|
Miles
of golden sands, towering cliffs, surfing waves,
rare conch shells, colorful pagodas, Buddhist
temples and tribes, delightful sea-food--this
is Cox's Bazar, the tourist capital of Bangladesh.
Having the world's longest (120 kilometers.) beach
sloping gently down to the blue waters of the
Bay of Bengal, Cox's Bazar is one of the most
attractive tourist sport in the country.
There are also a few very old wooden Buddhist
temples at Ramu, a few kilometers from Cox's Bazar,
well worth visiting.
Located at a distance of 152 km. south of Chittagong,
the leading seaport of Bangladesh, Cox's Bazar
is connected both by air and road from Dhaka and
Chittagong.
A drive to Teknaf, which is the southernmost tip
of the mainland of Bangladesh, is a memorable
journey. A day trip to either Moheshkhali or Sonadia,
the deltaic islands nestled among the gentle waves
of the Bay of Bengal, will also be really interesting.
Other attractions for visitors are conch shell
market, tribal handicraft, salt and prawn cultivation.
Besides, the longest sea-beach, Cox's Bazar and
its adjoin areas have a lot of things to see and
places deserve visit by the tourists.
Himchari: It is about
32 km. South of Cox's Bazar along the beach, a
nice place for picnic and shooting. The famous
"Broken Hills" and waterfalls here are
rare sights.
Inani: It is about
32 km. South of Cox's Bazar and just on the beach,
with the sea to the west and a background of steep
hills to the east. Inani casts a magic spell on
those who step into that dreamland. It is only
half an hour's drive from Cox's Bazar and an ideal
place for Sea-bathing and picnic.
Maheskhali: An island
off the coast of Cox's Bazar. It has an area of
268 square kilometers. Through the centre of the
island and along the eastern coast line rises
a range of low hills, 300 feet high; but the coast
to the west and north is a lowlying treat, fringed
by mangrove jungle. In the hills on the coast
is built the shrine of Adinath, dedicated to siva.
By its side on the same hill is Buddhist Pagoda.
Ramu: This is a typical
Buddhist village, about 16 km. from Cox's Bazar,
on the main road to Chittagong. There are monasteries,
khyangs and pagodas containing images of Buddha
in gold, bronze and other metals inilaid with
precious stones.
One of the most interesting of these temples is
on the bank of the Baghkhali river. It houses
not only interesting relics and Burmes handicrafts
but also a large bronze statue of Buddha measuring
thirteen feet high and rests on a six feet high
pedestal. The wood carving of this khyang is very
delicate and refined.
The village has a charm of its own. Weavers ply
there trade in open workshops and craftsmen make
handmade cigars in their pagoda like houses.
Sonadia Island: It
is about seven kilometer of Cox's Bazar and about
nine square kilometer in area. The western side
of the island is sandy and different kinds of
shells are found on the beach. Off the northern
part of the island, there are beds of window pane
oysters. During winter, fisherman set up temporary
camps on the island and dry their catches of sea
fish.
St. Martins Island: This
small coral island about 10km (6mi) south-west
of the southern tip of the mainland is a tropical
cliché, with beaches fringed with coconut palms
and bountiful marine life. There''s nothing more
strenuous to do here than soak up the rays, but
it''s a clean and peaceful place without even
a mosquito to disrupt your serenity.
It''s possible to walk around the island
in a day because it measures only 8 sq km (3 sq
mi), shrinking to about 5 sq km (2 sq mi) during
high tide. Most of island''s 5500 inhabitants
live primarily from fishing, and between October
and April fisher people from neighbouring areas
bring their catch to the island''s temporary wholesale
market. A ferry leaves Teknaf for St Martin every
day and takes around 3 hours.
Getting to St. Martin''s is a three-step program.
First you''ll need to fly or bus it down to Cox''s
Bazar, and then catch a bus to Teknaf, which is
right on the very tip of Bangladesh, sandwiched
up against Myanmar. From Teknar, ferries run daily
to St. Martin Island. The total distance from
Dhaka to the island is 510km (316mi).
The Aggameda Khyang, Cox's
Bazar:
Equally elaborate in plan, elevation and decoration
is the Aggameda Khyang near the entrance to the
Cox's Bazar town which nestles at the foot of
a hill under heavy cover of a stand of large trees.
The main sanctuary-cum-monastery is carried on
a series of round timber columns, which apart
from accommodating the prayer chamber and an assembly
hall, also is the repository of a large of small
bronze Buddha images-mostly of Burmese origin--
and some old manuscripts.
Beyond the main khyang to the south there is an
elevated wooden pavilion and a smaller brick temple
with a timber and corrugated metal root. Apart
from bearing an inscription in Burmese over its
entrance the temple contains some large stucco
and bronze Buddha images.
Teknaf: Southernmost
tip of Bangladesh, Teknaf situated on the Naaf
river and just at the end of the hilly regions
of the district. Mayanmar is on the opposite bank
of Naaf river. Wild animals and birds are available
but the most interesting thing is a journey on
the river. Wide sandy beach in the backdrop of
high hills with green forests is an enchanting
scene never to be forgotten.
The Cox's Bazar Holiday Complex of Bangladesh
Parjatan Corporation, the National Tourism Organization
is an ideal tourist resort having a number of
facilities for the visitors.
|