Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Betila House: The Forgotten Palace of Manikganj
[post_id] => 17193
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/betila-house/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Betila-House-2-300x163.jpg
[post_content] =>
The Betila (বেতিলা) House in Manikganj was built about a century ago by Jyoti Babu (জ্যোতি বাবু) and Satya Babu (সত্য বাবু), a couple of affluent merchants involved in the trade of Jute, the golden fibre of Bangladesh. This palatial house is located in a remote area named Betila which is within the parameters of the modern day Manikganj proper. Explorers/travelers searching for heritage sites in Manikganj over the internet may come across several links of the famous Baliati Zamindar’s Palace but never find any links on Betila. This is primarily because the Betila House was not a Zamindar’s (Land Owner) palace, and secondly since it is located in such a remote area, people hardly know about it. Rich people of those era are known to build such palatial houses in remote areas and live lavish lives, even though they were not 'Zamindars' or royalty.
For someone looking for heritage sites, the Betila Mitra Union of Manikganj would be a fabulous one to come across. It’s situated in semi rural setting (being not too distant from urban areas) and doesn't seem particularly unique on first impression but once you begin to explore it's culture and heritage, beautiful places like the Betila House amongst several others begin to surface. The seemingly tame Betila Canal runs across the area, connecting two major rivers Kaliganga (কালিগঙ্গা) and Dhaleshwari (ধলেশ্বরী) but like most waterways of Bangladesh, one can anticipate its ferocity in full monsoon season when rising water levels which is also evident in the way it has eroded both its banks, specially at the lone bridge that was constructed some time back.
On both the banks one will come across a series of heritage buildings, the pinnacle being on the eastern bank, the Betila Palatial house surrounded by rich foliage. It’s a combined structure of two separate buildings both of which are two-storied, standing almost intact, side by side and with an expansive open field before them.
)
[1] => Array
(
[name] => {:en}Nirmai Shibbari{:}{:bn}নির্মাই শিববাড়ি{:}
[post_id] => 6393
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/nirmai-shibbari/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/offroadbangladeshlogo2-300x178.png
[post_content] => {:en}
Nirmai Shibbari was built nearly 500 years ago. Many believe that there were Kuki tribes in this area. The Kuki government frequently did not obey the command of the ruling Tripura government. For controlling mutineers, the King of Tripura sent a group of troops. King’s son led the battle. The Tripura King won the battle but lost his son in law.
{:}{:bn}নির্মাই শিববাড়ি মৌলভীবাজার জেলার শ্রীমঙ্গল উপজেলায় অবস্থিত। এই শিববাড়িটি প্রায় পাঁচশত বছর পূর্বে নির্মাণ করা হয়। অনেকেই বিশ্বাস করেন একসময় এখানে কুকি সম্প্রদায়ের মানুষজন বসবাস করত। কুকিরা তৎকালীন শাসক ত্রিপুরা সরকারের নির্দেশ মেনে চলত না। কুকিদের নিয়ন্ত্রনের জন্য ত্রিপুরার রাজা তাঁর পুত্রের নেতৃত্বে এখানে সেনাদল পাঠিয়েছিল। পরবর্তী সময়ে সংঘটিত যুদ্ধে ত্রিপুরার সেনাদল জয়ী হলেও সেই যুদ্ধে ত্রিপুরার রাজা তাঁর পুত্রকে হারান।{:}
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => Bhitargarh
[post_id] => 2997
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/bhitar-garh/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Bhitargarh_2010_02_03_3_6_b1-300x207.jpg
[post_content] =>
Bhitargarh Fort was formed a part of the chain of early medieval mud-forts erected mostly by the Muslim rulers at different times to defend their territory against the incursion of their northern Hindu neighbors. The territory east of the Karatoya River was for some time a part of the Ahom kingdom. In the 15th century, this area was included in the Tibeto-Barman Khen dynasty's territory and served as a sort of buffer state between Assam and the Muslim Kingdom of Bengal.
