Unique Places in Bangladesh

By walking 30-40 minutes or 20 minutes by rickshaw out of the town of Ghoroghata where the boat landing is you will reach the foot of the ridge where the Maheskhali stupas are located. A short walk up and you have a commanding view of the whole island.
Despite distaste and general ignorance of ancient religious remains (8-9th century), the stupas are in a fairly good shape. They are very nicely and harmoniously built. Maheskali also has some good trails for walking if you wish to push on from the stupas.

Maheskhali Island is off the coast, just north of Cox's Bazaar. Unusual for Bangladesh, the island has a rocky ridge and some higher points were it is possible to get a good view all around. Together with neighbouring Sonadia, Maheskhali is the first island in the path of cyclones when they hit the eastern Bay of Bengal, and there are many tales of death and destruction here. With early warning systems and cyclone shelters things have improved, but occasionally the fishing fleet out of Maheskhali is hard hit by sudden storms. To reach Maheskhali, the easiest way is to take the local boats or charter your own out of Cox's Bazaar. Should take about 30-40 minutes, and the cost of the local boat is not much. Landing on the island at low tide is a muddy affair - have appropriate footwear that can handle water and sucking mud. On the island there is hardly any tourist infrastructure, but small local restaurants and friendly locals. Interestingly, the island has some ancient Buddhist stupas and a prominent Hindu Shiva temple as well. All is reachable from the pier.
This island is an interesting day trip out of Cox's Bazaar.

Teknaf is 80 kilometers south of Cox's Bazar on the west bank of the Naaf River, and is the southern most point of Bangladesh. The Naf River devides literally Bangladesh from Burma here, so the land you see on the other bank is Burma/Myanmar. At the time I was there, the Parjathan Coorporation had not as yet built a motel, so we stayed in the forestry bungalow, not far from the sea. What the beauty of Teknaf was, and I sincerely hope still is, is that it was virually unspoilt. The beach was absolutly pristine and with the exception of fishermen, completely empty. I remember the rows of fish drying in the sun on racks and coloured fishing boats lining the beach. Behind the beach are hills and jungle. The forest was quite literally teeming with wildlife - a jackal had made its home quite close the bungalow and spent his evenings howling/screaming under my window. At the time it was not allowed to travel on the Naaf River, but I have since been told there are boat trips available.

On the photo above is captured the rare mystical moment of a sacred bathing ceremony called kumbha-mela.

usually more known in Indian famous places of pilgrimage like Haridwar or Prayag (Allahabad) this festival celebrated in Bangladesh as well.

this particular place is almost on the border with Indian state of Assam, north-east of Bangladesh. it is conducted once a year. there is no even decent village road to that VERY remote place which is about 30 or more kilometers from some tiny boat station. mela means gathering in general, here particularly for the purpose of purification from sins.

it is said that great saint powerfull mystic Advaita Acharya some 520 years back has made arrangements for his old mother to be able to take bath in confluence of all holy rivers which obidiently agreed to come to that place every year on that particular date according to lunar calendar. his mother was lamenting that she can't travel to Ganga in due to her advantanced age and weak health, so he has called all holy rivers, not only Ganga, to that place. since that time it happens - early morning or sometimes few hours after midnight water starts to appear almost out of nowhere. thousands of people gather there few days in advance and wait for an auspicious astrological moment when proper constellations take their place in he havens. somehow by the noon water is gone!

it is REALY "off the beaten path". it took me at least 6 hours walking bare footed (as tradition says) to reach the place, on the tourching sun and in the mid of huge crowds of pilgrims. then practically no rest coz of luck of place even to sit, and noise whole night, and waiting for the right time of bathing...

so are you realy up for the "off the beaten path" ? try this one then -:)

Actually more or less (I would say more than less -:) Bangladesh itself in general is a whole trip "off beaten path". but I would especially recommend country side.

Beauty of rural Bangladesh and the soul of its people! it is still 90% agricultural country. cities r overcrowded and - sorry to say - dirty. if u only stay in Sheraton or Shonargoan 5 star hotels - what u can see of the country itself except same wester-styled service there? get some local friends and let them take u to real Bangladesh - its fields and huge rivers.

Actually, I think Bangladesh is a bit 'off the beaten path' itself. So few tourists come here that the people are still very unused to it. We took a stroll behind the hospital in Dhaka, and immediately became the news of the day.

Remarkably, not one of these people asked us for anything. Compared to India, Bangladesh has very few beggars.

Ramna Park, located between Hare Road & Moulana Bhasani Road. Its not really off the beaten path but chances are you may pass it by without taking a walk through it. This park is a large 76 acre park that is buzzing with activity, food stalls, and plenty of open spaces. Trees abound here so there is plenty of shade to hide you from that nasty South Asian sun. There is also a mosque on the park grounds so don't be suprised if you hear the call to prayer and get swarmed by bearded Muslim men on their way to Kakrail Mosque.

Real village life is a nice break from the busy city. Ask someone local to take you to a village area. You will be welcomed everywhere. People are friendly, but very curious, so don't be surprised if you find that they are more interested in you than you in them.