Bangladesh is famous for its colorful festivals, flavorful cuisine with strong spices, and incredible nature, including the largest mangrove forest in the world – Sundarbans National Park.
Bangladesh is famous for its colorful festivals, flavorful cuisine with strong spices, and incredible nature, including the largest mangrove forest in the world – Sundarbans National Park.
Bangladesh is a country that sits at the tip of southern Asia. On the west side of the country is the Bangladesh-India border, one of the longest land borders in the world. This explains the similarity in cultures and values between the two countries. Furthermore, the Bay of Bengal is located in its south, where many beach resorts in the country can be found.
What Is Bangladesh Famous For?
Bangladesh is famous for its vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and history. One of the most well-known cultural events in Bangladesh is the Pohela Boishakh festival which takes place at the beginning of the Bengali calendar year.
Bangladesh is also known for its rivers, housing the world’s largest delta river, the Ganges Delta. Along it on the Padma River are enchanting river cruises, epic bridges, and beautiful marine life. That said, you can find some great seafood cuisine here, including the Hilsa fish which is common in many recipes.
History, Culture, And Traditions Bangladesh Is Known For
Pohela Boishakh
Pohela Boishakh, or Bengali New Year, is one of the festivals Bangladesh is famous for. It’s celebrated on April 14th on the Gregorian calendar, which is the beginning of the Bengali calendar.
On this day, families welcome in new beginnings by decorating their houses, cleaning, and wearing new clothes. The most significant festivity is where participants don vibrant traditional costumes and dance to loud music.
Globally, in countries such as England, parades like the Boishakhi Mela take place to commemorate the festival.
Bangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War took place in March 1979 and lasted almost 9 months. The war was fought between India and Pakistan which ultimately resulted in the Independence of Bangladesh.
Predominantly, the driving factor of the conflict was tension between West and East Pakistan, exacerbated by the elections. West Pakistan also sparked the Bangladesh Genocide. After countless deaths, the independent nation of Bangladesh was formed, and this bittersweet tragedy is remembered every year.
Shamanism
Shamanism is a popular practice whereby individuals can contact the spiritual world for help and healing. Whilst Bangladesh is famous for its Islamic beliefs, the two are often used synchronously.
A shaman is a practitioner who contacts the spiritual realm, and is termed an ‘ohja’. As a result, they can use ancient traditions to claim healing powers. These are believed to cleanse the soul, banish negative energies and relieve pain.
Kabaddi
A huge part of Bengali culture is centered around Kabaddi. This is a team sport made up of seven members that India, Iran, and Bangladesh are famous for dominating.
The object of the game is for members to run into the enemy court and touch as many opponents as possible without being caught. However, if the member is tackled before reaching the midline, they score no points.
Kabadi is an official sport in the Asian Games and has its league known as the Kabaddi World Cup.
Cities And Travel Destinations Bangladesh Is Known For
Khulna
Khulna is a wildlife paradise. It’s the home of the mangrove forest that Bangladesh is famous for, known as the Sundarbans. This is where most of the Bengal tiger population is found, as well as countless species of birds and plants.
In addition, Khulna is located in the Bagerhat District. This is the religious town where most mosques are found. Some impressive structures here include the Sixty Dome Mosque, Singair Masjid, and Chunakhola Mosque.
Sylhet
Sylhet is found in North-East Bangladesh and sits on the Surma River. It’s one of the oldest cities in the country and has many historical landmarks. Sylhet is also where the Bakarkhani was first made: a thick, sweet flatbread.
The most interesting religious landmark in Sylhet is the Shah Jalal Dargah. This is the shrine of a prominent saint in Islam, who is highly revered. Therefore, the attraction is a major pilgrimage site.
Dhaka
What is Bangladesh famous for, if not its capital city Dhaka?
It’s the most populated city in Bangladesh, which attributes to its chaotic atmosphere. Here you can expect to see rickshaws, street foods, and mosques at every corner. There is no limit to how many attractions are found in Dhaka, which is why the city is still one to check out despite the chaos.
Amongst the most famous places and Bangladeshi landmarks to explore here are Ahsan Manzil, Lalbagh Fort, and Shahid Minar.
Cox’s Bazar Beach
Cox’s Bazar is a town on the South-East coast, in the Chittagong Division. It’s home to one of the most beautiful landmarks that Bangladesh is famous for, Cox’s Bazar Beach. This is the longest natural uninterrupted sea beach in the entirety of Asia, spanning 120 kilometers!
Because of its location, the white sandy beach is remarkably windy. This makes it perfect for surfing. Additionally, there is a variety of fish species that can be discovered whilst scuba diving.
Landmarks And Architecture Bangladesh Is Known For
Ahsan Manzil
The Ahsan Manzil is a 19th-century palace. It was once used as the residential building of the prominent Nawab family and now serves as a museum.
The colossal museum can be found in Dhaka. It was built in India-Saracenic reform architecture, and erected on a raised platform. Arguably the most beautiful feature is the dome, which stands in the middle of the structure facing the cascading staircase.
Lalbagh Fort
The Lalbagh Fort is a huge complex in Dhaka, overlooking the Buriganga River. It consists of several individual landmarks that Bangladesh is famous for.
