই ফুলের গন্ধটাও বেশ মন মাতানো, আর ফুলটা ফোটে রাত্রের বেলায়, তাই এই ফুলের নাম রজনীগন্ধা ফুল. আমি মফস্সলে বড় হয়েছি, আমাদের ঐদিকে স্কুলের বিদায় অনুষ্ঠানের সময় সব ছাত্রদের হাতে একটা করে রজনীগন্ধার একটা ছড়া ধরিয়ে দেয়া হত. আবার কারো জন্মদিনে অথবা কোনো অনুষ্ঠানের অতিথিকে একগুচ্ছ রজনীগন্ধা দিয়েই বরণ করে নেয়া হতো.

English name of the flower is tuberose. Botanical or Scientific name of the flower is Polianthes tuberosa. It pertains to the plant family Asparagaceae. In our country Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ), we call this flower Rojonigondha Ful(রজনীগন্ধা ফুল), means night fragrant. In the Indian subcontinent, this flower has lot of attractive names like Shugondharaj(সুগন্ধরাজ), Nishigandha(নিশিগন্ধা), etc. This flower is native to Mexico.

This is a perennial ornamental flower and people grows this both at gardens and pots. Leafs are having grass-like foliage. Flowers are tubular and color is white. Flower comes at the erected stem from the plant as cluster. Each of those flowers from the cluster are having six petals with yellow filaments inside. Flower blooms during the night time. Flower has very sharp smell and people use to make perfume based on the fragrance of the flower.

This flower has high demand during the wedding ceremonies, making garlands, and decorating stages or other things. For its excessive demand, people are cultivating the flower in a large scale. Plant propagates easily from the root.

Photos of this article were taken from Mohera(মহেরা, টাঙ্গাইল), during my tour at January 2012.

Dhaka: Poush Sonkranti(পৌষ সংক্রান্তি) Festival-2012

2012-01-16T05:22:00.000-08:00

Saturday, 14 January 2012

Once again its time for Poush Sankranti(পৌষ সংক্রান্তি) utsav. I have went to the Old Dhaka to feel the atmosphere of the day. People from old Dhaka use to fly kites at sky throughout the whole day. At the end of the day they use to do fireworks. They call this festival Sakrain(সাকরাইন). If you want to know more about Poush Sankranti(পৌষ সংক্রান্তি), just click here.

It is important to chose a building to observe the activities around. I have chosen a building at 108 R. M. Das road from Loharpool of sutrapur(১০৮, আর.এম. দাস রোড, লোহারপুল, সুত্রাপুর, ঢাকা). GPS coordinate of the building is(23°42'8.65"N, 90°25'9.97"E).

I went there at 2011 and if you want to read that article, just check the link http://icwow.blogspot.com/2011/01/poush-sankranti-festival-2011.html

Blue Morning Glory - Ipomoea purpurea

2012-01-15T08:40:00.000-08:00

কলমি ফুলের মতন দেখতে, নীল আর বেগুনি রঙের হয় ফুলটা... এর আগে আমি নেটে দেখেছি ফুলের ছবি, কিন্তু এত তাড়াতাড়ি যে ফুলটার দেখা পেয়ে যাব ভাবতেই পারি নাই... আমি খুব খুশি বিদেশী এই ফুলকে স্বচক্ষে দেখতে পেরে...

Common name of the flower is Common Morning Glory, Garden Morning Glory, Tall Morning glory, etc. Scientific/Botanical name is Ipomoea purpurea. Belongs to the plant family Convolvulaceae(Morning-glory family). Native to Mexico and Central America.

Flowers are exactly similar to other morningglory flowers(shape of a funnel/trumpet) and having same characteristics like blooming at morning and demise at the end of the day. This flower appears in bright blue, violet, purple, etc colors. For it's bright color, insects are easily attracted to the flower. A star is formed inside the flower which is easily noticeable.

This annual trailing and climbing vine plant has heart shaped leafs and the stems are having brown hairs. It prefers the moist soil for growing. Though people nourish this plant at gardens, but its a weed unfortunately.

Photos of this article were taken from Mohera, Tangail(মহেরা, টাঙ্গাইল), during my single day trip at January 2012. Here is another Morning Glory(White) that I have posted few months back.

Tangail: Atiya Jame Moshjid(আটিয়া জমে মসজিদ)

2012-01-14T07:57:00.000-08:00

Friday, 13 January 2012

আমাদের বাংলাদেশের পুরানো দশ টাকার নোটের মধ্যে আটিয়া মসজিদের ছবি ছিল. যদিও ভুলক্রমে মসজিদটার নিচে লেখা ছিল আতিয়া জমে মসজিদ. ছোট বেলা থেকেই শখ ছিল একদিন এই মসজিদ দেখতে যাব. আজকে সেই শখ পূরণ হলো. আমার টাঙ্গাইল ভ্রমন করার সময় আমি আজকে এই মসজিদ দেখে এলাম. অনেক সুন্দর ৪০০ বছরের পুরান এই মসজিদ আমাদের বাংলাদেশের একটা ঐতিহাসিক স্থাপনা. আমাদের নিজেদের জন্য না হলেও, ছোট ছোট ছেলেমেয়েদের জন্য আমরা যেন কিছু সময় বের করে তাদেরকে এইরকম জায়গায় নিয়ে যাই ছুটির দিনগুলাতে. অনেক কিছুই শিক্ষার আছে এইসব থেকে.

Atia(আটিয়া), a historical four century years of old mosque is located at the Delduar Thana(দেলদুয়ার থানা) of Tangail district(টাঙ্গাইল জেলা) of Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ). The village name is Atia(আটিয়া) and the mosque is known as Atia Jame Moshjid(আটিয়া জমে মসজিদ), Atia Mosque, etc.

Old ten taka note that has the image of this mosque.

This mosque is around 6 kilometers from the Tangail(টাঙ্গাইল) town. There is a small river flowing near the mosque, name is Louhojong Nodi(লৌহজং নদী). The mosque is a small one and measure around 18m by 12m.

The mosque has four spherical domes at the top. One is the larger, which is located at the west part of the mosque. Other three are smaller sized and located at the east side of the mosque. All three domes are in a single row. Its like the bigger one is the Imam(ইমাম), and other three are Musalli(মুসল্লী).

All the domes are ornate at the bottom part and having a small minaret like object at top. The mosque has four pillars at the four corners. Each of the pillars are stylish and decorated nicely.

The mosque has lovely terracotta at the outer side of east and the north side wall. Those are very simple, just few small flowers inside the circles. The mosque has three entrance at the east side, and two entrance at the north and south side each.

Terracotta on the mosque wall.

This mosque is built during 1610 by Muslim Jomidar(মুসলিম জমিদার) Sayeed Khan Panni(সায়ীদ খান পান্নি), son of Baizid Khan Panni(বায়েজিদ খান পান্নি). He also dug a large water tank at the western side of the mosque. People says that the mosque was built for the honor of a saint Shah Baba Kashmiri(শাহ বাবা কাশ্মিরী).

The mosque was damaged during the massive earthquake of 1800. A reconstruction of the mosque was made 1837. Also, during 1909 another reconstruction made by two Jomidar from Korotia(করটিয়া), and Delduar(দেলদুয়ার) of Tangail jointly. Wazed Ali Khan Panni(ওয়াজেদ আলী খান পান্নি) was from Korotia(করটিয়া), and Abu Ahmed Guznavi Khan(আবু আহমেদ গজনবী খান) from Delduar(দেলদুয়ার).

We have placed this mosque at the currency of ten Taka note. That old note has the image of this mosque at the right side. Rarely those notes are available at banks or on the hand of people now a days.

How to go:

1) First come to Tangail(টাঙ্গাইল) town. A bus from Mohakhali(মহাখালী) terminal of Dhaka will take you here. Best available bus services are Dhaleswari(ধলেশ্বরী) Service, Jhotika(ঝটিকা) Service, etc. These are direct bus for Tangail(টাঙ্গাইল). Ask the bus to drop you at Old bus stand. Bus fare is 120 taka per person. GPS coordinate of Old bus stand is (24°15'4.88"N, 89°55'11.44"E). Time require 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours based on traffic jam.

2) Now you have to take CNG auto. It is at Tangail(টাঙ্গাইল) Baby Stand, 1 minute walking from the old bus stand.

3) Take the public CNG auto and ask you to drop you at Pathrail Bot Tola(পাথরাইল বট তলা). Fare is 15 taka. GPS of the Pathrail bot tola(পাথরাইল বট তলা) is (24°11'55.09"N, 89°56'19.15"E). It will require 15-20 minutes to reach the place.

4) From the bot tola(বট তলা), take another CNG auto and ask it to drop you at Atia Mosque(আটিয়া মসজিদ). Fare is 10 taka. GPS of the mosque is (24°11'2.64"N, 89°54'40.80"E). Time requires 10 minute.

Alternately, you can use your own vehicle. Or reserve an CNG auto instead of sharing with public.

Where to Stay:

Tangail(টাঙ্গাইল) has lot of normal quality hotels around the town. You can take any of those. Also the Alenga resort(এলেঙ্গা রিসোর্ট) is around 30 minutes away from the town. And Jamuna resort(যমুনা রিসোর্ট) is one hour away from the town. Since it is possible to travel Atia Mosque within a single day, I'll suggest you to come back your home on the same day without staying. But choice is yours.

Where to Eat:

Town has plenty of good quality hotels and restaurants around, so you don't need to worry about that. Also you can taste the best Chomchom(aka Pora Barir Chomchom, পোড়া বাড়ীর চমচম) of Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ) from Tangail(টাঙ্গাইল). During returning home, don't forget to buy few for your family. All the best sweet shops are at Pachani Bazar(পাচ আনি বাজার) of the town. GPS coordinate of that area is (24°14'56.17"N, 89°54'51.94"E).

Notes: Lot of local people pronounce this Atia(আটিয়া) as Aita(আইটা).

Amrul Ful(আমরুল ফুল) - Oxalis corniculata

2012-01-13T22:07:00.000-08:00

আমরুল ফুল আর গাছ দুইটাই আমার ছোট বেলার একটা খেলার ফুল. খেলার ফাকে এই গাছের টক পাতা টুপটাপ খেয়ে ফেলতাম. দুপুর বেলায় রোদ্রের সময় কড়ই গাছের নিচে বসে থাকার সময় আসে পাশের অযত্নে কিন্তু সুন্দরভাবে গজিয়ে উঠা আমরুলের দিকে তাকিয়ে থাকা এখনো চোখে ভাসে. একটা জিনিস নিশ্চিত ছিল, প্রচন্ড রোদ অথবা যত গরমই হউক না কেন, যেখানে আমরুল গাছ আছে, সেখানে কিছুটা হলেও ঠাডা পাওয়া যাবে. কেননা এই গাছ একটু ঠান্ডা জায়গাতেই জম্নায়. দেখতে সুন্দর ছোট ছোট হলুদ ফুল হয় এই গাছে. আবার এই গাছের পাতাও অনেক সুন্দর. গাছের পাতা দেখলে মনে হবে তিনটা হার্ট যেন একটা বিন্দুতে এক করে রাখা হয়েছে. হতে পারে এই গাছ আমাদের কাছে অবাঞ্চিত, কিন্তু বাংলাদেশের আনাচে কানাচে সবজাগায় হয় এমন একটা গাছ সম্পর্কে আমাদের সবারই জানা উচিত.

Three hearts are joined and formed a leaf.

