Sylhet Shahi Eidgah

Sylhet Shahi Eidgah is one of the oldest historical structures in Bangladesh . The elaborately crafted Shahi Eidgah was built around 1700 by Mughal Fauzdar Farhad Khan. One has to climb 22 steps to enter the main square of Shahi Eidgah, which is decorated with 15 domes. There are 10 small and big gates around the Eidgah surrounded by the boundary wall. About one and a half lakh Muslims can perform the Eid prayer together at this Eid. There is a mosque on the north side of Shahi Eidgah, known as Shahi Eidgah Mosque. And next to the mosque, there is a forest officer's bungalow on a high hill. Devotees bathe in a large pond in front of the Eidgah. Besides, there is the Sylhet center of Bangladesh Television on the south side and the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA)'s companion Shah Mirarji (RA) and the Sylhet Meteorological Office on the east side.

Today, Shahi Eidgah has emerged as a witness to the flow of various historical events. In 1782 AD, the anti-English revolt started in this Shahi Eidgah under the leadership of two brothers Syed Mohammad Hadi and Syed Mohammad Mehdi. Also, many national and international leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy, Sher Bangla Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque visited here. Because in the past, Shahi Eidgah was chosen for all kinds of large gatherings in Sylhet.

Various transport buses leave for Sylhet from Dhaka's Fakirapool, Gabtali, Mohakhali and Syedabad bus stands. Among them, Ena, Green Line, Saudia, S Alam, Shyamoli, Hanif Enterprise, Unique Service etc. are notable. The AC/Non-AC fare of these transports is Tk 680 to Tk 1500 per seat. Besides, you can also go to Sylhet by taking inter-city Parabat, Jayantika, Kalni or Upaban Express trains from Kamalapur railway station. It takes 7-8 hours to go to Sylhet by train.

From any part of Sylhet city, you can go to Sylhet Shahi Eidgah located in the south square by rickshaw or CNG.

Kadmatoli and Darga Road have many quality residential hotels at low rents Where different types of rooms are available for 400 to 1000 taka. Among the mid-range residential hotels, Hotel Hill Town, Gulshan, Dargah Gate, Surma, Kaikobad etc. are notable.

Pansi, Panch Bhai and Palki restaurants in Silator Zindabazar area offer various local dishes at low cost. Besides, you can easily eat your favorite food from various restaurants in Sylhet city.

Other places of interest in Sylhet district include Hazrat Shahjalal's Shrine, Hazrat Shahparan's Shrine, Keen Bridge, Malnichhara Tea Garden, Jaflong, Bichnakandi, Ratargul, Lovachhra, Lalakhal, Panthumai Jharna, Sangrampunji Jharna, Hakaluki Haor, Bholaganj, Dreamland Park and Zakaria City.

Feature Image: Noorunnabi Tarek