While tourism is a booming industry in many countries, Bangladesh is lagging behind to harvest the profit from the industry despite having a vast potential to attract millions of tourists in the country round the year.
Though the recent Coronavirus pandemic has thwarted the tourism industries around the globe. Tourism industries in Bangladesh is also paying a toll of the epidemic.
However, with the end of the Corona, it is likely that the tourism industry of the country will continue to flourish again. The Northern region of the country also bears a huge potential in attracting an innumerous tourists if proper steps are taken by the government to introduce the attractive tourist spots of the region to the foreign and local tourists and to make proper residential infrastructure and other facilities at the sites.
By drawing attention of tourists to the ancient relics and places of historical, religious, cultural and educational interests in greater Rajshahi districts, the scenario of the entire region might be changed turning it to a hub of tourism.
A well planned projects brokered by both the government and the non-government enterprises to develop tourists 'spots may draw millions of tourists, devotees and pilgrims from around the world especially from USA, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and China, India and Nepal.
The religious and historical sites discerning to tourist attraction in the Northern region of the country include Paharpur- once the largest Buddhist monastery in Asia, Chhoto Sona Masjid, Bagha Mosque, Kusumba mosque, the Palace of Dighapatiya, temple of King Kansa Narayana- where the Durga Puja was originated, the Kheturidham- where the Vaisnaba religion was originated, Varendra Research Museum- the ancient most museum of the country and the Sadharan Granthagar (now housed in a new building)-the ancient most library of the country.
Famous Sompura Maha Vihara (Bouddha Bihar) in Paharpur was founded by the great Pala emperor, Dharmapala (770-810 AD). Situated upon 21 acres of land, the Bouddha Bihar is known to be the biggest single monastery in Asia. This vast rectangular monastery, enclosed by a massive brick wall comprises 177 cells for the hermits arranged in the regular rows, numerous votive stupas, minor chapels, tanks, well, a multitude of other ancillary buildings inside the courtyard, and the most dominantly, a cruciform, lofty central temple which rises in receding three pyramidal terraces. This immense Vihara is conspicuous for its complicated scheme in the adornment of its basement walls with carved brick cornices, friezes of terracotta plaques and stone sculptures.
Buddists from all across Asia were learnt to throng here to learn Buddists' Philosophy, Astronomy, Astrology, Religious Studies, History and Geography. The richness, variety and exuberance of technically archaic decorations and beauty of the Vihara are unrivalled. Thousands of tourists, specially believers of Buddhist and Jaina faith, students of Buddhist studies would find it a place of great historical and religious interest.
In Tahirpur of Rajshahi, there lies the temple of King Kangsa Narayan, the great king of Gaud. History says, the first-ever Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu communities, was introduced by King Kangsa Narayan in early 16th century.
It is learnt, the first Durga Puja was held in Tahirpur with unprecedented pomp and grandeur for 10 days. According to the historians, Taka 900,000 was spent for holding the Puja and guests from various Asian countries attended the celebration.
Following the observance of Durga Puja in Tahirpur, the Bengali people all over the sub-continent start celebrating the Puja every year. Kangsa Narayan built a magnificent temple at Tahirpur on the occasion of the Puja.
The reminiscent of the temple is still seen at Tahirpur. A paragana (now an Upazila) under Tahirpur has been named as Durgapur to mark the celebration. Thousands of tourists and Hindu devotees from India, Nepal and Bangladesh would visit the famous Durga temple and the place of origin of Durga puja if proper step of introducing the history is propagated among the target population.
The unique Palace of Dighapatiya which is also known as the Uttara Gaonbhaban in Natore bears the testimony of exquisite beauty and grandeur. Only one kilometre away from the Uttara Gonobhaban, there lies the Palace of Rani Bhabani- the remnants of the largest Zamindari in the Indian sub-continent.
The town of 'Banalata Sen'-Natore is also famous for its Kancha Golla (sweet) and gold ornaments. Chalanbeel Museum in Gurudaspur of Natore district is also rich in collection and may draw many tourists.
On the way to Rajshahi from Natore, are the mausoleum of Hazrat Karam Ali Shah(R)at Biraldaha under Puthia upazila, palaces of the zaminder of Puthia,the terracotta ornamented Dole Mandir and Govinda Mandir which are exquisite in design and decoration.
Famous terracotta Bagha mosque is situated at the eastern side of Rajshahi. The natural surroundings of the Bagha mosque and the adjacent dighi (water body) with its thousands of migratory birds will enchant hundreds of visitors.
The panoramic settings of the only Police Academy of the country in Sardah and the Cadet College of Rajshahi are worth visiting though there is a restriction of public visit there.
Rajshahi University (RU) Central Library, the Central mosque in RU designed after the Regent Park Mosque in London, Liberation War Museum, Senate Bahaban, Shabash Bangladesh and the mausoleum of Shahid Professor Shamsuzzoha are worth seeing at the campus of Rajshahi University.
The mausoleums of Hazrat Shah Makhdum (R), and Hazrat Turkhan Shah (R), the Dutch establishments in Borokuthi beside the river Padma founded during the seventeenth century, the internationally acclaimed and the oldest Museum in Bangladesh (founded 1910) Varendra Research Museum, the oldest Library of the country-Rajshahi Sadharan Granthagar (founded 1884, the building demolished recently) and Rajshahi Municipality building, the oldest Municipality (1876, demolished decade ago) and the oldest Water Supply system of the country Rani Hemanta Kumara Water supply works (demolished recently)- were all situated in Rajshahi. Besides, Rajshahi College, Rajshahi Sericulture factory and institutes and the Postal Complex will also beacon tourists.
Towards of the west on the way of Chapainawabganj, there are numerous relics and remnants of both the Muslim rulers, saints and the Hindu kings.
There are Bijoynagar, the forlorn capital of king Bijoy Sen, the Majar (mausoleum) of Hazrat Ali Kuli Beg at Kumarpur, the historical, 800-year old Tamal tree where the Hindu Lord Sree Chaitanya Dev paid a visit and the holi Kheturidham from where the Vaisnaba religion emerged, historical relics and mosques in Sultanganj, Jahanabad, the relics of Gaud (Gour)-the Laxman Sens' ancient capital of Bengal, the Tomb of Bir Shrestha Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir and Historical Sona Masjid and the Sona Masjid land Custom station at the frontier- all are in Rajshahi and in Chapainawabganj districts.
In addition to the famous Buddha Vihara in Paharpur, there are Kusmba mosque in Manda upazila, Dibyak victory tower in Patnitola, Bolihar palaces, Jahangirpur and Dubolhati palaces at Naogaon, Kuthi house of Nobel laureate, poet Rabindranath Tagore at Patisar and the RNS school of Tagore in Raninagar. All these will attract tourists.
A coordinated effort to flourish the tourist industry in the country is needed to attract local and foreign tourists. Specially, the huge potential for tourism has been created in the country after the terrorist activities and insecurity of the tourists in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Since, there is no problem of terrorism and insecurity, the tourists would prefer Bangladesh as their choice. All the mentioned historical and archeological places are well connected with roads, rails and air.
After the introduction direct railway link over the Jamuna Bridge, it has become easy for the tourists to visit the potential tourist spots of the northern region. The price of food stuff is also the cheapest one in this region and people are gentle and hospitable enough to entertain the tourists through all means.