Botanical name of today's weed plant is Oxalis corniculata from the plant family Oxalidaceae(Wood Sorrel Family). It has few common fancy name across the world such as Sleeping Beauty, Creeping Woodsorrel, Creeping Oxalis, etc. In our country Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ), we call this Amrool Ful(আমরুল ফুল), Amrool Shak(আমরুল শাক), etc. This is available throughout the Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ). Amrool(আমরুল) is an invasive weed and very hard to eradicate.

This looks like a green carpet from far.

Amrul(আমরুল) is a creepy weed that grows as low in cool condition, specially under the tree or other shadowed area where the soil and the ambient is having moisture. Also it grows at gardens, fields, yards, etc. It brings small yellow flower during blooming season(possibly in rainy). The whole plant is full of acid and its acerbic(like lemon).

Amrul(আমরুল) is growing at garden.

Amrul ful(আমরুল ফুল) is a tri-foliate herbaceous plant and grows 1-2 inches in height. Size of the leaf is around one inch wide, each leaf of this Oxalis plant are divided into three parts. Each of those parts look like a heart or clover. It seems like three hearts are joined together from a center. This delicate architecture made this plant itself a beautiful one without the flower. It used to be bright green, but some species are found having purple leafs.

This lusty green herb plant is full of vitamin C. People use to make juice using the leaf of this plant with hot water. When you'll try to do this, just make sure you are not overdosing. Another use of this plant is as an antidote. People used this to abolish the effect of poisoned seed of datura(ধুতুরা ফুল), arsenic and Mercury in past.

Photos of this article were taken from Mohera, Tangail(মহেড়া, টাঙ্গাইল). It was a my tour during January 2012. It was not the blooming season, so didn't find any beautiful yellow flower on those weeds.

ফুলের জন্য ভালবাসা, আমি বুনো ফুল...

Water Lilly (শাপলা ফুল) - Nymphaea nymphaea

2012-01-13T10:33:00.000-08:00

আমাদের বাংলাদেশের জাতীয় ফুলের নাম শাপলা... আমার ব্লগে তাই আমাদের জাতীয় ফুলকে নিয়ে না লেখা থাকলে কেমন দেখায়...? এই বর্ষায় আমি কোথাও বের হতে পারি নাই, তাই ভালো শাপলার ফটো এখনো যোগাড় করতে পারি নাই... আপাতত কাজ চালানোর মতন একটা হালকা গোলাপী রঙের শাপলা ফুলের ছবি দিয়ে লেখা পোস্ট করে দিলাম... পরবর্তিতে আস্তে ধীরে অন্য রঙের শাপলা ফুলের ছবি দিয়ে দিবো... আপাতত এইটুক জেনে রাখি, আমাদের জাতীয় ফুল শাপলার রং হলো সাদা...

Light pink colored Water Lilly(হালকা গোলাপী রঙের শাপলা ফুল)
at Mohera, Tangail(মহেড়া, টাঙ্গাইল)

Water Lilly is the national flower of Bangladesh, specially the white one. In our country we call this as Shapla Ful(শাপলা ফুল). Botanical name of this flower is Nymphaea nymphaea. This belongs to the plant family Nymphaeaceae. This grows at small pond to large one, bank of the river, beel(বিল), haor(হাওর), etc. It cannot grow if the depth of the water is too deep.

Blue Waterlily(নীল শাপলা ফুল)
at Pukurpara(পুকুর পারা) Lake, Bandarban

Waterlily is an aquatic plant that brings lovely flower in various colors such as pink, blue, white, purple, etc. Leafs of this plant are almost round shaped and float over the water like a plate. The stems of this plant are vascular and can able to float over the water. No matter the height of the water, the leafs of lily flower will try to be over the water.

Flower is having plenty of firm petals with yellow centered. Those yellow things are the stamens of the flower. Flower has a light redolence. After germination, the flower converts into a fruit which is a tasty one when ripen. Also from that fruit, people use to make a food that is similar to puffed rice.

A nice dish can be made from the stems of waterlily flower. Specially the dry fish with the stems. I love it. During the rainy season in Bangladesh, lot of low land used to be under the water and this lovely flower used to grow that time all around. Mile after mile you'll find white waterlilies on that water.

Shapla ful(শাপলা ফুল) used to propagate from the root. When the water dries from the land, the root used to be dormant until next season. With a touch from the water during rainy season, this finds a life.

I have another article about Shapla Ful, that one is about blue waterlily.

Indian Catmint(গোপালী ফুল) - Anisomeles malabarica

2012-01-12T10:17:00.000-08:00

বিরিশিরির বিজয়পুরে রাস্তার পাশে এই ফুলের গাছ প্রথম দেখলাম. দেখেই বুঝেছিলাম এইটা মিন্ট ফ্যামিলির কোনো একটা ফুল হবে. কিন্তু এই ফুলকে সঠিকভাবে সনাক্ত করতে অনেক বেগ পেতে হলো. যতটা সহজ ভেবেছিলাম ততটা সহজ হয়নি. যাই হোক, বাংলায় এই ফুলকে ডাকা হয় গবুরা ফুল, গোপালী ফুল, ইত্যাদি নামে. সংস্কৃতিতে এই ফুলের সুন্দর একটা নাম আছে, তা হলো মহাদ্রোনাহ. এর আগে শ্বেতাদ্রণ আর রক্তদ্রনের নাম শুনেছি. এখন তাহলে পাওয়া গেল মহাদ্রোন ফুল. পাপড়িগুলা প্রায় শ্বেতাদ্রনের মতনই দেখতে.

The name of today's roadside flower is Gopali Ful(গোপালী ফুল). Common name is Indian catmint, Malabar catmint, etc. Botanical name of this flower is Anisomeles malabarica. It belongs to the plant family Lamiaceae(Mint family). In Sanskrit, this flower is known as Mahadronah(মহাদ্রোন). In Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ), we also call this gobura ful(গোবুরা ফুল).

The stem and the leaf of the plant are woolly. Squeezing the leaf will produce pungent smell. This shrubby herb plant can grow up to a meter to two based on condition. Shape of the leaf is ovate. The whole plant has lot of medical uses. People using this for relieving flatulence, soothing inflammation, fever, etc.

Flowers are violet in color. Petals are divided into two part, upper lip and lower lip. Lower petal is having hairy at the middle. Flowers are arranged as a cluster at the pinnacle of the branched stem generated from the joint of leaf.

Photos of this article were taken from Birishiri(বিরিশিরি), it was a tour during December 2011.

ফুলের জন্য ভালবাসা, আমি বুনো ফুল...

Kosmos Ful(কসমস ফুল) - Cosmos bipinnatus

2012-01-11T06:23:00.001-08:00

Common name of the flower is cosmos. Usually people says this as Garden Cosmos, Mexican Aster etc. Botanical name of the flower is Cosmos bipinnatus and it is from the plant family Asteraceae(Sunflower family). In Bangladesh, we call this Kosmos Ful(কসমস ফুল).

Cosmos plants are annual herbs and leafs are having slim slender feather like foliage. Flowers are bright and looks like a disks, blooms over the slender stems from the plant. Grows in poor soil condition and requires almost no care but provide profound number of flowers at a time.

This flower has 8 petals, color of the flower can be in white, purple, pink, etc having yellow at the middle. Diameter of the flower is 2-3 inches. Flower doesn't have any smell. This can be invasive as it produces lot of seeds from a single flower. So should take care before mixing with the wild.

Joba Ful(জবা ফুল)- Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

2012-01-09T08:44:00.000-08:00

জবা ফুলকে চাইনীজ গোলাপ বলা হয়. আমাদের দেশের খুব কমন একটা ফুল. জবা প্রধানত লাল রঙের হলেও, পরবর্তিতে এইটার অনেক সংকর বের করা হয়েছে, যার জন্য এখন সাদা, হলুদ, গোলাপী, কমলা থেকে শুরু করে মিশ্রিত রঙের জবা ফুলও দেখা যায়. জবা ছাড়াও এই ফুলকে আর যা যা নামে ডাকা হয় তা হলো ঝুমকা জবা, জবা কুসুম. সারাবছর ফুল হয় বলে আর সাথে অনেক দিন বেচে থাকার কারণে আমাদের দেশের গ্রামে বাড়ির উঠানে প্রায়ই দেখা যায় এই গাছ. শহরেও অনেকে বাড়ির সীমানার মধ্যে এই গাছ লাগায়. আমার নানা বাড়ীতে টিনের ঘরের পেছনে এখনো একটা রক্ত জবার গাছ আছে. আমি জন্মের পরে থেকেই দেখে আসছি গাছটা. আজকে কিছু জবা ফুল দিলে শুরু করলাম, আস্তে আস্তে প্রায় সব রঙের জবা ফুলের ছবি দিয়ে দিব এখানে.

Pink Chinese Rose(গোলাপী ঝুমকা জবা)

Common name of this flower is Chinese Rose. Botanical name is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis from the plant family Malvaceae. In our country Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ), we call this as Joba Ful(জবা ফুল), Jhumka Joba(ঝুমকা জবা), Joba Kushum(জবা কুসুম), etc.

Pink Chinese Rose(গোলাপী ঝুমকা জবা)

This is an evergreen perennial shrubby plant. Leafs are semi ovate shaped with toothed at the border. Flowers are having lot of colors starting from white, rose, yellow, red, orange, mixed, etc. This flower is being used as an example of perfect flower in the study of botany. By rubbing the petals on a white paper anyone can easily create litmus paper(which turns into red with acid, and blue with base).

Pink Chinese Rose(গোলাপী ঝুমকা জবা)

Most of this flower having five petals, bracts, calyx, etc. Stamens are yellow and placed around the top of stigma. This flower doesn't have any redolence. People just love this for its color. In Malaysia, this flower is considered as their national flower. I haven't seen any seed of this plant. Propagation is done using cutting.

Pink Chinese Rose(গোলাপী ঝুমকা জবা)

Yellow Chinese Rose(হলুদ জবা ফুল)

Peach colored Hibiscus(পীচ রঙের জবা ফুল)

Rose colored Hibiscus(হালকা গোলাপী রঙের জবা ফুল)

Slim red Hibiscuss(লাল জবা ফুল)

Silverbush(প্যাপিরোমিয়া) - Peperomia pellucida

2012-01-09T07:50:00.000-08:00

প্যাপিরোমিয়া, নামটা শুনতে বিদেশী বিদেশী লাগে. কিন্তু আমাদের দেশের অতিপরিচিত একটা গাছ. সাধারণত পরিত্যাক্ত জায়গায়, দালানকোঠার ফাক ফোকরে, বা একটু স্যাতস্যাতে জায়গায় এই গাছের বিস্তার দেখা যায়. মসৃন চকচকে নরম পাতার এই গাছটা পুরাপুরি স্বচ্ছ কান্ড বিশিষ্ট. স্কুলে পরার সময় আমরা জীববিজ্ঞানে এই গাছের সাহায্যে অভিস্রবণ পদ্ধতি হাতেকলমে দেখেছি. একটা পাত্রে রঙিন পানি ঢেলে তাতে এই গাছের শিকড় চুবিয়ে রাখলে আস্তে আস্তে এই গাছের ভেতরে রঙে ভরে যায়. স্বচ্ছ কান্ড হওয়াতে এই পরীক্ষা খুব সহজেই দেখা যেত. খুব সহজলভ্য এই গাছের বাংলা নাম এখন পর্যন্ত আমি জানি না.

This bushy herbaceous plant having lot of common names like silverbush, clearweed, pepper elder, shiny bush, etc across the world. It is from the plant family Family Piperaceae (pepper family). Botanical or scientific name of the weed plant is Peperomia pellucida(synonym Peperomia translucens). This is known as Peperomia(প্যাপিরোমিয়া) in Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ).

