Trip to Kaliganj

I know I mentioned that this blog entry would be about waste management. It is not! Our colleague Krishnu took us on a trip yesterday so I decided instead to post some of those pictures. It was me, Albin, Krishnu, and some policemen as seen on the picture below.

Kaliganj Upazila belongs to the Jhenaidah District in the Khulna Division. Pictured above is one of the hindu temples in Noldanga Village from the 15th century.

Next to the hindu temple the Negboti River is situated. Primarily rice is grown in the sediments of the river.

Negboti River, some sheep, some farmers, and some rice.

Next stop was the Benyan Tree of Kaliganj – The second biggest in Asia. This type of tree grows into itself and thus links its branches, roots, and stems together. This tree is 250-300 years old and has its own park dedicated to it, with guards and everything. All Benyan tree-pictures below are hence part of the same tree. The biggest Benyan Tree in Asia is located in southern India and is supposed to be around 1500 years old.

Krishnu who accompanied us works at Unnayan Dhara. He is the youngest employee of the organisation and could be referred to as an Encyclopedia of Agriculture (and history). He has probably told us more about the plethora of plants, crops, trees, fruits, vegetables, and everything else that grows in Bangladesh than there is to read about it in all books combined. His memory and desire to share his knowledge is astonishing.

After the Benyan Tree we visited three different mosques. This one is called the Gorbangla Mosque.

The Gorar Mosque.

We also paid a visit to the Gazi-Kalu-Champabati tomb in Barabazar, Kaliganj. Gazi was in the 15th century the son of the muslim emperor Shah Sikandar. Gazi fell in love with the daughter of the hindu king at the time’s daughter, Champabati. The two powerful and rivaling fathers did not agree on their children’s love, so they had to go into exile. They hid in the jungle for years, and also stayed for a long time at this place. Kalu, the adopted son of the same muslim emperor, followed his brother and Champabati into exile. All three are buried in this tomb (of which I have no good pictures), and the man in the hat is the caretaker of it.

Water body at Noldanga Village.

… and some piece of nature for ya’ll.

/Pontus