The glory of Rajshahi is deeply rooted in its unique history, traditions, and distinctness. The sense of serenity which is present in this place is beyond compare. It would be great to consider Rajshahi as a city which holds immense potential, because of the significant developments it has made in the silk industry and the abundant level of fruits it possesses. When looked closely, you will never run out of reasons to love Rajshahi. So, how about taking a look at some of the most amazing factors about this place which makes it stand apart from other districts!
Life in Rajshahi
It is easier to get a better understanding of a place through observing the people and their lifestyles, established customs, and their traditions. One of the key reasons to love Rajshahi lies in the sincerity and kindness of the people who belong there. They tend to lead a very simple lifestyle and will leave you amazed with their hospitality.
Rajshani is widely known as ‘Shikha Nogori’ and the degree to which everyone over there is concerned about education is really commendable. There are basically three things around which their lives revolve – the padma river, mango production, and the silk industry. Residing right next to the Padma river can be one reason behind their simplicity and humbleness. In Rajshahi, Padma is a major source of livelihood for a significant number of people. Some are involved with farming, some are engaged with their businesses, while the rest happen to be service holders. The harvesting of fruits like mango and litchi, as well as their processing acts as a major source of employment for many.
An integral part of Rajshahi is the silk industry. The process of collecting cocoons from silkworms and finally weaving them into yarn has created immense opportunities for both the male and female workers to engage in something productive. Even though such a process may create a significant amount of waste, the active participation of responsible residents as well as the administrative system of Rajshahi makes it possible to keep the city neat and clean.
Transport Network
In the second edition of Why I Love series, we discussed the roads of Khulna, whereas today we are going to look into the road conditions of Rajshahi. Rajshahi is a planned district with plenty of captivating views starting from the smooth roads to the dams located on the banks of the Padma river. Away from all the hustle and bustle of the city life, Rajshahi can be the perfect place to help you in regaining your mental peace. Here you will find rickshaws and tempos with modern features, which will add more to your comfort. You can also reach the district by bus, train or plane from any part of the country.
Everything you will see in Rajshahi
While discussing the reasons to love Rajshahi, how can we miss out on the numerous landmarks located there. During the summer you will get a pleasing view of both raw and ripe mangoes in the trees. If you want to visit the historical sites of Rajshahi, you can go to Puthia Rajbari or pay a visit to the oldest museum in Bangladesh, the Varendra Research Museum. In case you are intending to spend time close to nature, you can spend your afternoon on the banks of the Padma river. The T-dam of Padma is widely known in Rajshahi for spending time with family and friends during the holidays. If you ever visit Rajshahi, you must consider visiting the BSCIC Industrial City. You will be surprised to see how silk is made from insects there. The silk fabrics can be bought from there at comparatively low prices.
Moreover, the campus of Rajshahi University has brought a new dimension to the beauty of the city. In the campus, you will find a sculpture of ‘Shabash Bangladesh’ by artist Nitun Kund, which was built with the financial help of Rajshahi University Central Student Parliament and the students of this country. Other notable sculptures of Rajshahi district include ‘Smriti Amlan’. This blue white stone monument is located right in the middle of the city. The aesthetically pleasing view of the Bagha mosque is also something which cannot be ignored. This 15th century mosque is unique in its exquisite terracotta and architectural style. Lastly, other places worth visiting include the ancient Dutch factory called ‘Barakuthi’ and the tomb of Hazrat Shah Makhdum.
Food
While you are in Rajshahi, tasting their delicious meals is a must. You should definitely try out the famous ‘Kaliza Singara’ and ‘Khashir Samosa’ from the Biddut Hotel and Restaurant in Shaheb Bazar. Rajshahi is an absolute place for those with sweet teeth. There are abundant amounts of sweets available in the confectionary stores. You can also taste the popular sweets of Komla Bhog and Ranar’s Sweets. In front of the Rajshahi court and Rajshahi University you will get the most famous food of the entire region, ‘Kalai Ruti’, the main ingredient of which is Mascalai pulse. The people of this riverine district are naturally drawn to eat fish. Starting from Padma Hilsa to Puli fish, various small fish called Batasi are also available here.
River
The Padma is the main river of Rajshahi, which gave birth to tributaries Mahananda and Punarbhaba. A simple boat ride on Padma will refresh your mind and set a mood instantly. Especially during the monsoon season, the Padma water level rises and fills to the brim. During this time a higher number of travel enthusiasts are attracted towards this spot. A lot of people use dinghies and motor boats for their rides. Moreover, city dwellers usually rush to the banks of the river to spend their lazy afternoons with their friends and family.
Mango – the king of all fruits
One of the major reasons to love Rajshahi is the delicious and various kinds of mangoes. Rajshahi’s mangoes are equally popular all across the country. Over the last three years, mangoes produced from Rajshahi have been exported even to European markets. Starting from Guti to a variety of other mangoes like Gopal Bhog, Lakshmanbhog, Rani Pasand, Khirshapati or Himsagar, Lengra, Amrapali, and Fazli are all available in Rajshahi. If you travel to Rajshahi during June or July, you will find mango fairs in marketplaces, villages as well as in the towns of Rajshahi. You will simply feel like you have reached the kingdom of mangoes! Visiting this amazing place will not only give you more reasons to love Rajshahi, but will also help you find your inner peace and it’s definitely going to be worth it.
Are you now looking forward to your next trip to Rajshahi? Did this article give you more reasons to love Rajshahi? Let us know how your experience turned out in the comment section below.