Peperomia(প্যাপিরোমিয়া) plant is small, grows up to 45 cm in height. Its an annual plant having heart shaped lovely foliage leafs. Used to bring tiny flowers which are always unnoticed by us most of the time. Stems of this plant are transparent with succulent characteristics. At schools we used to show osmosis as practical using this translucent plant.

This plant used to grow at the wasted areas, at old buildings, moist areas, etc. It grows as a bush and looks lovely for its leaf foliage. Some people use this plant at salads. This plant has lot of uses at herbal medicine.

Photos of this article were taken from Narayanganj(নারায়ানগঞ্জ). It was a my summer tour during May 2010.

Places of Interest, district Netrakona(দর্শনীয় স্থান, নেত্রকোনা)

2012-01-08T05:57:00.000-08:00

Netrakona(নেত্রকোনা) district is located at the northern border of the country, beneath the Indian hills. Two ethnic groups Hajong(হাজং) and Garo(গারো) used to live there along with Bangali(বাঙালি) people. The beautiful Shomeswari(সোমেশ্বরী) and Kongsho(কংস) river from Netrakona(নেত্রকোনা) will please any traveler easily.

This district is one of the underdeveloped district from Bangladesh. Most of the communications are in poor condition. But still this district deserves a travel from a tourist for the great China Clay lake of Birishiri(বিরিশিরি).

Popular locations for visit:

If you are planning to visit the Netrakona(নেত্রকোনা) district, you can check the "places of interest", or "must see", or "tourist spot" items from the link http://icwow.blogspot.com/search/label/netrakona. Also if you visited any other places from Netrakona(নেত্রকোনা), that is not listed at my link, that case you can add that here as comment.

Where to Stay:

I didn't go to the main town of Netrakona(নেত্রকোনা). So I am unsure about the hotels there. I went to the Birishiri(বিরিশিরি) and stayed at YWCA. At Birishiri(বিরিশিরি), you'll find YMCA, another guest house for staying at night. Contact number of YWCA is 01712042916. Room fare is cheap, I have used a 9 bed dormitory and each of the bed cost 200 Taka.

YWCA building.

How to Go:

If you want to go to main town, then use the Bus Shahjalal Express from Mohakhali Bus Stand. This is the best bus service. If you want to go Birishiri(বিরিশিরি) use bus from same terminal. Quality of Birishiri(বিরিশিরি) bus is not good. Another option is using train from Dhaka to Mymensingh(ময়মনসিংহ) and then use bus.

Ground Orchid(বেগুনী অর্কিড) - Spathoglottis Plicata

2012-01-07T07:57:00.000-08:00

আমাদের বাংলাদেশে ফুলের টব অথবা বাগান ছাড়া অর্কিড ফুল দেখতে পাওয়া যায় কিনা আমি সঠিক জানিনা... আমি অর্কিডকে আমাদের দেশে দামী ফুল হিসাবেই জানি... তাই রাস্তার আশেপাশে অথবা ঝোপ ঝাড়ে সস্তায় এই ফুল পাওয়া যাবে, এইটা আশা করছি না... এখানে বেগুনী অর্কিডের কিছু ছবি দিয়ে দিলাম...

Orchids are considered as one of the costly and lucrative flower to the gardeners. It requires hard working and proper care to grow an orchid flower properly. Interestingly, our today's orchid flower is not that much expensive. Its available and easy to grow. It is Violet Ground Orchid flower. But it can be in any color from white, pink, purple, violet, orange, lavender, etc.

Scientific or botanical name of the flower is Spathoglottis plicata. This pertains to the plant family Orchidaceae. It has several common names like Violet Ground Orchid, Large Purple Orchid, Boat orchid, etc. This orchid is native to tropical Asia, western pacific, and few part of Africa. In Australia, this beautiful flowering plant is listed as 'Vulnerable'.

Flowers used to be at the erect stem from the flower as inflorescence, each of the flowers have five petals. With a moist soil and proper care, this orchid will give you flower for 3-4 months continually.

Photos of this article were taken from YWCA of Birishiri(বিরিশিরি). I have traveled there during the December of 2011.

Mustard Flower(সরিষা ফুল) - Brassica napus

2012-01-07T05:50:00.000-08:00

সরিষা ফুলের চেয়ে বেশি ফুল এক সাথে আমি অন্য কোনটা দেখেছি বলে মনে হয় না... মাঠের পর মাঠ হলুদ রঙের সরিষা ফুল দেখেছি আমি... কুয়াশা ঢাকা সকালে ঘুম থেকে উঠেই ঘরের পাশেই হলুদ কার্পেটের মতন এই দৃশ্য দেখে দিন ভালো না যেয়ে পরেই না... সৌন্দর্য বর্ধনের জন্য এই ফুলের চাষ করা হয় না... এইটা আমাদের ফসলি একটা উদ্ভিদ... শীতকালে চাষ করা হয়... খুব অল্প সময়ের মধ্যেই এর চাষ করে ফেলে আমাদের কৃষকরা... প্রধানত সরিষা তেলের জন্য এর চাষ করা হয়... তবে যেহেতু অনেক ফুল হয়, অনেকেই তাই পাশাপাশি মৌমাছির চাষ করে মধু সংগ্রহ করে থাকে...

English name of Shorisha gachh(সরিষা গাছ) is Mustard plant. This yellow flowered crop plant is belong to Brassicaceae family. Botanical name of this plant is Brassica napus, Brassica juncea. We call this plant Shorisha(সরিষা) and the flower is Shorisha Ful(সরিষা ফুল).

Very few of our farmers use to cultivate this plant as regular crop during winter. They use to harvest mustard oil from the seed of this plant. Plant grows around two feet in height. Brings millions of small yellow flowers at field at a time. All the yellow flowers all together look like a massive yellow carpet.

The plant can be used as a palatable vegetable. Mustard oil is collected from the small seeds of the plant after grinding those on machine. Agricultural experts suggest to cultivate mustard at least once in a three years to maintain the crop rotation, which helps the land to replete its fertility after cultivating same crops.

Photos of this article were taken from Nawabganj, Dhaka(নবাবগঞ্জ, ঢাকা). It was my tour during December 2011.

Buzzy Lizzy - Impatiens walleriana

2012-01-06T11:19:00.000-08:00

Name of the flower is Impatiens. This is actually the genus name of this ornamental flower. Common name across the world is Busy Lizzy, Balsam, etc. This showy flowering plant belongs to the plant family Balsaminaceae. Scientific/botanical name of the flower is Impatiens walleriana. Native to eastern Africa.

Buzzy Lizzy can grow up to a foot in height. Stems are light green. This plant basically considered as annual plant, but can be perennial. Dark green leafs are glossy and alternately arranged around the stem.

Flowers are very showy and over an inch sized. Hybrid makes this flower to appear in many colors including mixed colored petals. This flower has five petals

This plant requires rich moist soil for growing. Requires proper shading otherwise growth will be hampered. It brings flowers throughout the years more or less. Propagation can be done from the dispersal of the seeds.

Photos of this article were taken from YWCA of Birishiri(বিরিশিরি). It was my tour during December 2011.

Nawabganj: River ichhamoti(ইছামতি নদী)

2012-01-06T07:34:00.001-08:00

30 December 2011

View from Bandura bridge where it segregated.

ছোট বেলায় বইতে পড়েছিলাম ইছামতি নদীর কথা... ঢাকার অদূরে গেলাম ইছামতি নদী দেখতে... এই নদী আর বইয়ের নদী এক কিনা সেইটা একটু সংশয়পূর্ণ হয়ে গেল... কারণ, ইছামতি নামে একটা নদী আছে যেইটা বাংলাদেশ ভারতের সীমানার মাঝ বরাবর বয়ে চলেছে... সে যাই হউক... আজকে ঢাকার নবাবগঞ্জের ইছামতি নদীর কিছু ছবি দিয়ে দিলাম...

The river I am talking about is named Ichhamoti(ইছামতি নদী), located at the Nawabganj(নবাবগঞ্জ) of Dhaka. I have went to Bandura(বন্দুরা) to explore the Jamidar bari(জমিদার বাড়ী) of Kolakola(কলাকোপা) and BoktNogor(বক্তনগর). Both the archaic mansions are situated beside the Ichhamoti river(ইছামতি নদী).

This is a small river and being near to Dhaka, the water of the river having a bit dart. Lot of brick factories established at the bank of the river for easier transportation and water supply. Every day lot of trawlers used to carry sand and other goods over this river.

Mela at the river bank.

Ichhamoti river is created from the river Dhaleswari(ধলেশ্বরী). Near the Bandura bazar(বন্দুরা বাজার), the river separated into two branches. Later each of those joined with the massive river Padma(পদ্মা). Also, at several places, few canals were generated from the river, and all of those later joined with the river Padma(পদ্মা).

I'd love to have a boat journey during rainy season over this river. This can be started from the Dhalaswari(ধলেশ্বরী) and ends at Padma(পদ্মা).

Bandura: List of old mansions from Kolakopa

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Friday, 30 December 2011

Judge Bari(জজ বাড়ি),
GPS coordinate (23°39'29.66"N, 90° 8'32.97"E)

ঢাকার অদূরে নবাবগঞ্জের বান্দুরায় গেলাম পুরাতন বাড়ী দেখার জন্য... অনেকেই বলে কলাকোপার জমিদার বাড়ী... বাড়িগুলো একেকটা একেক জায়গায় ছড়িয়ে ছিটিয়ে আছে... এইবার যেয়ে চেষ্টা করলাম লিস্ট ধরে ধরে সবগুলা খুঁজে খুঁজে দেখার... আনসারদের প্রোগ্রাম চলায় আমরা আর ওদের ক্যাম্পের ভেতরের বাড়ীটা দেখতে যাই নাই... তা ছাড়া সবই দেখে এসেছি... মোক্তার বাড়ীর ছবি ভালো আসে নাই দেখে এই পোস্টের সাথে দেয়া হয় নাই... আশা করি ইছামতি নদীর পরের এই পুরাতন ভবন গুলার ছবি সবার ভালই লাগবে...

Judge Bari(জজ বাড়ি),
GPS coordinate (23°39'29.66"N, 90° 8'32.97"E)

This article contains the list of old edifices from Kolakopa(কলাকোপা) of Bandura(বান্দুরা). This is located at the Nawabgonj(নবাবগঞ্জ) of Dhaka(ঢাকা). All the listed edifices are added with corresponding GPS coordinate. If you travel there, it will help you.

Judge Bari(জজ বাড়ি),
GPS coordinate (23°39'29.66"N, 90° 8'32.97"E)

First I have started with Judge Bari(জজ বাড়ী). Possibly currently owned by a rich government official. This is a private property and public entry is not entertained. I found the door was open, and trespassed. This building is looking gorgeous and having baroque design.

Judge Bari(জজ বাড়ি),
GPS coordinate (23°39'29.66"N, 90° 8'32.97"E)

Another ancient house is Advocate house(উকিল বাড়ী). This one is not having that much architectural design, but open for public. People can do picnic in front of the building.

Kokil Payeri Bari(কোকিল পেয়ারী বাড়ী),
GPS coordinate (23°39'30.03"N, 90° 8'35.70"E)

Next to the Advocate house is Kokil Payeri House(কোকিল পেয়ারী বাড়ী). This one is an old house and using as the quarter of the school teachers.

Kokil Payeri Bari(কোকিল পেয়ারী বাড়ী),
GPS coordinate (23°39'30.03"N, 90° 8'35.70"E)

There was a program going on inside the Ansar camp(আনসার ক্যাম্প). So I didn't enter inside the camp. Walked beside the Ichhamoti river(ইছামতি নদী) and examined other old edifices outside the main cam premise.

