Rangamati

Rangamati is the Administrative Headquarter of Rangamati Hill District in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. It is bounded by the Tripura state of India on the north, Bandarban District on the south, Mizoram State of India and Chin State of Myanmar on the east, and Khagrachari and Chittagong Districts on the west. The Rangamati town is located at 22°37'60N 92°12'0E and has an altitude of 14 metres (49 feet) and area about 6116.13 sq km. In the basis of area, Rangamati is the largest district of the country.

It consists of 10 upazilas (Thana), 1 municipality, 9 wards, 35 mahallas, 50 union parishads, 162 mouzas and 1347 villages .The upazilas (Thana) are Baghaichhari, Barkal, Kawkhali, Belai Chari, Kaptai, Jurai Chari, Langadu, Nannerchar, Rajasthali Rangapani and Rangamati sadar. The combination of Hill- artificial lake (created for Kaptai Hydra Electric Power Plant, called catchments area) and with Plain land is wonderful. 1291.5 sq. km is revering, 4824.63 sq.km.is under forest vegetation and the lake area is about 650 sq. km.

Rangamati town is mainly divided into 13 areas. Namely Vedvedi, Collegegate, Rajbari, Newmarket, Banarupa, Kathaltoli, Fishery Ghath, Reserve Bazar, Launch Ghath, Pathor Ghata, Tabalchori, Mazher Basti, Asam Basti. It's such a wonderful travel destination of Bangladesh, known as "Lake City".

From Chittagong a 77 km road amidst green fields and winding hills leads to Rangamati; which is a wonderful repository of scenic splendours with flora and fauna of varied descriptions. The township is located on the western bank of the Kaptai lake. Rangamati is a favourite holiday destination because of its beautiful landscape, scenic beauty, lake, colourful tribes (Chakma, Marma etc), its flora and fauna, tribal museum, hanging bridge, homespun textile products, ivory jewellery and the tribal men and women who fashion them. For tourists, the attractions of Rangamati are numerous. Tribal life, fishing, speed boat cruising, hiking, bathing or merely enjoying nature as it is.

Remarkable Places:
Suspension Bridge: Suspension Bridge(Jhulonto Bridge in Bengali)is the landmark icon of Rangamati. It's a popular tourist spot and a must go destination.

Suspension Bridge

Kaptai Lake : Kaptai lake is a wonderful spot for boating and cruising. Parjatan and private tour operators offer a number of cruises by mechanical boats. One can go to various scenic spots in Shuvalong, Barkal, Longadu, Mainimukh and other areas by boat from Rangamati.

Kaptai Lake

Tribal Museum : The only Tribal Cultural Museum in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region was established at Rangamati town in 1978 and run by the Tribal Cultural Institute. It preserves valuable objects and articles of different tribes depicting their socio-economic, cultural and historical tradition. These include typical tribal dresses, ornaments, arms and ammunitions, coins, statues made of wood, bronze and other metals, musical instruments, ivory products, handicrafts, paintings on tribal life etc.

Tribal Museum in Rangamati

Shuvolong Water Fall: It is located at Barkal thana and is only 5 km distance from Rangamati town. It is become a favorite tourist spot rapidly to ‘natural beauty’ loving people. This spot makes fascinating and curious with a boundless feelings to traveler's. In rainy season, the water falls about 300 ft from top of the hill. Also there are about 8 different water falls around the main spot. The way to Shuvolong Water Fall is very simple. Just you need to hire an engine boat for hour basis or day-long either from Reserve Bazzar boat terminal or form Parjotan ghat or from any other convenient places like Banarupa ghat, Tabal Chari ghat.

Shuvolong Water Fall

Shuvolong Water Fall

Shuvolong Water Fall

Rajban Bihar : One of the most holiest temple for Buddist community and is beautiful site for traveler. The Rajban Bihar are headed by Ven. Sadhana Nanda Mahastabir called "Banabhante".

Rajbana Bihar

Rajbana Biha

Biju:


'Biju' is the three-day long traditional festival of the indigenous communities (Chakma, Marma, Tangchangya, Tripuras) of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). It is observed with three phase as:
1) Phul Biju (1^st day),

Activity of Phul Biju

Phul Biju Activity

2 )  Mul Biju (2^nd Day) and
3) Noa Bajar (3^rd & final Day).

Actually eight ethnic groups out of 11 in CHT (Rangamati, Kagra Chari and Bandar Ban) like Chakma, Marma, Tangchangya, Tripuras, Khiyang, Khumi, Chak and Mro  observed the festival for the last seven days though the 'Biju' festival extends to only three days. The programmes included a cultural function, Sangraine Jal Utsab and traditional sports, such as Ghila Khela, Nadengkhela and Tumorokhela.

Ghila Khela

With the beginning of 1st day, Chakma people cleaning their houses decorate those with flowers, leavers and foliages; take bath in the river to brush off sins and vice and frustration. Young girls and boys releasing flowers in the river water, wish good days for one another with pledge to work for peace and prosperity in the coming year.

The main day of the festival (2^nd Day), an array of foods items, including indigenous various pithas (cakes) and pachan (mixed vegetables curry), local drinks called in Chakma language hangi and joghora were prepared in every house.

The ethnic people also visited each other and had a taste of these delicacies.

On the final phase (3^rd day, Bangla  New Year), the last day of the festival, the indigenous people went to Buddist temples (Chakma, Marma, Tangchangya), where they lit candles, seeking divine blessings.
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