UNB, Bagerhat :
All tourist spots in Bagerhat district including Shat Gombuj Mosque came alive with the footfalls of tourists and visitors during the Eid vacation.
The Eid vacation was celebrated from Friday to Monday. But the holiday mood continued as many extended their vacation. Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of Muslims, was celebrated in Bangladesh on Sunday.
People from all walks of life thronged the area’s heritage sites and enjoyed their scenic beauty.
Children are enjoying most in a number of recreation centres and amusement parks where they had fun on various rides.
The authorities in charge of the recreation sites and amusement parks have added splendid beauty on the occasion of Eid.
During a recent visit to Shat Gombuj Mosque, Hazrat Pir Khanjahan Shrine, Barakpur Sundarbans Resort on Tuesday, this UNB correspondent witnessed the presence of a large number of visitors.
Some were busy taking selfies with their mobile phones to capture moments of joy as memories and some others took to videos.
The law enforcement agencies were also seen on alert to ensure security to the visitors at the places.
Shat Gombuj Mosque, declared as a world heritage site by Unesco, is believed to have been built more than 600 years ago by Khan Jahan Ali.
Although the magnificent architectural site draws visitors throughout the year, the number of tourists increases during Eid vacation. Many people came here to hang out with their families. Tourists expressed satisfaction after visiting the site.
Besides, people were also seen visiting shrines, Khanjel Dighi, Shrine of Mohammad Taher, Shrine of Zindapir, single Gombuj mosque, Pocha dighi, Chunkhola Mosque and Singra Mosque.
Visitors from Dhaka, Khulna, Satkhira, Narail, Gopalganj, Pirojpur and other districts thronged here to visit the historical places in the district.
Besides, the Ayodhya Math, Barakpur Sundarbans Resort, Bagerbazar municipality park, Chulkathi, Chandramahal parks were also abuzz with the footsteps of visitors.
People were also seen passing a memorable moment along the bank of Chitra River.
Authorities concerned with different historical places and parks expected that all the tourist spots will be crowded till the end of the Eid vacation.
Aslam Sheikh, a teacher of capital city’s Dhaka College and Manirul Islam, a trader from Chattogram, said they came to Shat Gombuj Mosque with their families travelling has become easy following the inauguration of Padma Bridge. They marveled at the beauty of the mosque.
Delwar Hossain, a visitor from Khulna, said “In normal days it is so difficult for us to have time for our family. During the Eid vacation, I along with my family have come here to visit the mosque. It will also help my children learn many historical things from the 600-year-old mosque.”
Similar feelings were expressed by Mostafizur Rahman, a college teacher.
Zakir Hossain, manager of Barakpur Sundarbans Resort, hoped to recoup a part of the losses the businesses suffered due to Covid-19 pandemic in past two years.
“Now that the Covid situation is improving we are happy with the arrival of visitors.”
Zayed, a custodian of Bagerhat Museum, attributed the greater arrival of tourists to the newly opened Padma Bridge.
Over 4000 people visited the Shat Gombuj Mosque on the second day of Eid-ul-Azha on Monday, he said.