Kokil Payeri Bari(কোকিল পেয়ারী বাড়ী),
GPS coordinate (23°39'30.03"N, 90° 8'35.70"E)

Finally the andhar kotha(আন্ধার কোঠা). The building premise of this one is bigger than last edifices. Initially I thought this one is an abandoned one, but later found people are still living at the second floor. Inside the building is a bit darker. People says this as Nobo Kutir(নব কুটির). Another name is Radha Nath Shaha House(রাধা নাথ সাহা বাড়ী).

Nobo Kutir/Andhar Kutha(নব কুটির/আন্ধার কোঠা),
GPS coordinate (23°39'48.07"N, 90° 8'49.75"E)

Finally, the boiraggo mondir(বৈরাগ্য মন্দির ). This one is in front of the Kokil Payeri House(কোকিল পেয়ারী বাড়ী). Inside this small mondir(মন্দির), a stone statue available having the head stolen.

Nobo Kutir/Andhar Kutha(নব কুটির/আন্ধার কোঠা),
GPS coordinate (23°39'48.07"N, 90° 8'49.75"E)

Building occupied by Ansaar
GPS coordinate (23°39'41.87"N, 90° 8'40.40"E)

Building occupied by ansaar

Ukil Bari(উকিল বাড়ী),
GPS coordinate (23°39'30.29"N, 90° 8'33.74"E)

How to Go:

1. Take the bus of Bandura(বান্দুরা) from Fulbari, Gulistan(ফুলবাড়ি, গুলিস্তান). N Mallik(এন মল্লিক), Druto(দ্রুত), etc are the available services. Bus fare is 70 Taka per person.

2. After around 2 hours you'll be at Kolakola Answer camp. GPS coordinate of Answer camp stoppage is (23°39'30.03"N, 90° 8'35.70"E). Ask the bus to drop you there.

3. From there keep exploring the edifices using the provided GPS location.

Boiraggo Mondir(বৈরাগ্য মন্দির),
GPS coordinate (23°39'28.06"N, 90° 8'36.36"E)

Where to Stay:

There is no suitable place to pass your night. You have to return back to Dhaka after visiting the Old edifices.

Nawabganj: Boktnogor Jomidar Bari & Mosque(বক্তনগর জমিদার বাড়ী ও মসজিদ)

2012-01-04T10:47:00.000-08:00

Friday, 30 December 2011

Boktnogor/Boktonogor(বকতনগর/বক্তনগর) is a place located near the Shikari Para(শিকারী পারা) after Bandura bazaar(বান্দুরা বাজার). Beside the bank of the Ichhamoti river(ইছামতি নদী), you'll find an old house that is currently abandoned. I don't know much about the house(no inscription found).

From the architecture of the old house, I only can guess that it was a house of a wealthy man who could have been a Jomidar(জমিদার) or a rich merchant. This well built edifice has lot of rooms inside. Front side of the house is still firm, but damaged at the back sides.

Still now a days the house has a lot of open spaces around including ponds. At the south-west corner of the mansion, another edifice is available. This one is an old mosque. Again it is unsure about the builder of the mosque.

If the owner of the mosque and the house is the same person, then I must say the owner was a Muslim. The village name is Boktnogor(বক্তনগর) which should came from Bokht Nogor(বখত নগর). Possibly someone lived there named Bokht(বখত) and sounds a Muslim name. Anyway all are predictions.

The mosque is a small one having three domes at the top. Middle one is a bit larger compare to other twos. Just above the main gate, and inscription is found written in Arabic. I couldn't translate that one. The mosque has a pond at the southern side and a graveyard at the eastern side.

I have visited the place hastily, otherwise I could have talked with local people to cull some information about the buildings. I have uploaded few photos with this article. If you want to visit the place, just look at the bottom of the article, you'll find the directions.

How to Go:

1. Take the bus of Bandura(বান্দুরা) from Fulbari, Gulistan(ফুলবাড়ি, গুলিস্তান). N Mallik(এন মল্লিক), Druto(দ্রুত), etc are the available services. Bus fare is 70 Taka per person.

2. After around 2 hours you'll be at Bandura(বান্দুরা) Bazaar. GPS coordinate of Bandura(বান্দুরা) bazaar is (23°39'28.82"N, 90°6'31.76"E).

3. From Bandura bazar(বান্দুরা বাজার) you have to go to Baruakhali(বারুয়াখালী). Using a bus it will take 15-20 minutes. Using a Tomtom it will take 30+ minutes. Fare is 20 Taka.

4. Cross the river Ichhamoti(ইছামতি নদী) at Baruakhali(বারুয়াখালী বাজার) and you'll find the Jomidar Bari(জমিদার বাড়ী) and the old mosque. GPS coordinate of the mosque and old mansion is (23°40'57.90"N, 90°4'7.85"E).

Where to Stay:

There is no suitable place to pass your night. You have to return back to Dhaka after visiting the Old edifices.

Cactus Plant(ক্যাকটাস গাছ) - Cactaceae

2012-01-03T09:37:00.000-08:00

ছোট বেলায় বইতে পড়েছিলাম ফনিমনসা, মরুভূমির উদ্ভিদ... ওই একটা ক্যাকটাস গাছই আমি চিনতাম... যখন চোখ ফোটা শুরু করলো, তখন আস্তে আস্তে জানলাম আরো অনেক রকমের ক্যাকটাস গাছ হয়... সংখ্যাটা হাজারেরও অনেক উপরে... আমাদের দেশের নার্সারীতেও এখন ক্যাকটাস এর চারা পাওয়া যায়... মানুষ শখ করে এনে টবে লাগায়... একবার একটা নিয়ে এসে লাগাতে পারলেই হলো, আর মরে না সহজে... এইবার বিরিশিরি ভ্রমন করার সময় লম্বাটে মতন এই ক্যাকটাসের দেখা পেয়ে গেলাম...

Desert is a very cruel place. Nothing can survive there except few plants. Basically desert has two type of plants. One reserves the water inside the body to sustain in dry condition. Other one used to grow during rainy season, generate flowers and seeds. When dry season comes, it used to die, but at next rainy season the seeds used to grow new plant. This is how the plants from desert used to survive years after years on adverse condition.

Cactus is a plant from the family Cactaceae. It used to follow the first method to survive at desert. It reserves plenty of water inside the plant. Interestingly, the cactus used to have thousands of thorns and spikes around the plant so that no animal or other can eat this. This interesting phenomena of survival just bemused me.

Photos of this article were taken from YWCA of Birishiri(বিরিশিরি). It was my tour during December 2011.

Berela Ful(বেরেলা ফুল) - Sida rhombifolia

2012-01-03T08:53:00.000-08:00

আবারও একটা ছোট ফুলের গল্প... রাস্তার পাশের ঝোপ ঝড়ের ফুল... হলুদ রঙের এই ফুল চোখে পরার মতন না... ভালো করে খেয়াল করলেই শুধু নজর কাড়ে... মানুষ থেকে শুরু করে গরু বাছুর সবাই পাড়িয়ে মাড়িয়ে চলে যায়... কিন্তু এই গাছের ফুল ফোটা আর বন্ধ থাকে না... বাংলায় এই ফুল কে বলে বেরেলা ফুল...

Berela, a semi woody weed that used to grow at the roadside, wasteland, and the bushes around. English name of the weed is Arrowleaf Sida, Paddy’s lucerne, etc. This weed flower belongs to the plant family Malvaceae(Mallow family). Botanical name of the flower is Sida rhombifolia. In Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ), we use to call this weed as Berela(বেরেলা ফুল).

Flower of this sprawling weed is creamy yellow in color. It has five petals. A bunch of stamens is located at the center of the flower having deeper color than the flower petal. Leafs of this annual plant are small and having toothed at the border. Flower arises from the area between leaf and steam.

I Don't know much about any medicinal use of this weed. Plant used to propagate using seeds and roots.

Photos of this article were taken from Kolakopa(কলাকোপা) of Dhaka(ঢাকা). It was my tour during December 2011.

ফুলের জন্য ভালবাসা, আমি বুনো ফুল...

Sylhet: A day at Bholagonj(ভোলাগঞ্জে এক দিন)

2012-01-03T05:57:00.000-08:00

Friday, 23 December 2011

An array of idle boat at the river Dholai

This is our first day at Sylhet(সিলেট) of this tour. I have decided to visit the Bholaganj(ভোলাগঞ্জ) of Sylhet(সিলেট). The place is just beneath the Cherapunjee(চেরাপুন্জী) hills. River Dholai(ধলাই নদী) just entered at Bangladesh through Bholaganj(ভোলাগঞ্জ). People used to harvest stone from there. The river, mountains of India, and the activities of people are very interesting there. So our plan was to observe such things more closely.

A worker carrying stones

This is winter now but Bholagonj(ভোলাগঞ্জ) is most beautiful during rainy season. As I couldn't resist myself to visit Bholagonj(ভোলাগঞ্জ), I have made a plan for that in this season. We have started a bit late at morning and reached at Bholagonj(ভোলাগঞ্জ) after 1:30 of the day.

Carrying stones on boat.

After arriving at Bholagonj(ভোলাগঞ্জ), you'll be invited by the beautiful river Dholai(ধলাই নদী). Like other rivers of our country, this one is a shallow one too. Anyone can cross the river easily without wetting their cloths.

Mother's care

It was at the middle of the day, was very bright and sunny. People who are living at the bank of the river just came here for their regular bath. Different people and different activities can be seen on that time.

Also the workers around the river were busy with collecting the stones from the river with buckets, carrying the stones with the long boats. They used to run the boat by pushing standing from river or using a bamboo to get a push.

Another group of people were loading the stones from the bank of the river to the truck. Plenty of trucks were whistling around and required extra care to avoid accident. Hundreds of thousands workers were working on there.

A male worker

It was hard to find any empty space around the bank of the river. Most of the spaces are occupied by the stone quarrying companies. Miles after mile just drilled to collect stone from the earth. According to a report at 1964, Bholagonj(ভোলাগঞ্জ) has stones under the earth for another 50 years. So its only 2 years left before the place goes to null.

A child labour

After strolling at the bank of the river and the quarries we have decided to go further. But where? we had no idea. There is a cable available for carrying stones. We have decided to visit the starting point of the cable car. We were near to the sunset, but couldn't resist to go there.

A female worker

You have to pass the Ansar Camp(আনসার ক্যাম্প) to reach at the starting point of the cable car. At first glance, it appeared that the huge machine is not functioning now a days. But local people assured that it still works now a days and used to transport stones to Chhatak(ছাতক) when requires.

We have enjoyed the sunset from that place and after that started returning to the 10 number point of Bholagonj(ভোলাগঞ্জ). From there public transports are available.

Quarry of stone.

Machine that transport stones from here to Chhatok

How to Go:

1. First come to the Airport Road Bus Stand. Its near to the Ambor Khana(আম্বর খানা). GPS coordinate of the bus stand is (24°54'37.02"N, 91°52'15.05"E).

2. From there ride on the bus of Companygonj(কোম্পানীগঞ্জ). Ask the bus to drop you at Tuker Bazar(টুকের বাজার). It will cost you 50 Taka per person. GPS coordinate of Tuker bazar(টুকের বাজার) is (25° 6'30.29"N, 91°45'28.68"E).

3. From Tuker bazar(টুকের বাজার), you have to use the Tempo service until Dosh number point(দশ নাম্বার পয়েন্ট). It will cost you 20 Taka per person. GPS coordinate of dosh number point is (25° 9'23.67"N, 91°44'54.32"E). This place is just at the Bangladesh-Indian border. You'll find a BDR outpost there.