"The existence of fifteen garhs (fortifications) has hitherto been traced of which the most noted are Bhitar Garh, Hosain Garh, Mir Garh, Rajan Garh and Deven Garh. Panchagram is named after these five garhs. Amongst these fortification Bhitargarh is still vigilant archeological site. Total Garh is bounded by both manmade and natural canal and fort like wall."-Banglapedia.
Bhitargarh fort city, established in the sixth or seventh century, had a sovereign administration. Built on important trade routes, the fort city had trade links with Tibet, Bhutan, and China as well as with West Bengal, Bihar, Sikkim and Punhdrabardhan of India.
The entire fort city is bordered by two rectangular wall- inner and outer wall or fortifications. There are two villages inside the wall- Bhitargarh and Maharajar Hat, with village market (Bhitargarh bazar). Most interesting feature is the Maharajar Dighi is a large pond, the most attractive place inside the fortification. It is really beautiful during rain. Probably the Maharaja (king) of Bhitargarh, dug the canal for supplying sweet water inside the fort. The pond might be connected by drainage network.
The fortification is now the most important archeological site of the country. The place comes to spot light after a recent excavation program, which has been uncovered some 200 archeological site inside the fort city.
)
[3] => Array
(
[name] => {:en}Madhnagar Rath Bari{:}{:bn}মাধনগর রথ বাড়ী{:}
[post_id] => 17704
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/madhnagar-rath-bari/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Madhabnagar-Rath-Bari-225x300.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
Madhnagar Rath Bari (মাধনগর রথবাড়ী) is the largest and oldest Rath Bari of this subcontinent. In 1867, the famous Zamindar Zamini Sundori Bosak of Dilalpur area in Pabna, established this Rath (Chariot in English). The owner of the Rath was the then Zamindar of Natore, Shoilobala (শৈলবালা) and Kalidashi (কালীদাসী). Once upon a time, each year according to the lunar, in the Bengali month of Ashar (আষাঢ়), people celebrated Chariot fare and rituals here. The Zamindars of Birakutsa (বীরকুৎসা) and Goyalkandi (গোয়ালকান্দি) used to send their elephants to take part and work in this Chariot. The landlord Zamini Sundori of Dilalpur in Pabna used to send all the expenses.
Since 1867 until 1947, she carried all the costs. After the partition, it had been dysfunctional. From the year 2012, the Chariot has been started again by the local community, and started rituals again. There are currently 15 acres of land in the name of the Chariot. Pintu Odhikari is responsible for maintaining the whole rituals and maintenances of Rath Bari. There is a Mandir just near to the Rath Bari where the locals perform their rituals.
{:}{:bn}
মাধনগর রথ বাড়ী উপমহাদেশের বৃহৎ ও প্রাচীনতম। ১৮৬৭ সালে পাবনার দিলালপুরের জমিদার যামিনী সুন্দরী বসাক এই রথটি প্রতিষ্ঠা করেছেন। রথের মালিকানায় ছিলেন নাটোরের জমিদার শৈলবালা ও কালিদাসী। প্রতি বছর আষাঢ় মাসের তিথি অনুসারে এখানে মাস ব্যাপী রথের মেলা ও পুঁজা অর্চনা হত। বীরকুৎসা ও গোয়ালকান্দির জমিদারের হাতি এসে রথ যাত্রায় অংশ নিত এবং রথ টানার কাজ করতো। এখানকার যাবতীয় খরচ পাবনার দিলালপুরের জমিদার যামিনী সুন্দরী স্টেট থেকে আসতো।
১৮৬৭ সাল থেকে ১৯৪৭ সাল পর্যন্ত যামিনী সুন্দরী বসাক এই ব্যায় ভার বহন করেছেন। দেশ বিভাগের পর আর কোন অনুষ্ঠান হয়নি। ২০১২ সাল থেকে স্থানীয় হিন্দু-মুসলিম মিলে আবারও রথের মেলা ও হিন্দু সম্প্রদায়ের পূঁজা অর্চনা শুরু হয়। রথের নামে বর্তমানে ১৫ বিঘা জমি আছে। রথটি রক্ষণাবেক্ষন, পূঁজা অর্চনা করছেন পিন্টু অধিকারী।
{:}
)
)
