Tourists from home and abroad are drawn by sun rising, sun setting and impressive natural sceneries of Kuakata. It is 18 km length huge sea beach and it has taken place gradually to all class tourists as a dear tourist spot which is full of natural beauties with living tribal people 'Rakhaines'.
Many residential hotels, administrative security, road communication and other facilities were already developed here by govt, non-govt managements to serve and welcome tourists. Tourists cannot stay more than one day due to lack of publicity and no well communication here.
Facts and Figures of Kuakata
150 families on 50 wood boats of Rakhaines community reached Bangladesh by Bay of Bengal sea at night in 225 years ago from Barma (Currently Myanmar) due to racial conflict. They took shelter for living at first Cox's Bazaar, Hatia, Sandip, Rangabali, Moudubi and finally staying Kuakata in 7 days on boats.
This place was in deep forest then when Rakhaines came here. Rakhaines chose the place Ghatla (Kuakata) for living. They divided into some groups and separately started to live by cultivating arable forest and fight with forest beasts.
People of other community started to come here from different places as Rakhaines made it as livable. As a result, circumference of aboriginal Rakhaines had been becoming shorten slowly. Rakhaines have been still living at preferable places of their old generations though they are now lower in number than past.
How It Was Named
Rakhaines faced first to the crisis of drinking water though all things were more or less for them for living. Members of 'Anjali' family found sweet water by digging a well during that time. Then Rakhaines named this place 'Kachai' (place of building luck).
Ghatla was the name of this place as British had a ghat here in the past. But Bangalis named Kuakata for Rakhaines' well. But about the information of Rakhaines' house establishment was known so later.
District Magistrate H Bivarez of greater Bakerganj district wrote in his book 'District of Bakerganj' (first publication London 1876) that a Thurangi Moog applied in written to Revenue Board for building house for 230 families on March 24, 1824. Since then Rakhaines started to live becoming ownership of settlement of their arable lands according to govt calculation.
Kuakata Beach
Naturally built and incomparable beach of Kuakata is unique in this country. Actually, your mind will be bound to say that why did not I see this so beautiful beach in this country before. As if a furnace not sun is rising on the water bed when you will see it standing on Baliari beach. It also seems that all furnace of earth is setting in the sea in the west side at setting time.
Sunrise and Sundown
You have to take advanced preparation to enjoy sun rising. You have to stand just before the casuarinas forest during winter and zero point of sea beach another seasons. But sun rising, setting cannot be enjoyed properly due to thick fog during winter season. It can be realized excellently in another seasons. Tourists gather in crowd in the sea beach to see sun setting in the afternoon after visiting all the spots in the whole day.
Tide & Ebb
You must know when tide and ebb happen in the sea. The scenery of sea changes during tide. Waves fall heavily one by one. Taking a bath with waves in sea beach is really enjoyable. Floating tubes are available by fare if you do not know how to swim. You can down in the water with those. Quite unconvincing. Huge place becomes sea beach with dry as distance as tide water goes. This time is unsuitable and dreadful for bath in sea.
Features of Sea
You have to come here in rainy season to see the original face of Kuakata sea beach. You will wander that sea can be daring. 7/8 high waves fall one after one. Tiny boats catch ilsha fishes by jumping with waves with courage in this time. This sea takes more daring figure when weather roughs.
Gangamati
Gangamati lake and green forest are covered with beautiful beauty between the two sides of zigzag lake which is made by nice hand of nature. After enjoying Gangamati's green forest, buffalos' flock and lake then going something to see huge char of Gangamati.
Kawar Char
It is an another nice spot which going to be made a tourism zone separately of govt.
Fatrar Char
Hundred of visitors come to this forest as an alternative of Sundarban and also a picnic spot which situated in the east side. There are some tourist boats to go to forest.
Lemburchar
Mangrove Lemburchar has naturally been grown up in Kuakata Sea Beach. Andharmanik waterfall scenery will draw all visitors' attention. Fish catching boats come here from deep sea and sell different species of sea fresh fried fishes at Mahipur and Alipur ports.
Eco Park Jhawban
The whole area is eco park and many picnic spots in this Jhawban. You can wander lakes by paddle boats.
Crab Land
Locals called this island Tufan Char but it is officially called it red crab land since 2005 due to presence of red crabs here. The island seems a little island that floats in the sea from nearer island.
Sonar Char
Sonar Char, familiar as second Sundarban and grown up alternatively of Sundarban, is one of the green forests among 30 green forests and situated at east side of Kuakata. Scenery of river, sea, forest and deer attract the tourists.
Shutki Palli
Shutki businessmen earn crore Tk by export different species of dried fish at least 10 countries of world. They prepare drying fish at vast area extensively for customers.
Coconut Garden
Coconut garden is decorated with flower and fruit. Most of the parts of the garden is submerged into sea. This garden is adjoined to the sea. Anyone can visit the garden on foot and use it as picnic spot or parking.
Paira Sea Port
Paira Sea Port has added a new dimension to tourists. Tourists enjoy this more during winter season.
Submarine Cable Landing Station
Second submarine cable landing station, after Cox's Bazaar, has already been got familiarity to tourists as visiting spot. Students of different institutes will run out here to know about information and technology.
Fisheries Port
Fisheries Port is so enjoyable in the rainy season due to having lots of piles of fresh hilsa are caught by trawlers.
Sima Buddhist Temple
Kuakata Mishripara Sima Buddhist Temple is the largest Buddhist Temple in the country. There is a statue of 36 feet high covering the whole room.
Well of Kuakata
You must watch that well by which Kuakata was named. There are two decorated wells in Kuakata. You can enjoy the two old and new wells on foot freely.
Kuakata Shree-Mangal Buddhist Bihar
The beautiful Buddhist Bihar is open for visitors freely most of the time. The statue of this Bihar is made of 8 metals.
Rakhaine Palli
Kuakata is mixed with the history of Rakhaine. At least 12 pallis (areas) are in Kuakata. Rakhaines contributed a great role for Kuakata's development. Beautiful and cordial Rakhaine community have been living here since two years. Their hand made lungi, towel, shirt, cold sheet, weave-made cloths etc. impress anyone.
Shopping
Oyster market will be seen at two sides of road here. Rakhaine sales women sell necklace, ear ring, garland, table lamp, etc. You can write name on oyster by wish.
Rakhaine Women Market
Rakhaine women market is at Buddhist Bihar. Rakhaine women sit at every shops of the market to sell sheet, bed sheet, towel, mafhlar, shirt piece, thami, hankie etc.
Kuakata Museum
Archeology Department preserved Rakhaines' used boat 62-hand long and 16-hand width at Kuakata Museum. Rakhaines came here by boats since 225 years ago. Then they made houses by clearing forest keeping 50 boats there. The boats gone to sand gradually. Among these one big boat have been preserved to the museum.
Ras Mela
3-day-long Ras Mela have been celebrating since 200 years at Kuakata at full moon (Purnima) of Bangla Kartik month during winter. This fair sits on the occasion of sea bath and Ras full moon (Purnima) of Hinduism followers. Lakhs of devotees and visitors come in this fair.
Rakhaine Water Festival
Jolkeli festival or Sangra is celebrated in Baishakh month to welcome new year. Rakhaine young girls and boys celebrate new year by throwing water to each other.
Fanus Festival
Ethnic community Rakhaines celebrate Probarona Festival by flying colorful fanus (Balloons) in the sky at full moon (Purnima) night in Aswin month during winter. Kuakata is 380 km distance from Dhaka. There are many residential and food hotels in Kuakata for tourists.
Md Sajiduzzaman Nayan is Sub-Editor,
The Asian Age.
Latest News