4. Location of the cable car machine is at (25° 9'56.58"N, 91°45'17.15"E).

5. After sunset, the bus from Tuker Bazar(টুকের বাজার) doesn't come to Sylhet(সিলেট) town. It will drop you at Shalutikor(শালুটিকর বাজার). Bus fare is 25 Taka per person. GPS coordinate of Shalutikor bazaar(শালুটিকর বাজার) is (24°59'31.28"N, 91°50'55.46"E).

6. From shalutikor(শালুটিকর বাজার), you can use CNG auto to come at Sylhet(সিলেট) town. It will cost 25 taka per person. One auto can take 5 passengers.

Other option is using the private vehicles. If you have female on your team, then using public service won't be a good idea.

Wheel

Where to Stay:

It is recommended to stay at Sylhet(সিলেট) town. You can visit and return back to the town within the same day. There may have few guest houses of government officials. If you have connections, you can use that for staying at night.

Where to Eat:

I have found few fancy hotels and restaurants at Bholagonj(ভোলাগঞ্জ) bazaar. You can use any of those for lunch. I didn't have lunch that day. I don't prefer to spend time behind lunch during day time on a tour. Time is short.

Kolakopa: Shadhur Mela(পৌষের সাধুর মেলা)

2012-01-02T10:35:00.000-08:00

Friday, 30 December 2011

একটা প্রবাদ আছে, রথ দেখা আর কলা বেচা... আমার কলাকোপার সফরটাও অনেকটাই ওই প্রবাদের মতন... আমি গেলাম পুরান জমিদার বাড়িগুলা দেখার জন্য... আর যেয়ে দেখি সাধুর মেলা হচ্ছে কাছেই ইছামতি নদীর পারে... তার উপরে ঐদিনই আবার মেলার শেষ দিন... অনেক দিন মেলা দেখা হয়না... তাই নিজেকে ভাগ্যবান মনে না করার কোনো কারনই নাই... সাধুর মেলা বসেছিল পৌষের পরে পরেই... আর ৩০ ডিসেম্বর ছিল শেষ দিন... মেলায় ঘুরলাম ফিরলাম আর কিছু ছবি উঠালাম... শেষ দিন হওয়ায়, আর সাথে দুপুর বেলা হওয়াতে মেলায় লোকজন একটু কম ছিল...

I have went to the Bandura of Nawabgonj(বান্দুরা, নবাবগঞ্জ) to explore the old mansions of Kolakopa(কলাকোপা) last Friday. While walking at the bank of the river, I have found a large number of potteries were selling at the bank of the river Ichhamoti(ইছামতি). Initially thought it was a weekly bazaar. But later came to know that it was the Shadur mela of Poush(পৌষের সাধুর মেলা).

So started exploring the whole Mela premise. It was the last day of the Mela. Started after the first day of Poush(পৌষ). This Mela is scattered around several places for lack of space. Both sides of the road were occupied by several shopkeepers.

From the Mela I have tasted Chotpoti(চটপটি), Sweet, Doi(দই), Chanachur(চানাচুর), etc. I have bought a doll for only 10 Taka. It was unexpectedly cheap and I bemoaned for the artist for selling on such a cheap price.

Shadhu of the Mela(মেলার সাধুরা)

These are used to keep crops, ashes and
serve foods to domestic animals like cows.

Doi(দই), ten taka per glass.

Sweets, very expensive.

Chotpoti(চটপটি), it was tasty

GPS coordinate of the Mela area is (23°39'50.41"N, 90° 8'52.80"E). To reach there, just dropped near at Kolakopa(কলাকোপা) Ansar Camp on the way of Bandura/Dohar(বান্দুরা/দোহার). You can take such bus service from Fulbaria/Gulistan(ফুলবাড়িয়া/গুলিস্তান) of Dhaka. Bus fare is 70 Taka. Best services are N. Mallik(এন মল্লিক), Nagar Poribohon(নগর পরিবহন), etc.

Birisiri: Shomeswari River at winter(সোমেশ্বরী নদী)

2012-01-02T08:23:00.000-08:00

Saturday, 17 December 2011

Someswari(সোমেশ্বরী নদী), one of the most beautiful river from Bangladesh, located at the Netrakona(নেত্রকোনা ) District. During the Birisiri(বিরিশিরি) tour, any traveler must have to meet with this river. River is shallow during winter, but fierce during rainy season for its enormous flow.

The river is created from the streams from the Garo Hill(গারো পাহাড়) at the north of our country in India. Entered at Bangladesh through the Bijoypur(বিজয়পুর) of Netrakona. The bank of the river is a bit higher compare to others from Bangladesh.

Near to the Birishiri(বিরিশিরি) town, the river segregated into two. One is called old Shomeswari(সোমেশ্বরী নদী), which later shrunk in size. The other one(new one) later joined with river Kongsho(কংশ নদী) and keep that name Kongsho(কংশ নদী) until joined with river Shurma(সুরমা নদী).

I have visited the river during winter. Level of the water at Shomeswari(সোমেশ্বরী নদী) is very low and anyone can cross the river by walking. During rainy season, you can hire engine boat and have some boat journey. It is recommended to visit the river during rainy season to enjoy the maximum beauty.

Below are the photos of Shomeswari(সোমেশ্বরী নদী) river from several places around the bank.

Sylhet: An Afternoon at Jaflong(সন্ধায় জাফলং এ)

2012-01-02T06:10:00.000-08:00

Saturday, 24 December 2011

Once upon a time Jaflong(জাফলং) was the only destination when any traveler went to Sylhet(সিলেট). It was a very tranquil place having scenic beauties. Local people used to collect stones from the shallow river. The water was pristine and overall activities of the workers were enchanting. People went there for vacation to sip a cup of beauty.

But now all are gone due to excessive quarrying of stones using heavy machines and myriad number of truck's activities beside the river bank. The water of that shallow river is no more clean now. You'll find lot of dust flying at the ambient.

But still I have went to visit Jaflong(জাফলং) and it was my first time there. After enjoying the beauty of Lalakhal(লালাখাল), we have decided to visit the demising Jaflong(জাফলং). It was Saturday and lot of tourists have gathered there.

When we have reached there, it was almost near to the sunset. Most of the tourists were returning to the Shlhet(সিলেট) town after enjoying their day there. Its a huge picnic spot now a days. Lot of school, university picnic parties arrived there. A crowded place.

We have walked around the shallow river, enjoyed the process of stone quarry. You'll find a hanging bridge at the Indian side, but very near to the zero point. Most of the tourists go there to watch that hanging bridge.

At jaflong(জাফলং), other side of the river is Kashi village(খাসি পল্লী). If you have time, you can walk through the village to experience the lifestyle of those tribal people. I didn't have much to explore that village beneath the Indian boarder.

After enjoying the sunset at Jaflong(জাফলং), we have decided to return back to the town. Throughout the tour we have used the local bus service to minimize the costing. Otherwise I may run out of fund behind my traveling.

How to go:

1. Using any private or hired vehicle you can easily come to Jaflong(জাফলং). It will take around one and half hour ride.

2. You can use the local bus service from Sylhet(সিলেট) to Jaflong(জাফলং). Bus fare is 50 Taka per person. It will take around 1 hour and 45 minutes. Use the Birotihin(বিরতিহীন) Bus Service, this one is better having less stoppages.

3. GPS coordinate of the Jaflong(জাফলং) is (25°10'47.53"N, 92° 0'47.32"E)

Do not sleep on bus or on your car during the ride. The road goes through the Tamabil(তামা বিল) which is a very lovely place during rainy season and less during winter. So try to enjoy the beauties as much you can.

Where to stay:

1. It is better to stay at Sylhet(সিলেট) town and visit Jaflong(জাফলং). You can come back to the town within the day.

2. There are few hotels and guest houses available at Jaflong(জাফলং), but those are not that much high in quality.

Check the link about staying at Sylhet(সিলেট) town and available bus services from Dhaka.

http://icwow.blogspot.com/2010/08/places-of-interest-district-sylhet.html

Chinese Hat Flower(চৈনিক টুপি ফুল) - Holmskioldia sanguinea

2012-01-01T11:20:00.000-08:00

If you know more about the flower, please share with us...
ফুলটি সম্পর্কে যদি বেশী জেনে থাকেন, আমাদের সাথে শেয়ার করুন...

লালাখালের চা বাগানে হাটাহাটি করার সময় হঠাত করেই দেখি মাথার উপরে এক ঝাক লাল ফুল... পাশের উচু টিলা থেকে শক্ত লতা জাতীয় গাছ ঝুলে আছে নিচের দিকে... আর সেই গাছ জুড়েই টকটকে লাল রঙের ফুল... পাশ দিয়ে চা বাগানের এক কুলি যাবার সময় দেখিয়ে গেল কি করে এই ফুলের মধু খেতে হয়... ঢাকায় আসার পরে ইন্টারনেট থেকে ঘেঁটে বের করলাম এই ফুলের নাম চাইনিজ হ্যাট, বাংলা করলে নামটা অনেকটা চৈনিক টুপি বা চীনা টুপির মতন শোনায়...

Chines Hat is our today's flower. Botanical name of the flower is Holmskioldia sanguinea. Native to the Himalayan lowlands. This lovely flower pertains to the plant family Verbenaceae. Other common names of the flower are mandarin's hat, Parasol Flower, etc.

Chinese hat flower is a woody climbing vine like plant. Its a perennial plant and at tropical region it is using as an ornamental flowering plant. I have seen this flower at the jungle of a tea garden of Sylhet(সিলেট). The leaf of this evergreen plant is a bit larger and heart shaped. Propagation of this plant is being done from cutting.

Photo courtesy: Sazzad

Flower of this plant is very interesting. Colors of the flower I have seen are bright red, and orange. Chinese Hat Flower is slim and trumpet shaped. Under the flower it has a red/orange colored calyces/sepals which added bonus beauty to the flower. Bottom of the flower contains sweet nectar for insects.

Photos of this article taken from the jungle near Lalakhal(লালাখাল) Tea Garden of Sylhet(সিলেট). It was my tour during 2011.

ফুলের জন্য ভালবাসা, আমি বুনো ফুল...

Exploring Lala Khal During Winter(শীতকালে লালা খালে)

2012-01-01T08:13:00.000-08:00

Saturday, 24 December 2011

আগের বার বর্ষার সময় গেছিলাম লালা খাল... তখন পানির রং নীল ই ছিল... তার পরও, সবাই বলে শীতকালে পানির রং আরো বেশি নীল থাকে... তাই এবার শীত আসার সাথে সাথেই ঠিক করে ফেললাম আবার যাব... এমন সুন্দর জায়গায় যে কারোরই বার বার যেতে মন চাইবে... এত সুন্দর পানির রং... একদম স্বচ্ছ পানির ভেতর দিয়ে মাটির তলা দেখা যায়... দুই পাশের নদীর উচু পার, দুরে ভারতের কালচে নীল মেঘালয়ের পাহাড়, নীচে নীল পানি, আর উপরে বিশাল আকাশ... অসাধারণ এই ভ্রমনের কিছু ছবি এই লেখায় দিয়ে দিলাম... ছবির সংখ্যা একটু বেশিই হয়ে গেল... কিছুই করার ছিলনা, কোনটা রেখে কোনটা দিব এমন একটা অবস্থা হয়েছিল...

Last time I have visited the Lala Khal(লালা খাল) during rainy season. That time the river Shari(সারি নদী) was blue, but wanted to see how much blue the river can be during the winter. So I have went there during the December of 2011 again.

During winter the level of the river water decreases too much and become a shallow one. The water of the river Shari(সারী নদী) is already crystal clear, so anyone can see the bottom of the river from the boat easily.

