Dhanbari
A place of pristine beauty
by Abu Md Masani
Dhanbari in Tangail, which is blessed with beautiful nature as well as many heritage sites, has the prospect of becoming a popular tourist spot.
The historic Nawab Manzil, an ancient mosque, a century-old high school, a large pond, rubber plantations and ethnic Garo villages can attract tourists from home and abroad to the upazila.
If anyone once visits Dhanbari, that person will want to return there again and again for sure. But due to lack of infrastructure and facilities, this serene place fails to attract tourists or nature lovers.
Its distance from the capital city is around 150 kilometres, or about a three-hour drive on the highway.
As you arrive at Elenga in Tangail, turn right towards the famous Modhupur forest. At Modhupur, turn left to get to Dhanbari, which is only 11 km from this point.
How to get there
To get to Dhanbari directly, tourists or visitors must take a bus or a car as there is no alternative transport.
Direct bus service Binimoy leaves from Mohakhali bus station in Dhaka for Dhanbari every 15 minutes. One-way fare from Mohakhali to Dhanbari is only Tk 200.
One can also go via Jamalpur on a Sharishabari-bound bus from Mohakhali. But it is better to rent a microbus or take a private car to make journey more comfortable. The railway station from Dhanbari is about 32kms away at Jamalpur town, where buses, cars and microbuses are available for hire.
Tourists on a day trip from Dhaka can visit all the sites of interest and come back by night, and that is preferable as there are no good hotels at Dhanbari. The only exception is the Nawab Ali Hasan Ali Royal Resort, named after two famous local personalities, Nawab Bahadur Syed Nawab Ali Choudhry and his son Nawabzada Syed Hasan Ali Choudhury.
On the other hand, there are many nice restaurants at Dhanbari. One should not forget to bring home some famous danadar (sweets) of Dhanbari.
Places to visit
Nawab Manzil Complex
The Palace of the Nawab is a restricted area, and one needs a gate pass to go inside. Viewing the Manzil from the outside and strolling through the gardens is open for all. It is a beautiful 100-year old mansion, with ornate domes, minarets and arches with the most intricate masonry work.
The sprawling complex, with well maintained gardens and an artificial lake, is a delight for tourists. Cameras and videos are allowed in the complex for recording memorable moments with family and friends. A raised garden beside the Manzil is a natural stage for holding special events.
Special lighting in the evening creates an extraordinary atmosphere, turning the Manzil into a tranquil fairyland.
The Nawab Manzil has been visited by dignitaries since the British colonial days. VIPs, including royalty, heads of state and high government officials from the Subcontinent have been guests of honour of the Dhanbari nawab estate. Some classical furniture used by the British Viceroy and the Nawab Bahadur of Dhanbari is preserved inside.
The huge palace is over 100-years old, with Mughal-style domes and arches. This mansion was used as the office of the Nawab, with a number of rooms for officers and staff. There were also rooms for special guests, a library, a record room, a strong-room with a vault, a store room, a huge hall and meeting rooms. The entire building has been renovated and rooms redesigned to accommodate modern facilities for the comfort of visitors.
There is a 200-year-old villa inside the complex, with an enchanting garden which is very attractive for someone looking for a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. The Nawabs son, Hasan Ali Choudhury, who became the youngest member of the Bengal Legislative Assembly during British period, was born in this house.
A quaint little cottage, surrounded by trees and gardens, is a tranquil place to relax. A swim in the dighi (large pond) can be a wonderful experience.
The original Nawab mosque is around 700 years old. An extension to the original structure was built over 100 years ago. The beautiful mosaic and intricate china work on the floor, domes, minarets and prayer areas are seldom seen in other mosques. Under one of the domes is the Nawabs tomb, where the Holy Quran is recited round the clock without any break. Thousands of people visit the mosque everyday.
Modhupur National Park
The famous Modhupur forest is not far from Dhanbari. This is a reserve forest area with great scenic beauty. A rubber plantation, a rubber processing factory and pineapple gardens can be visited. Garo people live in the vicinity. You can visit the area by rickshaw or car.
The Forest Development Corporation started a rubber plantation on an experimental basis in Modhupur and it became a success. At present, there are three large rubber estates with a processing plant situated nearby. Tourists are welcome to visit the rubber gardens and see for themselves the extraction of latex, which is later processed into rubber.
Tribal Villages
The ethnic Garo people live in cluster villages in Modhupur. Tourists can visit these villages, which are hardly 15 minutes drive from the forest. The Garo people have a very distinctive and rich culture which can be seen in their traditional attire, songs and dances.
Photos: Masani and Abu Md Muqtadir
