Hotels in Dhaka

There are lots of good hotels in Dhaka including five starts, 3 stars and so on. Names and phone numbers for some hotels are given here. Pan Pacific Sonagaon (+8828112011-29), Sheraton Hotel (+8828613391-9), Radisson Water Garden Hotel (+8828754505-8), Hotel Abakash (+8829899290-91), Hotel Purbani International (+8829552229-32), Sundardon Hotel (+8828631402-5), Hotel Razmoni Ishakha (+8828322426-9), Hotel Zakaria Internationl (+8828825003-4), Hotel Sky Link (+8828916440), Hotel Midtown (+8829880959), Hotel Plaza Inn (+8828914966), Hotel La Vinci (+8829113955), Royal Park Residence (+8828815005), The Tropical Inn (+8828813313), Hotel Center Point (+8828814211), BRAC Center Inn (+8829886681-82), Diplomat Residence (+8828817871), Hotel Lake Castle (+8828812812), Holiday Planet (+8828816091), Grand Azad Hotel (+8829550411), White House Hotel (+8828314020), Hotel Ramna (+8829563174-75), Hotel Pacific (+8829567583). Also you will get other standard hotels through the city .

Shalban Bouddha Bihaar, Moynamoti (Tourist Site)

The Shalban Bouddha Bihaar in Moynamoti-Lalmai ridge is an ancient architechture of Buddhist culture during Buddhist civilization (8-12 th century A.D.). Bihaar means monastery in sankskrita. The Shalban Bihaar dates back to the Chandra & Deva dynasties (8-12 th century A.D.). It is situated 10 km far from Comilla town. It lies on a range of small hills which run about 18 km and where more than 50 sites have been unearthed. To put the discovered archaeological findings which include terra cotta plaques, bronze statues, coins, utensils, pottary and many other priceless things, a museum has been established. It is open from sunday to friday, saturday is closed.

The first relic that was copperplate of Ranabonkamalla Harikaladeva was discovered in 1803. Then it was forgotten with time. Then again in 1875, the builders of the old axial road through the hills of Moynamati,accidentaly uncovered the ruins of the bihaar which at that time was thought to be "A small birck fort". It was actually the Buddhist monastery.

The Moynamoti ruins were rediscovered during the Second World War. While setting up an advance camp, the military came across ancient remains at a number of points in the ridge. In the hurried survey that followed, 18 sites were recognized and protected by the government. In more regular and systematic surveys undertaken between 1955 and 1957, when the entire ridge was undisturbed by human occupation, more than 50 sites were located. Most of those sites lie in the northern half of the ridge, now within the Cantonment. Archaeological excavations started in January 1955. In several phases of excavation of the 50 odd sites nine have so far been exposed. Though the excavations have not yet been completed and have been limited in many respects. The Shalban Bihaar is also widely known as Moynamoti Buddha Bihaar according to the name of queen Moynamoti,the beloved wife of King Chandra Gupta.

Kantajee Temple (Tourist Place)

Kantajee Temple,the most ornate among the late medieval Hindu temple of Bangladesh is situated near Dinajpur town. It was built by Maharaja Pran Nath,construction started in 1722 C.E. and ended in 1752 C.E.Every inch of the temple surface is beautifully embellished with exquisite Terrecotta plaques, representing flora, fauna, geometric motifs, mythological scences and an astonishing array of contemporary social scences. The Maharaja's palace with reclies of the past centuries and local museum are both worth a visit.

Beverages in Bangladesh

Tea,locally known as Cha is the most popular hot drink. Tea produced in Bangladesh ranks amogst the best in the world. Coffee is served in most hotels and resturants in cities. Among cold drinks, Lassi, a refreshing yoghurt drink, is a popular summer time treat. Soft drinks of most global brands are available everywhere in the country. Only big hotels and licensed bars serve hard drinks. All bars are closed on Friday.

Mahasthangarh (Tourist Palace)

Situated on the western bank of river Karatoa,18 km of Bogra town, Mahasthangarh is the oldest archaeological sire of Bangladesh. This 3rd century B.C. city is surrounded by several land mounds- Govinda Bhita Temple, Khodai Pathar Mound, Makalir Kunda, Parasuramer Bedi, Jiyat Kunda etc.

Hindus condsider Mahasthangarh a scared place. Every year(mid-April) and once in every 12 years (December) thousands of Hindu devotees take part in the bathing ceremony at Shila Devi's Ghat (Wharf) on the river Karatoa.

Also noteworthy are the shrines of Shah Sultan Bulki Mahisawary and Gokul Medh in the neighbourhood of Mahasthangarh.

National Anthem of Bangladesh

My beloved Bengal
My Bengal of Gold,I love you.
Forever your skies,
Your air set my heart in tune
As if it were a flute.
In spring, O mother mine,
The fragrance from your mango groves
Makes me wild with joy,
Ah, what a thrill!
In autumn, O mother mine,
In the full blossomed paddy fields
I have seen spread all over sweet smiles.
Ah, what a beauty, what shades,
What an affection, and what a tenderness!
What a quilt have you spread
At the feet of banyan trees
And along the banks of rivers!
O mother mine, words from your lips
Are like nectar to my ears.
Ah, what a thrill!
If sadness, O mother mine,
Casts a gloom on your face,

My eyes are filled with tears!

City Corporation Election-2008

The city corporation election will be held on 4th of August,08 in 4 major cities in Bangladesh.The cities are Barisal,Rajshahi,Khulna and Sylhet. All the peoples of those cities have got festive modes for this election. The polling will be started at 8.00 am (Bangladesh Time). The administration has arranged strict law and enforcement in those electoral areas. The campaign is on its highest peak at the eleventh hour of election. The goverment has declared 4th of August as holiday in those areas.The Bangladesh Election Commission has been working for the full election process.