Rangamati
Rangamati was a contesting
ground for the kings of Tripura and Arakan.
This region came under the Mughal Empire after
the Muslim invasion in 1566. In 1737 Sher Mosta Khan, a tribal leader,
took refuge with the Mughals. After this the Chakma settlement began along with
various other settlements of varying ethnicity. From 1760 to 1761, this land
was leased to the East India Company.
Rangamati, a small town located amongst the green hills, lakes and
rivers of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. This is what makes it a prime Bangladesh
hill destination. It is known as the Lake City of Bangladesh as
this place is located on the bank of the beautiful Kaptai Lake.
It is the administrative headquarter of the Rangamati Hill District, the
largest district of Bangladesh and located some 77 kilometres away from
Chittagong. For long time Rangamati has been a prime Bangladesh tourist destination for its location, scenic beauty,
colourful tribal people, tribal homespun textiles and ivory jewellery.
The rich natural resources, diverse
flora and fauna makes Rangamati a Bangladesh Eco-Tourism Destination.
The road leading to Rangamati circles and winds through hilly terrains covered with lush green
forests and creates a memorable experience for years to come. A
stay here provides a glimpse into the lifestyle of various tribes living there.
The ethnic tribes of Rangamati are the Chakma, Marma, Tonchongya, Tripura, Murong, Bome, Khumi, Kheyang, Chak, Pankhoa, and Lusai. The mix of different races,
cultures, religions and customs creates an interesting community at Rangamati.
It is said that without visiting Rangamati a tourist will miss a colourful
slice of Bangladesh.
Visit Rangamati during October to
February as the temperature remains cool and usually there is no rainfall,
however, the beauty of Rangamati unleashes during the monsoon as the forest
becomes greener, bursts with life and the rivers and waterfalls becomes
replenished.
·
Kaptai Lake: This large man made lake of Bangladesh spanning
over an area of approximately 11000km2, was created as
a reservoir when the Kaptai dam was built during the 1960s. The lake was
created by flooding valleys and plain lands between numerous hills. This
created a picturesque view as
forested hills and plateaus rise from beneath the water. The government
run tourism corporation and private operators offer Kaptai Lake Cruise
Tours, which is worth of it. Other scenic spots are also accessible through
the waterways.
·
Shuvolong Falls: Shuvolong a place in Borokol sub district,
located about 25kilometers (11kilometers – as the crow flies) away from
Rangamati. There are few waterfalls in Shuvolong area
with the largest one falling from as high as 300 feet. In the past several
years, this place has turned into a tourist destination due to beautiful waterfalls
and the nearby market. Shuvolong is easily accessible by speed boat or motor
boats from Rangamati.
·
Tribal Museum: The museum is located near the entry point to
the city. Established in 1978, it is run by the Tribal Cultural
Institute. Traditional ornaments. costumes, potteries, musical instruments,
armaments, paintings and photographs, old manuscripts, statues and ancient
coins of various tribes are on display here. It is open Saturday to Thursday
excluding public holidays.
·
Hanging Bridge: This 335feet long bridge across a portion of the
Kaptai lake is an icon of Rangamati.
·
Kaptai National Park: This forest reserve is located in the Karnafuly
and Kaptai range. According to the government statistics some 50,000 people
visits the national park every year as it provides some walking trails among the lush
green forest. The animal species of Kaptai National park are deer, elephants, monkeys, fishing
cats and birds. The Kaptai Forest Rest house, Kaptai Mukh
Forest Rest House and several picnic spots are located here.
·
Rajban Bihar Pagoda: An internationally known Buddhist Temple,
where the spiritualist principal monk of Rajban Vihara, Shrimath Sadhana Nanda
Mohasthabir(Ban Vante) lives.
·
Peda Ting Ting: A small island on the Kaptai Lake, few
kilometres away from Rangamati. It is mostly known for its serenity. There are
a few tourist accommodation
facilities here and a tiny restaurant run by the locals. It offers
foods ranging from traditional to indigenous delicacies.
·
Chakma Royal Palace: This is the palace of the present Chakma King.
However, it is open to public for a visit.
·
DC Bungalow Area: The District Commissioner’s Bungalow is located
adjacent to the lake. There is a small light house and a shelter accessible to
the public. This spot provides a nice view of the lake.
·
Others: The local market is also a tourist attraction as it offers handicrafts, textiles and ornaments made by
the tribal people.
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