The holy Eid-ul-Azha, one of the greatest religious festivals of Muslim community, was observed in the port city amid much enthusiasm.
During the Eid day and the next few days, the city-streets looked vacant with a few number of people visiting their relatives’ house in the city. But the tourist spots including Foy’s Lake, Chittagong Zoo, Children’s Park and the Patenga sea beach were at the fullest with visitors enjoying Eid holidays with their family members.
A good number of city-dwellers spent their holidays in the tourist spots of the city. The main Eid congregation in the city was held at Jamiatul Falah Mosque maidan at 8:30am on Friday last.
Besides, Eid congregations at all Wards of the Chittagong City Corporation numbering about 250 were also held as per schedule. After all those Eid celebrations, the port city looked somewhat rejuvenated on Sunday and Monday on completion of the three-day holiday that ended only a day ago.
The city-dwellers who went to their village home with a view to observing the Eid with their near and dear ones have started to return to their place of work after observing the holiday. But the turnout was very negligible.
Most of the shopping establishments and shops still remained closed as the employees and shop-owners seemed to be enjoying weeklong holiday since the Eid day early morning.
Since Friday, the port city streets have been wearing a somewhat deserted look as most of the city-dwellers already left for their village home to observe the Eid.
It’s notable that nearly 60 to 70 per cent of the city-dwellers are those settled here from their village homes. Hence, almost all of them go to their village homes specially during the Eid-ul-Fitr. Only the regular dwellers of the port city stayed in the city to observe the festival as part of which huge crowd was noticed at almost all tourist and entertainment spots.
Cox’s Bazar Correspondent adds: The sea beach in the district again got back its original life on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. The visit of a good number of tourists during the Eid, though lately, has changed the entire scenario.
The district has emerged as the prime tourist city in the country for its incenting beauty of nature. The sea beach here is termed as the longest beach in the world.
World’s largest sandy beach is not only famous for worth visiting, but also a lot of places can be dazed by anybody irrespective of age, colour and race.
The visitors are, as if, drown in the beauty, exceptional rarity and uniqueness.
Backdrop of lush green hills rising up on the east and sea stretching out endlessly to the west are the fascinating features of Cox’s Bazar.
Unusual coral boulders scattered lavishly in the beach, fringed with tall palm trees swaying gently in the breeze, and seashells of different colors, shapes and sizes are found along the beach. Moreover, calm lagoon which is wonderful for the little ones to paddle in, getting on the rock and coral boulders with the waves washing up on the shore around is extremely therapeutic experience for the tourists.
Though the presence of tourist families is less than the previous occasion, the beach got back its original character marked by eloquence, murmuring and whisper of male, female and children.
Prior booking in more than 50 per cent of rooms in 400 hotels, motels, guest houses were made in due course.
Incessant rain continued for weeks and worst condition of roads discouraged many interested persons to undertake tour in such hazardous environment. Specially the business community were in more hesitation to plan their tour in the face of risky situation. Despite all these uncertainties, the tourist spots in the sea beach got back life on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
Meanwhile, the facilities of shipping communication has been restored to St. Martin. This has facilitated the tour to this beautiful island marked by natural beauties.
The business community here are very happy to see the rush of tourists. In every year, subject to congenial atmosphere, five ships are engaged in regular trip to carry tourists to this island with effect from September.
This correspondent, during his visit, talked with the owners of hotels, motels and guest houses. They all expressed their happiness, expecting better business.
The Deputy Commissioner Md. Ali Hossain disclosing package of administrative measures and directives informed The Daily Observer that all hotels, motels and guest houses were instructed to hang respective rent rates for the convenience of the arriving guests.
Police Super Shamol Kumar Nath informed about extra surveillance arrangement being carried through extra forces deputed in the best interest of security.
