Kuakata - a rare scenic beauty
Kuakata : Kuakata, locally known as Sagar Kannya (Daughter of the
Sea) is a rare scenic beauty spot on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh.
Kuakata in Latachapli union under Kalapara Police Station of Patuakhali
district is about 30 km in length and 6 km in breadth.

Kuakata-view of the rising and setting of crimson sun in the water
of the Bay of Bengal |
It is 70 km from Patuakhali district headquarters and 320 km from
Dhaka. At Kuakata excellent combination of the picturesque natural
beauty, sandy beach, blue sky, huge expanse of water of the Bay and
evergreen forest in really eye-catching.
The name Kuakata have originated from Kua-Well dug on the sea shore
by the early Rakhine settlers in quest of collecting drinking water, who
landed on Kuakata coast after expelled from Arakan by Moughals.
Afterwards, it has become a tradition of digging Kua-Well in the
neighbourhood of Rakhaine homestead for collection water for drinking
purpose and general use.
Tourist Attractions : Kuakata is one of the rarest places which has
the unique beauty of offering the full view of the rising and setting of
crimson sun in the water of the Bay of Bengal in a calm environment.
That perhaps makes Kuakata one of the world's unique beaches. The long
and wide beach at Kuakata has a typical natural setting. This sandy
beach has gentle slopes into the Bay of Bengal and bathing there is as
pleasant as is walking or diving.
Kuakata is truly a virgin beach-a sanctuary for migratory winter
birds, a series of coconut trees, sandy beach of blue Bay, a feast for
the eye. Forest, boats plying in the Bay of Bengal with colourful sails,
fishing, towering cliffs, surfing waves everything here touches every
visitor's heart.
The unique customs and costumes of the 'Rakhyne' tribal families and
Buddhist Temple of about hundred years old indicate the ancient
tradition and cultural heritage, which are objects of great pleasure
Kuakata is the place of pilgrimage of the Hindus and Buddhist
communities.
Innumerable devotees arrive here at the festival of 'Rush Purnima'
and 'Maghi Purnima'. On these two days they take holy bath and
traditional fairs are held here. All these additional offers to
panoramic beauty make the beach more attractive to the visitors. One
should visit Kuakata and discover the lovely grace of Bangladesh.
Means of Communication : There exists road communication between
Dhaka and Patuakhali district headquarters. Accessible by road, water or
air transport up to Barisal. Then one may travel by road or water to
Kuakata or Patuakhali.
BRTC has introduced direct bus service from Dhaka to Kuakata via
Barisal. Besides that, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, National Tourism
Organization may organize guided package tours from Dhaka to Kuakata on
demand.
Parjatan Facilities : Parjatan Holiday Homes at Kuakata is an ideal
tourist resort having a number of facilities for the tourists.
Shopping in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is indeed a shoppers' paradise with a rich tradition in
handicrafts at throw away prices. While muslin of ancient Dhaka has gone
into history, other products such as contemporary paintings, wood works,
shital pati (mattress having cooling effect), bamboo decoration pieces,
cane and conch shell products, gold and silver ornament, cotton, silk,
gold, silver, jute, reed, brassware, traditional dolls and leather goods
also receive deep appreciation of the lovers of arts and crafts now and
over the past centuries. In addition, Bangladesh is famous for pink
pearl.
Pink Pearl : Pink pearls are the best buy in Dhaka. These natural
products are unparallel in luster.
Gold & Silver : A wide range of gold and silver ornaments, silver
filigree work etc. are considered by many travellers to be unparalleled.
Brass & Copperware : Among the best buys here are brass and copperware
trays, wall decorations, vases etc. all are hand made with fine
engravings and filigree work.
Products made from the hides and skins of animals and reptiles,
intricate wood carvings, cane and bamboo products, conch shell, bangles,
embroidered quilts, jamdani and silk fabrics can also be bought. These
are available in DIT market and a number of exclusive shop in New
Elephant Road, Dhaka.
Duty- free Shopping: Duty free sales and display centers run by
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (NTO) are located in Dhaka, Zia
International Airport, Mohakhaii and Sylhet Airport.
These shops enjoy the reputation of being well established with a
wide range of goods at unbeatable prices. Goods available include wines
and spirits, perfumes, cigarettes, hi-fi stereo and audio-visual
equipment, Cameras, Watches and a range of household appliances. All
purchases must be paid for in foreign currency.
Flora & fauna
Abundance of Bangladesh's bird life makes it an ornithologist's
paradise. Of the 525 recorded species, 350 are resident. Among them are
bulbul, magpie, robin, common game birds, cuckoos, hawks, owls, crows,
kingfishers, woodpeckers, parrots and myna. A wide variety of warblers
are also found. Some of them are migrants and appear only in winter. The
migratory and seasonal birds are pre-dominantly ducks.
Of the 200 species of mammals, the pride of place goes to the Royal
Bengal Tiger of the Sunderbans, the largest block of littoral forests
spreading over an area of 6,000 sq. km. Next comes the elephants found
mainly in the forests of the Chittagong Hill Tracts districts.
South Himalayan black bear and the Malayan bear are also seen here.
Six types of deer are found in the hill tracts and the Sunderbans. Of
them the spotted deer, barking deer and sambar are the most familiar.
Clouded leopard, leopard cat, mongoose, jackal and rhesus monkey are
also found.
Among the bovine animals, three species- buffalo, ox and gayal- are
found. There are about 150 species of reptiles of which the sea turtle,
river tortoise, mud turtle, crocodiles, gavial, python, krait and cobra
and common. About 200 species of marine and freshwater fish are also
found. Prawns and lobsters are available in plenty for local consumption
and export.
In the shallow water of the floodplains, ponds and swamps of the
country various hydrophytes and floating ferns grow in abundance. Tall
grasses present a picturesque site near the banks of the rivers and the
marshes.
Around 60% of the Gangetic plain is under rice paddy and jute
cultivation. The village homes are usually concealed by the lush green
foliage of a wide variety of trees, thickets of bamboo and banana
plants. A characteristic feature of the landscape is the presence of a
variety of palm and fruit trees.
The Web
|