Tourist Attractions in Sylhet, Bangladesh
Sylhet has a number of tourist attractions to keep you busy while you are here. The city has its own airport, international cricket stadium and Zakariya City Eco Park. If you are looking for some historical sights, you may want to check out the Osmani Shishu Udyan and the Hazrat Shah Jalal's conquest of Sylhet.
Hazrat Shah Jalal's conquest of Sylhet
The Muslim saint Hazrat Shah Jalal's conquest of Sylhet is an interesting episode in history. It is considered one of the most significant contributions to the liberation of the Sylhet region of Bangladesh.
Before his conquest, the city of Sylhet was a Hindu kingdom. However, the conquerors were able to convert thousands of Hindus to Islam. In fact, Hazrat Shah Jalal was the first to preach Islam in Sylhet. He is credited with several miracles in his life and death.
After his conquest, Shah Jalal settled in Sylhet. His followers were spread across Dhaka, Mymensingh, Kamrup and Comilla. They were involved in the campaign to overthrow the Sylhet king, Raja Gaur Govinda. During the battle, ten thousand footmen fought for him.
Shah Jalal was buried in the Dargah in Sylhet. His tomb is considered a sacred site for Muslims from around the world. Many people visit this place daily. Another holy site in the Sylhet area is the Shah Jalal Mazar shrine. This is also the largest mosque in the area.
Shah Jalal was an influential figure in the Bengali Sufi movement. He was a contemporary of the famous Persian poet Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi. Throughout his life, he devoted himself to the propagation of the message of Islam. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those who love him.
The conquest of Sylhet is referred to as three battles in the Srihatta Kingdom. These included the defeat of Gaur Govinda, the destruction of his palace and the call to prayer.
Osmani Airport
The Osmani Airport in Sylhet is the third largest airport in Bangladesh. It is located at about 15 kilometers north of the city. International airlines like US Bangla Air and Novo Air fly to this airport on a daily basis.
In addition to international flights, the Sylhet Osmani Airport also serves domestic flights. Several national and private airlines operate domestic flights to Dhaka. Besides, a mail train runs from Dhaka to Sylhet.
The flight schedule at the Osmani Airport is available on the Internet. There are 43 weekly flights to Sylhet. A live flight tracking system provides the latest information on the status of each flight.
Facilities at the Sylhet Osmani airport include an internet service, a gift shop, and prayer room facilities for Muslim passengers. There is also a cargo terminal.
There are a number of hotels near the airport. One hotel is Hotel Hilltown, which is located on Link Road. Another hotel is the Farms Garden Hotel, which has a free shuttle to the airport. Guests can enjoy an in-house restaurant.
An auto rickshaw is also an alternative transportation option. CNG-powered auto rickshaws cost around 1500 to 1600 taka for the whole day. However, rent for a reservable taxi is between 250 and 300 taka.
As for transportation from the airport to the Sylhet city, there are buses that depart from the Gabtali bus terminal. The buses leave at regular intervals.
Osmani Medical College and Hospital
Osmani Medical College and Hospital in Sylhet, Bangladesh is a state-funded medical college affiliated with the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology. It is the largest MBBS program in Bangladesh, and is ranked among the top 50 in the world for its quality. In addition to the MBBS, the hospital also offers other courses in various specializations. The college is recognized by the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council and is accredited with a 5 year MBBS course.
Sylhet is located in the northeastern region of the country. The city is known for its clock tower, or Ali Amjad Clock, which is the largest and oldest clock tower in the nation.
One of the biggest challenges faced by the health care system is the shortage of manpower and a budgetary constraint. The Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital has the distinction of being the only tertiary level government hospital in Sylhet division. However, it is only one of the few health facilities in the area, and hundreds of patients are suffering.
Some of the lesser known challenges include a spate of miscreants who allegedly stabbed two medical interns on Monday. Additionally, the hospital has also had to face allegations of failing to adhere to security measures, including locking up the director for an hour.
A number of international students are unable to secure admission to the coveted MBBS course, due to limited slots available. Consequently, many of them are returning home to their families with no doctors on hand to treat them.
Osmani Shishu Udyan (Mela)
Sylhet was once an important commercial centre. The first recorded mention of it is from the 10th century when the ruler of Bengal, Maharaja Sri Chandradeva, is said to have conquered the area. This period is contested by historians, however.
In 1765, Sylhet came under the control of the East India Company. However, this did not stop the people from wanting to be free. Despite the presence of the British in the region, Sylhetis were not given much priority by the administration before the war.
However, the EIC was cautious of the plans of Burmese imperialists in the late 18th century. They were looking to build a connection to China via northern Bengal. By the end of the nineteenth century, Sylhet had become part of the British Empire.
One of the first administrators in Sylhet was Robert Lindsay. He was a Scottish trader who made a personal fortune in the region. His trade involved limestone and elephants. At the same time, he was also acting as a collector for the EIC.
The report he wrote on his experiences in the region is the first known specific mention of Sylheti in Britain. He described the conditions of agriculture, manufactures and animals.
In his book, Robert Lindsay describes a variety of nifty tidbits about the region. For example, he wrote that there were two religious leaders who revolted against the British in Muharram of 1782.
Zakariya City Eco Park
The Zakariya City Eco Park in Sylhet is a unique travel destination. This place is rich in flora and fauna, with over 550 plant varieties. In addition, it is a socially responsible travel destination.
There are a number of hotels and resorts in the city. Aside from these, there are a few attractions that you should definitely visit. Some of the places to go include the Hazrat Shahpuran (ra) tomb, the Lakkatura Tea Garden, the Hazrat Shahparan Shrine, Bichnakandi and the Malnichhara Tea Garden.
The city has many shops and shopping centres. There are also several restaurants, hotels and apartments that cater to the needs of the burgeoning middle class. You can get discounts on hotel rentals during the off season.
The city is a hotspot for the construction industry. New apartment complexes, shopping malls and restaurants are being built to suit the tastes and requirements of the growing expatriate population.
One of the major attractions in the city is the Excelsior Sylhet hotel & resort. It is situated on the hills of Khadim Nagar, about 20 minutes' drive from Osmani International Airport. It has a 50-room resort, surrounded by fifty thousand trees, offering a peaceful and picturesque location.
Several other popular destinations in the region are the Sonargoan Banqueting Center and the Dreamland Amusement Park. The latter features bumper cars and a musical fountain. Another interesting attraction is the Ratargul Swamp Forest, the only freshwater swamp in Bangladesh.
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium is a popular cricket venue in Bangladesh. Located in the city of Sylhet, it has a capacity of 18,500 spectators. It has been in use since 2007. In the past few years, the stadium has been undergoing some renovations. Some of these improvements include the construction of a second tier, the addition of a Grand Stand, and the refurbishment of the toilet facilities.
The stadium is also home to the Sylhet Division Cricket Team. Besides hosting international matches, the stadium is also used by the Sylhet Sixers. Among the teams that have played here are Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and India.
When it comes to naming the stadium's most noteworthy achievements, it is difficult to pick out one single accolade. However, there are a few that stand out from the rest. This list is not meant to be a definitive guide to the venue, but rather, a shortlist of the best.
The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium has been host to the country's first ever international match, as well as nine matches of the Women's Asia Cup. There are two more matches scheduled for the near future. With a host of talented players to choose from, the national team will have to punch above its weight to win this one.
Although the stadium does not have the best of everything, it does have some nice touches. First, it has a tri-vision light screen and an electric scoreboard. Second, it has an impressive 5000 seat second tier.