We have started riding the local bus around 9:30 at morning, and reached at the Shari Ghat(শারী ghat) before 11:00 at morning. During rainy season I have found few boats which were transporting local people to the Lalakhal bazar(লালাখাল বাজার). But during winter no such services are available.

So only hope was to hire the boats which were anchored at the river bank only for the tourists. They were asking 1400 Taka for each boat for the whole day. After doing a long bargain, we have managed the manager of the Ghat to provide a boat for 1000 Taka.

It is always lovely to do a river cruising over the Shari river(শারি নদী). Every inches of your step by boat is taking you towards more blue, like ocean. After passing one and half hour through the heavenly blue water, our boat anchored at the Lala Khal(লালাখাল) tea factory area.

After jumping out from the boat, we have started exploring the bank of the river. Our target was to each at the zero point at where the river become a trans-boundary one. I was using my GPS and Map from the mobile phone for locating that portion of the river.

That place is called Baghchhora(বাঘ ছড়া). At the other side of the river we can easily see the Khashi village(খাসি পল্লী) and a BSF outpost. River water at that point is very clear and it is only around a feet in depth. Unfortunately there lot of false sands are hidden under the water. Anyone can easily trapped there. Last month two travelers just lost their life accidentally.

After exploring the river, we have returned the boat and started for the Shari ghat(শারি ঘাট). It was noon and we were hungry. I already knew that lalakhal bazar(লালাখাল বাজার) has few small hotels which used to sell foods. So I went there and bought Khichuri(খিচুরী). Each of the packet was for 15 Taka.

After the lunch, at the middle of our returning path, we have halted our boat once again. It was the time for shower. It was a day of winter, and the sun was behind the fog unfortunately. But nothing could resist me and I have cooled my body with blue water of river Shari(শারি নদী).

When we have reached at the Shari ghat, it was around 3:30 at the afternoon. After paying the boatman, we have concluded our Journey By Boat over river Shari for that day of winter.

Below are the photos of my tour. Hope this will help you understand the beauty and encourage you to make a tour there. See below about where to stay, and how to go to visit lalakhal(লালাখাল).

How to Go:

1. First you have to go at the Shari Ghat. There are several ways you can go there. By your own or hired car or using a CNG auto. Another options is using local bus that I prefer. From Kodomtoli(কদমতলী) bus stand take the bus of Jaflong Jointa(জাফলং - জৈন্তা) and ask them to drop you at Shari Ghat. It will cost you 30 Taka each. Time requires around an hour if you ride on the Birotihin(বিরতিহীন) Bus service(best local bus).

2. GPS coordinate of the Shari Ghat is (25° 5'18.65"N, 92° 7'6.51"E)

3. GPS coordinate of the Lalakhal bazar is (25° 6'17.63"N, 92°10'39.84"E)

4. GPS coordinate of the Lalakhal tea factory is (25° 6'32.75"N, 92°10'46.63"E)

Costing about hiring boat:

1. To reach at the Lala Khal bazar(লালাখাল বাজার), you can do a walking at the bank of the river, it will take around 3-4 hours to reach at Lala Khal bazar(লালাখাল বাজার).

2. You can hire a boat too. This will cost you around 1000-1500 taka based on your bargaining. I have paid 1000 Taka.

About your Lunch:

1. Lalakhal bazar(লালাখাল বাজার) has few hotel like shops used to sell khichuri(খিচুরী) in polythene bag. Each pack is 15-20 based on bargaining.

2. You can buy Puri(পুরী), Shingara(সিংগারা), Peyaju(পেয়াজু) etc from there too.

3. From the grocery shop, you can buy mineral water, soft drinks etc too. Price is as it is on the label of the bottle, so don't worry.

Where to Stay:

1. There is no option to stay at Lala Khal(লালাখাল). You have to stay at Jointa bazar(লালাখাল), or at Sylhet town. Check the link for staying about Sylhet. http://icwow.blogspot.com/2010/08/places-of-interest-district-sylhet.html

Extra:

There is a tea garden available at lalakhal(লালাখাল) tea factory. You can explore that.

If you are interested you can see how the Lalakhal was during Rainy Season. http://icwow.blogspot.com/2010/07/sylhet-river-cruise-and-lala-khal.html

Pot Marigold - Calendula officinalis

2011-12-31T11:10:00.001-08:00

আজকের ফুলের নাম ক্যালান্ডুলা ফুল... ইউরোপ মহাদেশের এই ফুল এখন আমাদের দেশের অনেক বাগানেই বা বাড়ির সামনের ফাকা জায়গায় শোভা পায়... বর্ষজীবী এই হলুদ, কমলা ক্যালান্ডুলা ফুলের কিছু ছবি দিয়ে আজকের লেখা লেখলাম...

Common name of the flower is Pot Marigold(aka Calandulas). Botanical name of the flower is Calendula officinalis. It pertains to the plant family Asteraceae(Aster family). Calandulas is native to Southern European zone.

This herbaceous annual plant can grow around a ft in height. Grows well in almost every conditions. Cannot sustain well in winter(frost). Under the proper sunlight it produces lovely bright yellow, orange flower.

Calandula has oblong leafs hairy at both sides. Flowers are like others from the Aster family. Petals of the flower is arranged in two layers. Each of the petals are having toothed at the pinnacle. Flowers are smelly.

This flower is using to add color to food, salads etc. Previously the color was using for dying. Some people used to cultivate this flower for herbal medicine purpose.

Photos of this article were taken from Kolakopa(কলাকোপা), during my tour at December 2011.

Tea Flower(চা ফুল) - Camellia sinensis

2011-12-31T08:23:00.000-08:00

আমি চা খাই না... কিন্তু চা বাগানে ঘুরতে যেতে আমার আপত্তি নাই... অনেকবার গেছি চা বাগানে, কখনও চা গাছের ফুল দেখা হয় নাই... অনেক দিন আগে একবার পেপারে পড়েছিলাম চা গাছের ফুল নাকি সচরাচর দেখা যায় না... তাই অনেক শখ ছিল এই গাছের ফুল দেখার... এইবার লালাখাল দেখতে যেয়ে ঐখানের চা বাগানে অনেক পুরানো কিছু চা গাছের দেখা পেয়ে গেলাম... আর প্রায় প্রতিটি গাছেই ফুল এসেছে... এমন অবস্থা যে কোনটা রেখে কোনটার ফটো উঠাই... ছোট সাদা ফুলটা দেখতে অনেকটা চালতা গাছের ফুলের ছোট ভাই বলে মনে হয়...

People are using Tea as drink from several hundred years back. The leaf of the plant is using to produce tea is having botanical name Camellia sinensis. This tea plant pertains to the plant family Theaceae.

Tea is an evergreen plant and grows at tropical condition. This shrubby plant can grow several meters in height, but forcefully trimmed under waist height for ease of collecting leafs during cultivation. The green leafs from the plant used to harvest periodically.

The small tea flower is white in color having five petals(can have up to 7/8). Center of the lovely flower has a stigma surrounded by lot of yellow stamens. Tea leafs are having lovely foliage and alternately placed. Flower is used to bloom at the opposite side of the face of the leaf, means bottom of the leaf.

Tea plant used to propagate using the cutting or from it's seeds. It takes around 4-12 years for a tea plant to bear seeds. Also the new plant can be harvested after 3 years of its plantation.

Bangladesh has lot of tea gardens at the Sylhet(সিলেট) and Chittagong(চট্টগ্রাম) hilly areas which are producing very high quality of teas throughout the years. Also lot of people used to visit those gardens during winter for their vacation. Recently at the northern part of our country, at district Panchagarh(পঞ্চগড়) few plain land tea gardens are started.

Picturesque tea garden

Photos of this article were taken from Lalakhal(লালাখাল) tea factory of Sylhet(সিলেট), during my tour at December 2011.

Brinjal Flower(বেগুন ফুল): Solanum melongena

2011-12-31T04:31:00.000-08:00

আমাদের আজকের ফুল, বেগুন ফুল... সাধারণত সবজি হিসেবে কমবেশি সবাই আমরা বেগুন কে চিনি... আলুর পরে সব থেকে বেশী ব্যবহৃত সবজি হলো বেগুন... রংধনুর যে সাত রং আছে, তার মধ্যে একটা রং হলো বেগুনি... এই বেগুনি রং টা এসেছে বেগুন থেকে... বেগুনের রঙের মতন বলেই এই রংকে বেগুনি বলে... আমাদের বাংলাদেশে দুই রঙের বেগুন হয়, সাদা(সবুজ) আর কালো(বেগুনি)... এই দুই রঙের মধ্যেই আবার দুই রকম আকারের হয়, লম্বা আর গোল... এছাড়া আরেকটা বেগুন হয় একদম ছোট ছোট, সেইটাকে বলে জলপাই বেগুন, যা একটু কম দেখতে পাওয়া যায়... বেগুনকে চিনলেও এমন অনেককেই পাব যারা বেগুনের ফুল কখনো দেখেই নাই... বেগুনের ফুল হয় ছোট হালকা বেগুনি রঙের... বড় বড় পাতাওয়ালা গাছে ছোট ছোট কাটা থাকে...

Our today's flower is brinjal flower. This pertains to the plant family Solanaceae. Botanical name of the plant is Solanum melongena. In Bangladesh, this is known as Begun(বেগুন). The common name of the plant is eggplant, brinjal, guinea squash, etc. This plant is native to the Indian territory.

Brinjal fruit

Plant grows around one meter in height at maximum having coarsely lobed leafs. The plant has thorns and steam are spiny. Flower is small, light violet in color having lobed corolla, stamens are yellow. Fruits are fleshy and used as vegetable.

Since the vegetable is highly palatable, it is being cultivated on a large scale in our country. Mostly people from dry land used to cultivate brinjal(almost no irrigation is required). It is a perennial plant, but using as annual when cultivated. Regardless the season, you'll find more or less brinjal in local market.

Photos of this article were taken from Nawabganj of Dhaka(নবাবগঞ্জ, ঢাকা) during my tour at December 2011.

Bagan Bilash(বাগান বিলাস ফুল) - Bougainvillea glabra

2011-12-30T10:57:00.000-08:00

আমাদের খুবই পরিচিত একটা ফুল হলো বাগান বিলাস. আমদের দেশের মোটামুটি প্রায় সব জায়গায় এই গাছ চোখে পরে... বিশেষ করে বাড়ির সামনের গেট অথবা পার্কে... বিভিন্ন রঙের হয়ে থাকে এই গাছের ফুল... লাল, কমলা, হলুদ, সাদা, গোলাপী, আরো কত রং...! দক্ষিন আমেরিকার এই ফুলের গাছটিকে এখন আর বিদেশী গাছ বলে মনেই হওয়া... আমরা এই ফুলকে বাগান বিলাস ফুল, কাগজ ফুল, কাগজি ফুল প্রভিতি নামে চিনি...

Bougainvillea is known as Bagan Bilash(বাগান বিলাস), Kagoj Ful(কাগজ ফুল), Kagji Ful(কাগজি ফুল), etc in Bangladesh. This flowering plant is native to South America. It pertains to the plant family Nyctaginaceae. Botanical name of the flower is Bougainvillea glabra.

This is a woody vine like plant. Using its spike, it can easily entangle other plants or fence. Plant can grows 1-12 meter in height. Leafs are ovate shaped. The color of the flower is red, yellow, pink, purple, white, orange, etc. The flower has three or six bracts having any of the mentioned colors. Doesn't have any smell.

This plant is using as ornamental flower for its bright colorful bracts. People used to say this plant as Paper Flower because of the paper like bracts. It produces lot of flower throughout the years. Sometimes you'll find the count of the flower is greater compare to leafs count.

