Have you ever wanted to spend a day or two in absolute serenity, be a bohemian for a time when nothing in this cruel world can mess up with your peace? Spending a full day and night on boat, seeing the starry sky at night, drenching in the rain while taking bath in the river water: its possible only when not so adventurous journey becomes an adventure itself.
I am taking about a river cruise on Tanguar Haor, a well known water body situated in Dharmapasha and Tahirpur upazilas of Sunamganj District in Bangladesh. It is known for its wide ecosystem and scenic beauty among localities, but any one looking for a peaceful journey has to enjoy the place’s offering.
When to visit:
Haor, is a seasonal water body, moderately common in north-eastern part of Bangladesh. During the monsoon, these places receives surface runoff waters from nearby rivers and hills and thus becomes a a great source of turbulent water most likely an inland sea. Only highlands inside these haors seems like islands among sea, and some local people live in these islands. That’s why the best season to visit Tanguar Haor is during rainy season, which occurs during July to September in Bangladesh. Although, Tanguar Haor is open all the year round, and many tourists also visit during winter.
Places to visit:
Trip to Tanguar Haor mostly consists of river cruising on Troller (a local made engine boat) and sight seeing. Its the natural scenery and boat journey that makes the difference. During day, you can visit some well known tourist spots of Tanguar Haor like: Niladri Lake, Barikka Hill, Jadukata River Shimul Garden, Taker Ghat, Lakma Chora etc. Mostly these places are near the India-Bangladesh border area and have a great view. If you visit the haor in rainy season, you can enjoy river water to the fullest as well as the hide and seek game of clouds and hills from boat.
Night Stay:
There are one or two local hotels for staying the night during visit to Tanguar Haor. But if you want to enjoy the trip to the fullest, you have to spend the night at boat. Most of the boats have a good accommodation system. Nothing can beat feeling of spending the night on dark haor with no mechanic sound and a starry night above. In tourist season, there are some local singer teams are available for rent, and they can accompany the night with local music and singing local songs. Sunamganj, the district where the haor is situated, is very culturally rich place. Many of the Bangladesh’s legendary singers and poets like Hason Raja, Shah Abdul Karim were born here. Being said that, the music that the singers will deliver might take you to a spiritual journey on that night.
If you make up your mind to visit this little piece of heaven on earth, you should check with the Bangladesh tour operators beforehand so that you can plan your tour better. During planning, please consult with a tour operator who has their own boat, and also check the amenities that the boat offers. A good timing for the trip and a good boat can give you an experience of your lifetime.