Originally, the structure was built as the residence of the Mughal governor. This includes the tomb of Pari Bibi, The Mughal Mosque, and the house of the Mughal governor. Many of the buildings within the complex are painted with a characteristic red-pink tone, which symbolizes the Mughal period.
Sundarbans National Park
A fun fact about Bangladesh is that it is home to the largest mangrove forest in the world! The Sundarbans Reserve Forest is a natural paradise that is rich in biodiversity.
Located within the forest, this National Park features an interesting array of wildlife such as monitor lizards and estuarine crocodiles. In addition, the park has the highest population of Bengal Tigers which are already considered endangered species.
The reserve is a brilliant landmark for families to explore and learn more about Bangladesh’s natural landscape.
Shahid Minar
The Shahid Minar is a significant monument in Dhaka. It was first built in 1952 to commemorate those that died in the Bengali Language Movement. It is in no small credit to the five brave activists that Bengali is a recognized and official language today.
The structure itself was dismantled by the police force and later rebuilt. As it currently stands, there are several looming columns in front of a red semi-circular base. The monument features a mother and her children.
Sixty Dome Mosque
Bangladesh is famous for its devotion to Islam, which is reflected by the many mosques in the country. Amongst them, the Sixty Dome Mosque in Bagerhat is one of the most popular.
The Sixty Dome Mosque surprisingly consists of a whopping 77 domes! There are however 60 pillars, which is due to changes in translation over time.
The mosque was completed in 1459 and is the oldest in the Mosque City of Bagerhat, which has 360 mosques in total!
Food Bangladesh Is Known For
Hilsa Curry
The national dish that Bangladesh is famous for is undoubtedly Hilsa Curry. The main ingredient of the dish is the hilsa fish, which is similar in taste to herring. It’s abundant in the Bay of Bengal, therefore affordable and easily accessible.
The hilsa is seasoned with turmeric and chili and then left to marinate. Since the dish does not have many ingredients, using the proper seasonings is essential. After this, the hilsa can be fried and transferred to a pot of boiling water with curry paste.
Finally, it is served on a bed of rice to complete a fulfilling and tasty meal
Biryani
Biryani is a flavorful meat and rice combo. Because of its simple recipe yet fragrant taste, it’s a circulating dish in much of South Asia.
The bulk of the biryani is basmati rice and marinated chicken. Although Chicken Biryani is the most common, you can sometimes find other meat options like Mutton Biryani.
Vegetables such as potatoes, peas, and carrots can be added to help to sweeten the dish and can also be used as an alternative to meat.
Biryani is especially popular as a street food in Dhaka.
Chingri Malaikari (Prawn In Coconut Gravy)
Chingri malaikari is a seafood dish roughly translated to shrimp in coconut curry. As we mentioned, Bangladesh is famous for incorporating fish into its dishes and has a rich selection of shrimp.
The most important aspect of the dish is making the curry. Usually, the paste is made with masala, turmeric, and red chili. Once mixed, the coconut milk is added to create a creamy consistency, and finally, the shrimp are ready to be cooked in the mixture.
Handesh
The most famous Bangladesh food is not confined to hearty main meals. Many of the best dishes are sweet treats that can be enjoyed throughout the day as a light snack. Handesh is a perfect example of this!
This Bangladeshi dessert is made by mixing rice flour and molasses before being rolled into a ball shape. It can then be deep fried, creating a sugary, crunchy texture. Such treats are often served at celebrations, especially during the religious holiday Eid.
Famous People From Bangladesh
Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina is a renowned politician from Bangladesh. She was once Prime Minister from 1996 for one term, before serving again ever since 2009.
Hasina comes from a family of politicians and is the famous daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Rahman was the founding father of the country as well as the first Prime Minister.
Since her presidency, she has focused on tackling food poverty, accessible education, and healthcare.
Muhammad Yunus
Muhammad Yunus is an entrepreneur and Nobel Peace Prize Winner. Whilst it has made significant and steady improvements, Bangladesh is known for struggling economically. Yunus was the founder of the Grameen Bank, which specializes in bank loans to those who are likely to be rejected elsewhere.
Yunus is famous worldwide for coining the term ‘microcredit’. This concept relies on giving small loans to aspiring entrepreneurs to aid them in kickstarting their businesses. Harvard Business School and Google are just some of the platforms on which Yunus has given speeches.
Sri Chinmoy
Sri Chinmoy is a prolific author, poet, and teacher. He became widely recognizable after establishing his first mediation center in New York. Consequently, Chinmoy expanded to over 60 countries making him a worldwide influence.
Chinmoy taught his students peace and love through the use of exercise and music (often flute). He composed thousands of songs that are played during mediation today.
Discovering More Things Bangladesh Is Known For
These are some of the interesting things Bangladesh is famous for, and you can check them out when visiting the country. From the beautiful ancient mosques to the bustling lifestyle and tropical nature, there is plenty to learn from the resilience of this Asian nation.
The history of Bangladesh is remembered through a series of monuments, national holidays, and museums. Because of this, there is a deep sense of unity embedded throughout the culture, which makes it one of the best countries to visit!
