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Current trends: Riverside reveries

City folk need breathing space both literally and figuratively. It is a stifling situation with the political hustle and the day-to-day hassles. People want to breathe a sigh of relief but relief seems to be hard to find.

When someone mentions taking a trip to take a break it is like a siren call for the distressed. But in this jam-packed city of Dhaka there is scarce supply of open spaces where people can go and spend a day in leisure luxuriating in nature's beauty. It's time to stop limiting your options to the confines of the city and take a step outside to find that refreshing break.

Jamuna
Our beloved Jamuna River was the source of romance for the Mughal emperor Shahjahan. His wife lived near its lush and fertile banks. The raging river that coursed through the country now exists as a caricature of its former self. The riverbed is slowly drying up with sand dunes spouting up all over its face like dirty pimples. Despite that, it still has an inherent beauty that is still unmarred by humans. It is also the site for the 11th longest bridge in the world. As a result vehicular transportation has increased so much that it has gradually developed into a tourist spot. The sloping banks on the two sides of the bridge offer a scenic respite to many visitors each day.

From there, you cross into the village of Sirajganj that is populated mostly by weavers. Families here consist of entire households working in the same profession including children. Many of them follow the classical tradition of treating visitors like respected guests. It is also good for their business as they primarily make very colorful towels, lungis and other hand-made garments.

The 4-5 hour trip requires setting off from Dhaka very early in the morning. Taking along lunch and other snacks is a must although food call be found there at the spot as many restaurants have sprouted due to the inflow of tourists.

It's the return trip that is difficult, as often you might simply not want to leave. Watching the sunset from the riverbank or from the bridge is a mesmerising moment where the creator shows his magic touch by creating a colourful masterpiece on the horizon.

Meghna
A much closer location to spend the whole day is along the banks of the Meghna River. Take the Dhaka-Comilla road, cross the Meghna Bridge and follow straight onto Daudkandi. Both sides of the bridge are surrounded by a village that looks exceptionally beautiful in this winter season. Mustard fields create of sea of wafting yellow waves as far as the eye can see. That meets in a blue horizon with interspersed flecks of greenery.

It's a colour combination straight out of a book. You can find many places among those narrow paths to have a picnic. Alternatively you could simply visit Comilla town as it is the birthplace of khadi products. It is a great opportunity to revel in the heritage of the weavers.

Padma
The Padma is a big and powerful river. The wind blows fiercely while the waves lap the shores with a pleasing sound. The contrasting effect continues to offer breathtaking sights that are beautiful as well as a little unnerving. Waves hit the banks often making them crumble into the water. Each wave breaks away another portion of another village.

There is a ferry at the end of the road to Munshiganj called Maowa Ghaat. It is an old pier and when standing on the edge it is difficult to see little else other than the wide expanse of the river. The watery surface is broken by the occasional ferry and motorboat transporting travelers residing on either side of the river. It is a great place to buy fish as fishermen flock to sell their wares on the shores. But aside that, this place serves as a great spot for those who love to see wide-open nature at its most pristine.

By Sultana Yasmin
Translated by Ehsanur Raza Ronny
Photo: Amirul Rajiv