With the arrival of autumn, the bordering Tentulia upazila of Panchagarh has transformed into a scenic paradise adorned with blooming Kashful, also known as Kans grass.
Adorning riverbanks and open fields, these feathery blooms signal the arrival of the season, embodying beauty, serenity and the poetic charm deeply rooted in Bengali culture.
For many, kashful is not just a sign of autumn; it’s a symbol of peace, purity and the aesthetic spirit of Bengal. Its soft, plume-like flowers dance in the breeze, creating a natural harmony that captivates people of all ages.
Though a type of wild grass, kashful holds a unique cultural and emotional value in the hearts of Bengalis.
In the Bengali calendar, autumn spans the months of Bhadra and Ashwin, following the relentless rains of monsoon and preceding the dry chill of Hemonto (late autumn).
During this time, on a sunny day, white cotton-like clouds float in the blue sky. The cool, gentle breeze makes nature even more enjoyable.
Poets and writers often hail autumn as the "queen of seasons," celebrating its unmatched elegance.
The Mahananda River is flowing from the mountains of Sikkim in India and Nepal. The river enters Bangladesh through Phulbari, near the village of Siliguri city in India.
The river flows along the India-Bangladesh border for about 20 kilometers and then re-enters India. Due to this long flow of 20 kilometers, the Mahananda has divided India and Bangladesh as a trans-boundary river.
Later, the Mahananda River flows through India and joins the Padma at Chapainawabganj in Rajshahi.
The river stretching 20 kilometers in Tentulia Old Bazar, is spreading its whiteness on the sandy plains in some places.
This seasonal weather pattern paints nature in pure white. With the change of seasons, the abundance of white is seen in autumn.
At this time, miles upon miles of Kashfuls swayed in the wind, their feathers puffed out like rows of white bucks on the banks of the Mahananda River in Tentulia.
As autumn approaches, crowds of nature-loving young people gather in various areas of Tentulia, drawn by the beauty of the Kashful flowers.
When one goes to the area along the Mahananda River, which is a transboundary river in Tentulia, he or she can see that there are many Kashphul flowers blooming on the char for several kilometers. Bunches of Kashphul flowers, emerging from the chest of long green leaves, are raising their heads.
Although the amount of Kashful grass is less on the Bangladesh side of the river and more on the Indian side, young and old, eager to travel, flock from different parts of Panchagarh district every day to touch this Kashful grass.
Many are taking pictures on their mobile phones. Some are picking two or four Kashphuls and giving them to their loved ones.
From a distance, it looks like a flock of white buck feathers are swaying in the cool breeze. Locals say that Kashphuls start blooming at the end of the month of Bhadra. At this time, the entire area turns white. Kashphuls reign until the month of Kartik. Nature lovers come to enjoy the unique beauty of Kashphuls and the golden sun in the northern sky, the Himalayan Mountains, the rock city of India, Darjeeling and the Kanjanjungha mountain peaks with their bare eyes.
Throughout the autumn, hundreds of tourists flock here every day to enjoy some moments in nature.
Writer and playwright MS Ripon, Judge Court lawyer Mamun, Traffic Inspector Faruk and businessman Rana, who came to see Kashful and Kanjanjungha on the banks of Mahananda Dakbungalo last Thursday afternoon, said they came to touch the whiteness of Kashful in the sand meadow on the banks of Mahananda. The sand meadow on the other side of the river has more Kashful, which touches the heart. In reality, it seems that the banks of Mahananda are like a fair of white fairies in nature.
Though it looks like regular grass, the leaves are quite sharp. But the flowers; white as snow, look like peacock feathers. Once, it was widely used in village life for practical purposes. We hardly see that anymore, said a visitor.
Kashful not only enhances autumn’s beauty but also has practical uses after it withers. The dried plumes are used for making brooms and other household items. This flower truly makes autumn unique; like a living painting on nature’s canvas. It whispers to us, said locals.
As modern development continues to shrink natural habitats, these fleeting seasonal displays become all the more precious. Kashful is more than just a flower; it’s a gentle reminder of nature’s rhythm and beauty in the heart of Bangladesh’s ever-changing seasons.