Photos of this article were taken from Sylhet, during my tour at December 2011.

Mymensingh: Brahmaputra River(ব্রহ্মপুত্র নদ) & Bridge

2011-12-29T11:20:00.000-08:00

Friday, 16 December 2011

ব্রহ্মপুত্র নদ আমাদের দেশে এসে দুই ভাগে বিভক্ত হয়ে গেছে জামালপুর জেলায়... একটা যমুনা নদী আর অন্যটা ব্রহ্মপুত্র নদ নাম নিয়ে... একসময় যমুনার আকার ছিল ছোট, আর ব্রহ্মপুত্র এর আকার ছিল বড়... কিন্তু কালের প্রত্যাবর্তনে এখন উল্টাটা হয়ে গেছে... ব্রহ্মপুত্র এর আকার ছোট হতে হতে এমন অবস্থা যে একে এখন যমুনা নদীর শাখা বলে মনে হয়... একে এখন পুরাতন ব্রহ্মপুত্র নদ নামেই ডাকা হয়... এই পুরাতন ব্রহ্মপুত্র নদ জামালপুর দিয়ে মমন্সিংহ হয়ে পরবর্তীতে মেঘনা নদীর সাথে মিলে গেছে... আমরা যখন বিরিশিরি যাবার পথে ব্রহ্মপুত্র নদের উপরের ব্রিজটা ঘুরে ঘুরে দেখছিলাম, তখন আবহাওয়া অনেক বাজে ছিল... নদের উপরে ছিল প্রচন্ড কুয়াশা... তাই ইচ্ছা থাকা সত্যেও নদের কোনো ভালো ছবি আমি তুলতে পারি নাই...

The massive river Brahmaputra(ব্রহ্মপুত্র) entered through the northern part of Bangladesh. After entering, it diverse into two parts. One is eastern and other is western part. Eastern part is known as Old Brahammaputra Nod(পুরাতন ব্রহ্মপুত্র নদ) and other one is Jamuna river(যমুনা নদী).

Once upon a time the Eastern one was the larger one, but accruing the time, this one shrinking and other one got heavy. After coursing several districts like Jamalpur(জামালপুর), Mymensingh(ময়মনসিংহ), etc the river just merged with the Meghna River(মেঘনা নদী) and fall into the Bay of Bengal.

There are lot of bridges over this river at several districts. Near the Mymensingh(ময়মনসিংহ) town, you'll find two bridges. One is for the road transports, and other one is only for railway service. From one bridge other one can be seen. I have crossed the bridge by walking under the chilling weather.

The weather was so damp that I wasn't able to pick any good quality photo of the river. GPS coordinate of the bridge over the river is (24°44'56.03"N, 90°25'26.83"E).

Sylhet: Dholai Nodi(সিলেটের ধলাই নদী)

2011-12-29T10:04:00.000-08:00

Friday, 23 December 2011

বাংলাদেশে ধলাই নামে অনেকগুলা নদী আছে... আমার জানামতেই ধলাই নদী আছে মৌলভীবাজার আর নেত্রকোনা জেলায়... খোজ নিলে আরো অনেক জেলায় পাওয়া যাবে... আজকের লেখায় সিলেট জেলার কোম্পানীগঞ্জ থানার ধলাই নদীর কথা বলা হচ্ছে... ভারতের চেরাপুঞ্জি পাহাড় থেকে সৃষ্টি হয়ে ভোলাগঞ্জ দিয়ে বাংলাদেশে প্রবেশ করেছে নদীটি... পরবর্তীতে অন্যান্য নদীর সাথে মিশে শেষ পর্যন্ত সুরমা নদীতে যেয়ে মিলেছে... আমি ভোলাগঞ্জ ঘুরতে যেয়ে এই নদীর কিছু ছবি তুলেছি... এই লেখার সাথে দিয়ে দিলাম...

Current season of the Bangladesh is winter. During this season, the river Dholai(ধলাই নদী) become so serene that you'll find hardly any tide or flow there. Too much shallow river. Anyone can cross the river by walking. People used say the river as Mora Nodi(মরা নদী)

This river is originated from the Cherapunji Hills(চেরাপুঞ্জি পাহাড়) of India and entered the country through the Bholagonj of Sylhet(সিলেটের ভোলাগঞ্জ). After flowing very poorly in our country, it joined with the river Shurma(সুরমা নদী).

Dhalai nodi(ধলাই নদী) is famous for the stones. People used to collect the stone from the river. I have walked at the bank of the river from Bholagonj(ভোলাগঞ্জ ) to 'dosh number point'(দশ নাম্বার পয়েন্ট). The river bank seems too high for me. Possibly during rainy season, the river may have lot of water with heavy current.

The GPS coordinate at where the river entered into Bangladesh is (25° 9'10.02"N, 91°45'18.75"E)

Netrakona: Kongsho Nodi(কংস নদী)

2011-12-29T08:44:00.000-08:00

Saturday, 17 December 2011

আজকে নেত্রকোনার কংস নদীর কিছু ছবি দিচ্ছি... বিরিশিরি যাবার এবং আসবার পথে কংস নদীর উপরের ব্রিজটা পার হবার সময় চলন্ত গাড়ি থেকেই ছবিগুলা তুলেছিলাম... এটা ছিল জারিয়া ঝান্জাইল বাজারের কাছে... নদীটা ভারতের গারো পাহাড় থেকে সৃষ্ঠি হয়ে পরবর্তীতে সোমেশ্বরী নদীর সাথে এক হয়ে কংস নাম ধরে সামনের দিকে বয়ে চলেছে... বর্ষায় অনেক ভয়ংকর এই নদী, আর অন্যান্য সময়েও কম বেশি পানি থাকে...

Kangsha(কংস), a river from Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ). It has several names, Kangsha(কংস), Kangshai(কংসাই), Kangshabati(কংসবতী), etc. This flows through Mymensingh(ময়মনসিংহ) and Netrakona(নেত্রকোনা). All of the photos of this river were taken from Netrakona(নেত্রকোনা).

The river is originated from the Garo Hills(গারো পাহাড়) of India and flows as Kongsho(কংস), and later joined with the Shomeswari(সোমেশ্বরী) river at Jaria-Jhanjail(জারিয়া-ঝান্জাইল). The river kept the name Kangsha(কংস) after joining together.

Near the bridge you'll find two bazaar at either side. One is Jaria(জারিয়া), and other one is Jhanjail(ঝান্জাইল). People used to call this place as Jaria-Jhanjail(জারিয়া-ঝান্জাইল) together.

During it's course the river become to narrow and before demising it has joined with another great river of Bangladesh, Shurma(সুরমা), at Sunamganj(সুনামগঞ্জ).

All the photos of this article were taken from the car while crossing the Kongsho bridge at Jaria-Jhanjail. GPS coordinate of the bridge at (25° 0'46.59"N, 90°38'50.00"E)

Birisiri: China Matir pahar(চিনা মাটির পাহাড়)

2011-12-28T11:15:00.000-08:00

Saturday, 17 December 2011

বিরিশিরিতে চিনা মাটির পাহাড়টা নীল পুকুরের পাশেই... পুকুর দেখার আগে বা পরে যে কেও এই পাহাড় দেখে নিতে পারে... রহস্যময় এই পাহাড়ের মাটিতে প্রায় সব ধরনের রং ই পাওয়া যাবে... এখানে কিছু ছবি দিয়ে দেয়া হলো... দেখে পোড়া মাটির মতন মনে হতে পারে...

After enjoying the blue lake of birisiri, you can explore the china clay hill around the lake area. There are several hillocks around the lake. You can climb few of those to get the feelings of hiking.

The reason behind exploring the clay hill is it's colorful soil. You'll possibly find almost every color there from the rainbow. Sometimes you might feel that the soil was burnt or something like that, but its the natural clay having such color.

How to go & Where to stay:

Read the article about Birishiri Neel Pukur, at the bottom of the article you'll find about living and locating the place.

http://icwow.blogspot.com/2011/12/birishiri-china-clay-lake.html

Mymensingh: Shoshi Lodge(শশী লজ)

2011-12-28T08:44:00.000-08:00

Friday, 16 December 2011

Statue of Greek goddess Venus

It was on our way to Birisiri. After refueling the car at Mymensingh(ময়মনসিংহ) town, we have decided to visit this Jomidar house(জমিদার বাড়ি) from the town. We have spent 20-30 minutes around the palace premise.

This palace was built by the King SurjoKanto(সুর্যকান্ত). He had an adopted son named ShoshiKanto(শশীকান্ত). The king named the palace according to his son's name. Shoshikanto(শশীকান্ত) was the last inherent of that ruler family.

The architecture of the palace is not that much byzantine in design. You'll find a statue of Greek goddess Venus in front of the palace that was built using marble stone. I have found this statue is the most interesting part of that premise.

As we hadn't that much time for exploring the place, we have missed the pond behind the palace and the great Naglinum tree(নাগলিঙ্গম গাছ). The fruit from that ancient tree was used to feed the elephants.

I have a plan to explore the Mymensingh district, and that time I'll explore this old mansion once again. Next time I'll spend more time there.

Statue of Greek goddess Venus

This Jamindar house(জমিদার বাড়ি) is located at the main town. You can easily go there using rickshaw or by walking. This old house is currently using as Women Teachers Training College. Friday/Saturday is the best time to visit as regular working is close on that day. GPS coordinate of this antique house is (24°45'43.63"N, 90°24'11.67"E). It is near the Boro bazar area. Better ask anyone for the location of Mohila TT college(মহিলা টিটি কলেজ).

Jhunjhuni Ful(ঝুনঝুনি ফুল) - Crotalaria

2011-12-28T06:40:00.000-08:00

উজ্জল হলুদ রঙের ঝুনঝুনি ফুল দেখতে খারাপ না, তবে গন্ধটা খুব একটা সুবিধার না... ছোট বেলায় এই জংলি ফুলটা যতটানা আমাদের পছন্দের ছিল, তার থেকে বেশি পছন্দের ছিল এর পাকা ফল... খাওয়ার জন্য না, এর ফল পাকলে ভেতরের বীজগুলা শক্ত খোসার মধ্যে থাকে, বাদামের মতন, ঝাকি দিলেই ঝুনঝুন করে শব্দ হত... এই জন্য একে আমরা ঝুনঝুনি ফুল বলেই জানতাম... একটা ছড়ায় অনেকগুলা ঝুনঝুনি ফল থাকতো... তাই সামান্য ঝাকিতেই অনেক শব্দ হতো...

এখনো পাকে নাই... পাকলে এই ফলগুলা ঝাকি দিলেই ঝুনঝুন শব্দ হবে...

Our today's jungle flower is Jhunjhuni ful(ঝুনঝুনি ফুল). This plant belongs to the plant family Fabaceae. The genus Crotalaria of this plant family holds lot of almost similar such flowers. So it is hard for me to tell the exact botanical name of the flower. But possibly this can be Crotalaria mucronata. Common name of this flower is rattlepods.

Plants are woody shrub with erect growth. Leafs are tri-foliate and oval shaped. Flower occurs in inflorescence and color is yellow. Outer side of the petal of the flower has dark red stripes. Flower doesn't have any smell, but squeezing the petals will produce a bad pungent odor.

This plant produces lot of fruits as a bunch. When it is ripen, the shell of the fruit become too hard and the seeds remain inside that shell as free. So whenever it got any shake from the wind, it produces a lyrical sound. For this reason some people call this as Bell Flower.

In our country Bangladesh, this plant shows flower after starting the rainy season and continues till the winter. At the end of the winter, you'll find lot of ripen fruits as bunch that generates the sound.

Tri-foliate leaf.

