Bangladesh

 

Comilla: Fun at river Gomti

Comilla has two predominant rivers. One is Meghna, and another one is Gomti. At Saturday, 3rd April 2010, I had a chance to visit the river. It was dry season, and the water level of the river was so low. But the flow of the river wasn't ease at all.

At afternoon, after visiting the Maynamati War Cemetery, we went to the reservoir of the Gomti. It was just 15 taka riksha fair, or half kilometer walking distance. We went there by rikshaw, and return back by foot.

I love water, and most of all I love to swim at river. Its a different feelings to swim at river. I have taken bath at several rivers before. So why not Gomti? I have my shorts at my traveling bag, and i couldn't resist myself to jump inside the river after having a hot day.

Gomti is flowing all through the Comilla. So you can reach any portion of the bank of the river from most of the places. So next time if you are planning to visit the Comilla, and if you know how to swim, then my suggestion is to cool your body by Gomti.

Comilla: Shalban Bihar & Maynamati Museum

About Shalban Bihar:

This site formerly was known as Salban Rajar bari. But after excavation ground plan of a Buddhist monastery measuring 550'x500' with 115 monastic cells was exposed. Hence it is now popularly known as salban vihara. A dominant central shrine and its monumental gate way on the north is its special attraction. In its central shrine has revealed six building and rebuilding phases while in the monastery four.

From one of the terracotta sealing, we came to know this monastery was built by Sri Bhava Deva, the 4th ruler of the early. Deva dynasty during mid 8th century A.D. So during its hey-day it was called Bhava Deva Maha Vihara. The antiquities recovered during excavation are now displayed in the Maynamati Museum.

How to reach at Shalban Bihar:

This is once again at Kotbari, Comilla. I was there at Saturday, 3rd April 2010. Read "how to reach" from the article Remember you are getting down from the bus at Comilla Cantonment. From there take a CNG, and it will cost you 70-90 taka to reach at Shalban Bihar.

To enter the shalban bihar, you'll require to buy ticket. It will price you 10 taka per person. You can enjoy your time until the time is up. Its a picnic spot, and lots of students from diverse schools are coming this place as study tour.

Maynamati Museum:

Beside the Shalban Bihara, you'll find a museum affluent with collection from the excavation of the Archeological sites. Like other museum, you are not allowed to use any Camera inside. You have to buy a ticket to enter the Museum. both person will cost 10 taka.

Comilla: Itakhula Mura, an archeological site

Most of the people used to visit Comilla for the Shalban bihara, and never looked at a marvelous archeological site called "Itakhula Mura". It can be pronounced as "Etakhula Mura or Muda". Anyway I was there at Saturday, 3rd April 2010. It was noon, and sun was hot. But there were a gentle breeze that was doing all the parts of cooling.

If you plan to visit the site, you have to first reach Comilla. This archeological site is just 200 meter apart from the BARD, Kotbari. So please convert the "How to go" section from here

When you'll walk towards the Itakhula mura from BARD, you will find a placard on the right side of the road like below photo. Just follow the direction.

Locally the site is known as Itakhula Mura. As a result of mine a ground plan of an east facing Buddhist temple has been exposed. Five building and rebuilding phases have been found in the temple. Besides this the remains of a vihara has been exposed on northern side of the temple.

Among the discovered antiquities are 18 tola solid gold, one silver coin, and a copper plate is noteworthy. Besides these a bust of a large size stucco image which is still insitu. In consideration of the antiquities and architectural features the temple may be dated in 7th to 12th century A.D.

Comilla: Maynamati War Cemetery

Bangladesh has two cemeteries of the world war II. One is at Chittagong, and another one is at Comilla(কুমিল্লা). Both of these are monitored and governed by the Commonwealth Grave Commission. If you are planning to visit the cemetery at Comilla(কুমিল্লা), then this blog has a little information that may help you.

How to reach at the Cemetery:

You can reach at Comilla(কুমিল্লা) by bus or train. Its around 2 hours bus or train journey(but requires more than that for the massive traffic jam). I went there by bus. From my experience, Asia Line(এশিয়া লাইন) and Tisha(তিশা) are the two affordable transport facilities that you can use. It will cost you 110 Taka. The final destination of the bus is Comilla(কুমিল্লা) town, but it will be best for you to get down at Comilla Cantonment(কুমিল্লা ক্যান্টনমেন্ট). Cause its a walking distance from the cantonment.


From cantonment, you can take a CNG Auto for your own. Or you can share with other people. That case it will cost you only 5 taka. If you take it as full reservation, that case it will cost you 30 taka. The Cemetery is just beside the Military Hospital(CMH). My suggestion is to have a walk instead of spending money.

Things to remember:

The Cemetery is open from morning 7:00 to 12:00 at noon, and from afternoon 2:00 to 5:00. Without this timing you cannot enter the Cemetery, they are strict about the timing. So careful about this.

Updated as per 16 March 2013:

This is my second time to visit the cemetery. Last time was a bad luck and couldn't spend that much time as we were late when reached here. So this time I was careful about the timing and reached the cemetery well before the closing time. Spend around an hour here by observing the graves and the flowering plants from there.