Lalon Shah (Pakshey) Bridge

Lalon Shah (Pakshey) Bridge, the country’s second largest bridge, over the river Padma at Paksey-Bheramara point opened to traffic on 18 May 2004.

The 1.8-km bridge was built parallel to the Hardinge Railway Bridge at a cost of Tk 1,065 crore, including Tk 245 crore from the government. Japan Bank for International Cooperation contributed rest of the money, which is refundable in 30 years.

The bridge open a new horizon in the communication sector, connecting the country’s southwestern and northwestern regions and making trade easier with India and Nepal through Mongla Port.

Major Bridge Engineering Bureau was awarded the tender for constructing the bridge and ScanCement was exclusively used. A total 65 thousand metric tones of cement was used for the construction work.

LALON MELA...........

Fokir Lalon Shah, a prominent philosopher poet in the cultural history of Bangladesh, established a distinctive tradition of philosophical thoughts through his thousands of songs and compositions. This legendary figure was born on 1774 CE and died on 1890, leaving controversial issues regarding his identity. He lived in the village Cheuria at Nodia of British-India era and Kushtia district of present Bangladesh. He is called as the Baul Shamrat (the Emperor of Bauls) for his distinctive views about life which denies the concrete affairs of the search of ecstasy of human soul. His own vision on human life has become the fundamental in developing Baul thoughts among the Bauls in this arena of the world.
Every year, on the first week of April, a fair is organized on the eve of his birth anniversary at Kushtia. The akhra (the place where Lalon lived) is decorated colorfully during this occasion and thousands of his devotees from different places of the country gather here to celebrate the day. Singers of Lalon Academy with ektara and other musical instrument, perform Lalon’s song all through the night for three days. Several crowds of Baul sit at different places of the Akhra. Among the Bauls, Fakir Humayun Shah is the prominent one. Lots of people join the crowd to enjoy the song of Lalon from Humayun’s and his devotees’ voice. On this day, the place becomes a gathering of Lalon’s devotees who remember him practicing his philosophical thoughts and performing his thousands of compositions.

FASCINATING KUAKATA Cooing Kuakata, the lowland lass of Latachapli in the sea-facing south of Bangladesh is 70 km. from Patuakhali District Headquarters and 320 km. from the Capital City of Dhaka. Here on the Bay, nature left to nature is the up and coming tourist hamlet of Kuakata with cool and kind holidaying kiss. Fascinating name Kua (well), Kata (dug) was perhaps given to it by the earliest Rakhyne settlers from Kingdom of Arakan who landmarked the place by digging a well. Fabled curative qualities of well-waters of Kuakata is still a matter of “willing suspension of disbelief”. Fascinating still more is the sight of the sun at dawn rising from the depths of the sea and sinking into the same at dusk which can be glanced from the same point.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
	- The long wide beach in typical natural setting, - Rising from the sea and setting into it of the crimson sun in a calm environment, - Fairs and festivals during `Rush Purnima’ and `Maghi Purnima’, - Unique customs and costumes of the `Rakhyne’ community, - Ancient Buddhist temple & the largest Buddha statue of Bangladesh, - Migratory birds in the winter season.
HOW TO GO:
	Dhaka-Barisal by Air. Barisal to Kuakata via Patuakhali by Road. By steamer and launch: Dhaka-Patuakhali and Patuakhali to Kuakata by local Transport. By Road: Dhaka-Kuakata by Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) Tourist Bus. Khulna-Kuakata by Bus.
WHERE TO STAY:
Parjatan Holiday Homes at Kuakta is an ideal tourist resort having necessary facilities for the tourists.
	Deluxe Motel : 16 Rooms Restaurant : 50 Seats Room Tariff : AC-Deluxe (Double) TK. 1800.00 AC-Twin Bed TK. 1500.00 Non-AC Twin Bed TK. 900.00 Economy Twin Bed TK. 600.00 Confc. Hall (50 pers.) TK. 6500.00
Rates are all inclusive and subject to change without notice.
Accommodation Facilities
For rates and booking contact: Central Reservation Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Phone: +880-2-9893710 e-mail : info@bangladeshtourism.gov.bd