Sylhet (Bangladesh)

Must see & do

Places of worship & mazars (shrine)

Shah Jalal Dargah Sharif (Mazar): Contains the tomb of Hazrat Shah Jalal ad-Din al-Mujarrad - a Yemeni sufi who came to Sylhet with 360 followers, including his baghna (nephew) Shah Poran, to preach Islam and help the Muslims. His shrine is famous throughout Bangladesh with hundreds of devotees visiting daily. He was a lifelong bachelor who settled in Choukidhiki area. Bangladesh's main airport Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka is named in honour of him. It's commonly believed that it is his blessing why 95% of UK Londonis come from Sylhet bibhag.

Shahjalal Mazar's pond:Legend has it that Hazrat Shahjalal (Rahimullah) transfomed the witchcraft followers and family members of Raja Gaur Govind into catfishes which are still alive in the pond of the mazar. Visitors to the shrine throw small fish for the catfish to eat.

Shah Poran Mazar: Baghna (nephew) of Shah Jalal (RA) established this khanqah (spiritual retreat) in Khadim Nagar, on the outskirt of Sylhet city centre. Has a grand masjid next to the shrine of Shah Poran which can hold 1,500 people. 'Urs', or spritiual festival, takes place every year in Shah Jalal and Shah Poran Mazars and attracts thousands of people from all over the country.

Shahi Eidgah: Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb built this Eidgah (ground where Eid prayers are offered) during the 17th century. It can accomodate 100,000 people at the same time during Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha prayers. There are 10 gates of various sizes and a pond within the Eidgah for making wudu. There are two sections - one 30 feet high from the ground on a hill with 22 wide stairs leading to it.

Historical places

Gaur Govind fort: Though fort is heavily ruined, it remains a testimony to the resistance put up by the brave soldiers of Hindu raja Gaur Govinda against Muslim sufi Shah Jalal and his 360 disciples. It's a tourist hot spot and is located in the busy Chowatta area in the heart of Sylhet.

Hasan Market: The oldest market in Sylhet. Maze of traditional stalls selling basic goods and duplicate international brand items such as Armani, Versace, Louis Vitton, and D&G. Next to Modhuban Market and Sylhet Court Complex. Opposite it is the famous Karim Ullah shopping complex jam-packed with three floors of mobile shops.

Museum of Rajas (aka Hason Raja Museum): Dedicated to folk poet and zamindar Hason Raja and his descendents. Located near Bondhor area and was opened in 2006 with thousands of people playing the 'Ek tara' instrument. It's maintained by the Educationist Dewan Talibur Raja Trust - named after Hason Raja's grandson Dewan Hason Raja.

Natural beauty

Lakortola (Sylhet) Tea Garden: Sylhet has over 150 tea gardens. During the 18th century British Rule many Englishmen made their fortune in tea production. The plantations were started by the British and the managers still live in white timber homes as they did in those days. Currently Ragib Ali owns the Sylhet Tea Company which owns a large number of these plantation. Employs nearly 300,000 workers - 75% are women as they usually do a better job than men in plucking tea leaves and also get less paid. Sreemangal (approx 45 miles south of Sylhet) is known as the tea capital of Bangladesh.

Sylhet landmarks

Sylhet Osmani International Airport: Bangladesh 3^rd international airport. Originally called "Sylhet Civil Airport" but was re-named after General M A G Osmani. Became an international airport on 3 November 2002 after lobbying by UK Londonis who form the vast majority of the passengers. First international flight was Biman flight BG020 from Kuwait via Abu Dhabi which landed at 10:05 with 215 passengers en-route to Dhaka. The airport is operated by Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).

Kean Bridge: Built in 1936 and named after Michael Kean, the English Governor, this 350m long bridge helps commuters cross the Surma Nodi. It is made of iron and steel and cost around 56 lakh taka (approx £56,000).

Shahjalal University of Science & Technology (or SUST):

Sylhet Circuit House: An exclusive resort on the banks of the Surma Nodi and next to the Kean Bridge. Famous politicans, celebrities and people of influence come and stay here. Accommodation is open to general public too.

MAG Osmani Stadium (aka Sylhet Stadium): Built in 1965, it is mainly used for cricket and football matches. It has a capacity of 15,000. Home to Sylhet's largest cricket team, 'Sylhet Division'.

Chowatta Point: The heart of Sylhet city - this famous cross junction connects every major areas. It leads to Amberkhana in the north (uttor), Zindabazaar and Bondhor to the south (dokkin), Tilagarh in the east (purbo), and Baghbari in the west (poschim).

Sylhet Kendrio Karaghar (Central Jail): Built in 1889. Covers 16 acres of land. Capacity to contain 1,210 prisoners. Has 23 wards and 26 cells, including seven for mentally disabled prisoners. Since its formation, no major step has been taken to repair the jail.

HSBC Bank in Sylhet: Global bank based in Sylhet, near Chowatta Point. Started its service in 2006 with 6,000 customers, and opened a Customer Service Center in 2008 in the Uposhohar area. Other international banks in Sylhet include Standard Chartered.

Jalalabad Gas Bhaban (left) opposite Garden Inn resort: Gas station powering Sylhet city and famous hotel-come-apartment.

Wired Sylhet: Organised chaos is the only way to describe it!

Sylhet parks & stadiums

Dreamland Amusement Park: Based in Hilalpur (6 miles southeast of Sylhet), this fun park contains bumper cars, musical fountain, 'sky train', motorbike stunts, and tidal pools amongst its many attractions.

Zakariya City Eco Park: Eco-friendly park with hill top view of Sylhet. Contains multiple restaurant and Parjatan Hotel.

Osmani Shishu Udyan (Mela): Funfair park named after General Osmani. Next to Sylhet Central Jail.

Others:

MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital (aka Sylhet Hospital): Main hospital of Sylhet re-named in 1986 from 'Sylhet Medical College' to present name as tribute to General Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani, Commander-in-Chief of Bangladesh Army in Mukhtijuddho. Hospital commonly referred to as 'Osmani Hospital'. College provides 5 year MBBS degrees and admits approximately 175 undergraduate every year. Affiliated with Shahjalal University of Science and Technology under the School of Medical Sciences. Extends over an areas of 206,355 sq metre divided into new site and old site.

Ragib-Rabeya Hospital: Private medical college established in 1995. Located at Pathantula, Sunamgonj Road, Sylhet. Named after founder businessman Ragib Ali and wife Rabeya Khatun Chowdhury. Offers MBBS and post graduate degrees on various subjects. Affiliated with Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.

Al-Hamra Shopping City:

Sonargoan Banqueting Centre: One of many banqueting halls hosting events such as weddings. This one has a helipad on the top for those keen to arrive in style.