Photos of this article were taken from Sylhet, during my tour at December 2011.

ফুলের জন্য ভালবাসা, আমি বুনো ফুল...

Kukshim Thankuni(কুক্ষিম থানকুনি) - Vernonia patula

2011-12-28T05:33:00.000-08:00

ফুলটি সম্পর্কে কারো কাছে অধিক তথ্য থাকলে নীচে মন্তব্য করুন...
Please comment below, if you know more about this weed...

বেগুনি/গোলাপী রঙের এই আগাছা ফুল ঢাকার রাস্তার মাঝের আইলান্ডের মধ্যেও দেখা যায়... আর ঢাকার বাইরের ঝোপঝাড়ে তো দেখা যাবেই... আমার অফিসের সামনেও কয়েকটা ছোট ছোট এই গাছ রয়েছে... এমনিতে চোখে পরে না... কিন্তু যখন উজ্জল গোলাপী রঙের ফুল ফোটা শুরু করে, তখন চোখে পরবেই... আপাতত একটা ছবি দিয়েই লেখা শুরু করে দিলাম... পরে আরো দিব যখন পাব... এই ফুলের যুতসই বাংলা কোনো নাম জানি না... কুক্ষিম থানকুনি বলেই লেখা দেখলাম কিছু ওয়েবসাইটে...

This flowering weed pertains to the plant family Asteraceae. Botanical name of the flower is Vernonia patula. Common name of the flower is Kukshim. This weed is native to Tropical Asia and widely available to our country Bangladesh. This is being called as Kukshim Thankuni(কুক্ষিম থানকুনি) at Bangladesh.

This is an erect herb grows up to 1-2 feet. Leafs are small and oval, elliptical shaped. An small plant produces lot of small flower. Color of the flower is purple/pink. Seeds are thin and light, easily can to travel through air for propagation.

ফুলের জন্য ভালবাসা... আমি বুনো ফুল...

Birisiri: Ranikhong Church(রানীখং গির্জা)

2011-12-27T10:23:00.000-08:00

Saturday, 17 December 2011

Missionary activities are highly seen around the place where the tribal people lives. Durgapur thana(দুর্গাপুর থানা) accommodates two tribal sect, Hajong(হাজং) and Garo(গারো). So it is obvious you'll see church/mission at Durgapur thana(দুর্গাপুর থানা). On the way to the Bijoypur BDR camp you'll find a church named Ranikhong(রানীখং).

Ranikhong(রানীখং) church was built somewhere around 1910-1915. Initially few people from the village went to the Bishop at Dhaka so that they can have a missionary at their village. But for logistic support and others, the Bishop wasn't able to comply with them. But he took few initiatives that helped the next Bishop to establish the church successfully there.

History of the church.

The church is located over a small hillock beside the river shomeswari(সোমেশ্বরী). The place is tranquil and you'd love to enjoy the picturesque view of the river beneath the hillock. Stay there as long as you want, no one going hinder your will there.

View of river Shomeswari from the church area.

The GPS coordinate of the Ranikhong church is (25°10'21.81"N, 90°39'29.42"E).

Jack in the bush(শেয়াল মুতি) - Chromolaena odorata

2011-12-27T05:07:00.000-08:00

ফুলটি সম্পর্কে কারো কাছে অধিক তথ্য থাকলে নিচে মন্তব্য করুন
Please comment below if you know more about the plant...

মোটামুটি বরেন্দ্র এলাকাতে আর পাহাড় টিলাতে এই জংলি গাছটা দেখা যায়... এখন শীতকাল, আর এই সময়টা প্রকৃতি থাকে রুক্ষ, কিন্তু এই রুক্ষতার মাঝেও জঙ্গল জুড়ে দেখা যায় এই গাছে হাজার হাজার মুক্তার মতন সাদা ফুল... একেতো জংলি ফুল, নাই কোনো গন্ধ, তার উপর হয় আবার ঝাকে ঝাকে, তাই এই ফুলের কদর আমাদের কাছে নাই বললেই চলে... আমি যখন ঘুরতে বের হই এই ঋতুতে তখন এই ফুলের মেলা আমাকে প্রচন্ড মুগ্ধ করে... যতদুর চোখ যায় শুধু এই ফুল দিয়ে ছেয়ে থাকে জঙ্গল... এই ফুলের বাংলা নাম মনে হয় শেয়াল মুতি...

People says this as jack in the bush. Some says Christmas Bush, and Common Floss Flower, Siam Weed, etc. I still don't know the Bengali(বাংলা) name of the flower. Botanical name of the flower is Chromolaena odorata(synonym Eupatorium odorata). It belongs to the plant family Asteraceae(Aster family). This is not native to our country Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ), its originally from North America.

This is a perennial herbaceous plant grows as bush. You'll never see this plant alone. Whenever you'll see this, you'll find hundreds and thousands of them are together. They used to produces millions of white flowers during the blooming season and it helps to propagate the plant easily for next years from myriad seeds.

This plant which has triangular leafs with saw toothed is an invasive weed, but at some countries this plant is using as ornamental plant(people are selling at online). At Indonesia, people are using the juice of this plant to treatment skin problems.

Photos of this article were taken from Birishiri and Sylhet, it was my tour during December 2011.

ফুলের জন্য ভালবাসা, আমি বুনো ফুল...

Birisiri: Hajong Mata Roshimoni Monument(হাজং মাতা রশিমনি স্মৃতিসৌধ)

2011-12-26T10:23:00.000-08:00

On the way of BDR camp of Bijoypur, you'll find a monument. This monument was built for remembering the courageous sacrifice of Hajong Roshimoni(হাজং রশিমনি). She was killed during the Tonk Andolon(টনক আন্দোলন). The GPS coordinate of the monument is (25° 9'27.72"N, 90°39'32.31"E).

That event was actually taking position against the barbarian ruler of that area. The Shushong King/Jomidar(সুসংগ রাজা/জমিদার) was the owner of all lands and local people were only allowed to cultivate there. They were forced to pay a portion from their crops, no matter how good or bad the harvest is. This cruel rule just crippled the farmers economically. So they have decided to stand against the ruler under the banner of Hajong Roshimoni(হাজং রশিমনি) who was later killed.

The monument is simple in design and may not be an attractive structure to you, but if you know the history behind, you may find this interesting. The book Bangladesher Krishoker Shongram(বাংলাদেশের কৃষকের সংগ্রাম) by Shotten Sen(সত্যেন সেন) has more detail about this courageous lady.

Birisiri: China Clay lake(চিনামাটির পুকুর)

2011-12-26T08:24:00.000-08:00

Saturday, 17 December 2011

বিরিশিরির নীল পানির পুকুরটা দেখার অনেক দিনের শখ ছিল... কিন্তু রাস্তার খারাপ অবস্থা, আর সময় সুযোগও হয়ে উঠছিলনা...অনেকদিন আগে একবার বর্ষায় প্ল্যান করেছিলাম যাবার জন্য... কিন্তু বর্ষায় পানি নীল থাকে না... তাই এই শীতকালেই সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়ে নিলাম দেখে ফেলার... আমি যেই ছবিগুলা এইখানে দিলাম, তা দিয়ে কিন্তু লেকটার সৌন্দর্য বুঝানো যাবেনা... আসল রং আমার ক্যামেরাতে আসে নাই... ছবিতে যা, এর থেকেও বেশি সুন্দর জায়গাটা...

The blue water lake of Birisiri(বিরিশিরি) is located at the Kulagora Upazila(কুলাগরা উপজেলা) of Durgapur Thana(দুর্গাপুর থানা) from Netrakona district(নেত্রকোনা জেলা). People call this lake as China Matir Lake, China Clay Lake(চিনা মাটির লেক), Limestone Lake, Neel Pukur(নীল পুকুর), etc. Main attraction of the lake is the water which having blue color in winter.

This is a small lake, you can say this is a pond as well. Normally the water from a pond used to be muddy, or greenish during winter. But this one is having blue color just because the china clay. This blue pond is generated after digging out china clay. According to the local people, the depth of the small pond is somewhere around 60-80 feet.

China clay comprises of lot of chemical compounds. The taste of the water is kind of bitter. May be the lake water has plenty of copper sulphet which can make the water color blue.

Last night I have hired rickshaw to visit the lake. I have fixed the rickshaw puller for 300 taka, and asked him to come at 7:00 at morning. Using his vehicle I have reached at the china clay lake. The GPS coordinate of the blue lake is (25° 9'31.29"N, 90°38'22.21"E).

During your way to the blue lake, you'll be enthralled by the picturesque view of the village and the beautiful shomeswari river(সমেস্বারী নদী). The ride was so exciting that anyone would love to do that again.

If you are a good swimmer, and confident enough over your ability, you can bring shorts to cool your body from the lake. I am sorry but there is no space for non-swimmer to take chance.

Possibly this is the only clay lake having blue water from Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ). Mymensingh(ময়মনসিংহ) has one, but that one is not that much beautiful like this one. So don't make the place messy by dropping your crumbs around(or inside) the lake.

How to go:

1. Using bus from Mohakhali bus stand come to Birishiri(বিরিশিরি).
2. Hire rickshaw from the local area. It will cost around 250-300 based on bargaining. Better book your rickshaw at night, and start riding at very early morning.
3. The rickshaw puller will guide you towards the lake.
4. It will take around 4-5 hours to explore the lake plus riding.
5. If your time is short, you can hire motorbike. This is faster but less fun.

Where to Stay:

There are two guest houses at Birishiri(বিরিশিরি), YWCA and YMCA. You can book any of those by phone before your arrival. Phone number of the YWCA is 01712042916. There are few hotels at Durgapur(দুর্গাপুর থানা), you can use those too.

Birishiri: Ram Krishna Mission(রাম কৃষ্ণ মিশন)

2011-12-22T06:54:00.000-08:00

Saturday, 17 December 2011

রামকৃষ্ণ মিশনটা পরবে ঠিক বিজয়পুর বিডিআর কেম্প যাবার বা আসার পথে... কিভাবে যেতে হয় তার জন্য নিচে লিঙ্ক দেয়া আছে... খুব একটা আহামরি কিছু না... কিন্তু যেতে পথে পরবে, তাই না দেখে গেলে কেমন হয়...?

Raam Krishna Mission of Bijoypur will be on the left side of the road during your ride towards the BDR camp. You can pass your few minutes at that place by holding your rickshaw or motorbike.

There are several buildings exist inside the premise including a temple. Also a medium sized pond is available in front of the temple. This link will tell you how to go to that place http://icwow.blogspot.com/2011/12/birisiri-bijoypur-bdr-camp.html

For your simplicity, the GPS coordinate of the temple is (25° 8'28.45"N, 90°39'47.26"E).

Common Coleus - Solenostemon scutellarioides

2011-12-21T11:05:00.001-08:00

Colorful eye catching pattern on leaf

Our today's flowering plant is Common Coleus. This plant basically native to Eastern Asian region. Botanical name of this lovely plant is Solenostemon scutellarioides. This plant pertains to the plant family Lamiaceae(mint family). Other common names of this plant are Flame Nettle, Painted Nettle, Painted leafs, Duckfoot, etc.

This is a garden flowering plant and popular for it's colorful leafs. This annual herb plan can grow up to 1 meter in height. Leafs are ovate shaped. Flowers are violet/purple in color(inflorescence). This plant used to propagate using cutting. Requires full sunlight to bring the color more brightly.

Ants are busy with collecting honey

This garden flower is now a days available in the parks, gardens, etc of Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ). Since this plant is not native to our country, and also it is less known to our people, it doesn't have any Bangla(বাংলা) name(at least I don't know).

Photos of this article were taken from Mymensingh, during my tour at December 2011.