In the soft light of dawn, I am a passenger on a bus running on the hilly, winding road. I was fascinated by the rush of rain coming through the windows of the half-open bus and was fascinated by the nature around me. If you look at the side, you can see a mountain valley hundreds of feet deep and in the distance you can see the combination of clouds and mountains. This is how Bandarban, the district of mountains and clouds, welcomes us. It is as if the goddess of nature has decorated Bandarban with her own hands. Mountains higher than the clouds, mountainous curved rivers, mysterious caves are not here!
Take the road from Chittagong to Cox's Bazar and take the road from Chakaria to Bandarban on the left. Starting from Chakraya, the road gradually turns up and down the bend of the hill. The road will also test skilled drivers. After a while you see deep ravines on both sides of the road!
After walking on this exciting road for some time, we landed at Lama at 7 in the morning. After breakfast we got ready and drove to Mahindra (a kind of medium car) for Alikadam. Desire to go to Roopmuhuri Jharna. To reach this waterfall, one has to hire a boat from Matamuhuri Ghat in Alikadam.
After about forty minutes we landed at Alikadam Army Camp checkpost. The river Matamuhuri is flowing next to the camp. On the other side of the river are some distant hills, with clouds over them. She is a wonderful sight!
If you want to go to Roopmuhuri, you have to take permission from the army from this camp. The captain there said that the peacekeepers had started trouble towards Roopmuhuri for some time. When he heard that we would stay the night, he would not let us go. We were forced to make some changes in our plan.
Alikadam Cave
It was decided that we would go to the famous Ali cave in Alikadam on the first day, where we were supposed to go on the second day. There is no end to the mystery about Ali's tunnel. Just as there are many stories, legends and opinions about the name Alikadam, there are also many interesting stories and legends about this mysterious cave. One of the attractions of Bandarban is Ali's cave. Official documents identify the cave as an antiquity. It is believed that this cave of Ali is built in the same thread in Alikadam Ali hill. Kadam in Arabic means foot, the locals believe that a preacher named Ali once came to preach in this hilly region. Since then, Ali has been involved in the name of upazila and hill. To reach Ali's hill with many caves, one has to cross the Twain Canal.
As the water was low, we crossed half by boat and half by foot. From there we had to climb a steep slippery path about seventy feet. After descending a little and crossing a small bridge, the gorge can be seen. A small stream of water is flowing along this gorge. Seeing this gorge, it seems as if someone has cut the mountain with skillful hands and made the road for walking! The upper part of the hill is covered with greenery.
In the middle of the gorge, small pebbles and large decaying tree trunks were found, which were washed away in the heavy rains. Just looking at the size of these logs, one can understand how terrible the condition of the gorge can become due to heavy rains.
We crossed the trunk of such a big and small tree and proceeded along the gorge. Although it was quite wide at the beginning, the hills on both sides gradually became narrower. After walking for ten minutes like this, we came across two roads. The road on the right ends a short distance away, with an iron staircase built by an army, which is connected to the first cave. At the beginning we all proceeded towards that staircase.
We carefully climbed the stairs with our feet on the ground. The stone walls inside the cave are rough and damp. After going some distance in this cave, there is a very narrow path, which is not possible to go in front of. We walked around the cave for a while and came down.
This time the destination is in the second cave. This second cave is quite large. We came to the corner of those two roads and took the left path. The hills on both sides of this path are quite narrow. After going some distance, you can see the hanging stairs made by the army. This staircase of wood and thick rope is quite dangerous. This place is very slippery as water is flowing on the stone wall along the stairs. Carefully climb the stairs and see the entrance of the famous cave.
As it is a very small entrance, you have to crawl here. The main cave can be seen by crawling through a place like a staircase. The size of this cave is quite large, we know that this cave has many branches. After walking around this cave for a while more, we went back again.
I crossed the canal, had lunch and left for Lama. I decided to go, since there are tents, what if we were camping somewhere tonight! It is true that there is a small hill called TNT hill in Lama.
With tents and bar-b-que equipment we set off for the TNT hill. The TNT hill is quite a small hill. You can reach the top of the hill by walking for ten minutes from the bottom. We climbed the hill and divided into three parts. One part was camp-fire, the other part was bar-b-que and the rest were camping. Half the night was spent singing and chatting, then we went to sleep, we have to go out tomorrow!
Matamuhuri travel
Today's purpose is to travel to Matamuhuri river by boat. After lunch from Lama Bazaar, we boarded two boats from the nearby ghat. There are big hills on both sides and a meandering river flowing in the middle. There are pirates floating in some places.
In this way, while enjoying the amazing beauty of the river and the mountains, I came to a place called Maniknagar Bazar, which had a huge char next to it. I could not resist the urge to walk barefoot for a while!
From this market the boat turned again towards Lama Bazaar. By then the drizzle had started. We got down with the umbrella, walked around the garden, had tea at the local shop and came back to the boat. Then after about ten minutes the boat went to Lama Bazaar. By then the afternoon had passed and the evening.
After reaching the market, I decided to stay at the food hotel and go to Damtua the next day. Damtua is one of the largest springs in Bandarban. The more beautiful the waterfall, the harder it is to get there. According to the advice of a local, it is better for the first time tourists not to go on the inaccessible road of Damtuar. So it was decided that only those who have experience will go to Damtua. The rest will visit some of the surrounding hills, including Mirinja (a tourist spot).
Coming to the mountains for the first time, I was in the second group.
Mirinja Travel
On the third day, I woke up in the morning and saw that the Damtua team had left early in the morning. We also ate and went out at noon for Mirinja. It takes a maximum of forty minutes to an hour to travel from Lama Bazaar to Mirinja with Mahindra. Once I reached Mirinja to enjoy the beauty of the hills on the side of the hilly road.
I heard that if the sky is clear or the Bay of Bengal can be seen from Mirinja! I found his truth in Mirinja.
There is a staircase in the middle of the hill and a terrace at the top to enjoy the view. From there, the surroundings could be seen from afar and if you look closely, you can see the Bay of Bengal!
Seeing the breeze and this natural beauty, it was late afternoon. Now it's time to go around the surrounding hills. Two of our autos drove along some unknown mountain road. In the evening, we had tea at a tea shop on a hill and talked to the local children. Then it was time to return home. When I returned to Lama, I saw that the Damtua party had arrived a while ago.
I later heard about the Damtua travel experience from them.
Damtua travel
Damtua travel experience was great!
If you want to go to Damtua, first you have to come to Alikadam Bazaar by bike, auto or Mahindra. From here you have to take the moon car or bike to Adupara along the Dim Pahar road. You have to start walking by collecting the guide, the most necessary sticks and some dry food.
After walking a little flat road on the way to Damtua, a Murang Para called Pamiya Para falls. Most of the houses here are empty for zoom farming. Those who stay at home handle small children. Then a little further on, quite a lot of roads up and down the hill. If you look at the distant mountains, you can see hill girls with baskets on their heads. The sound of mountain springs can be heard after many roads are uphill and downhill.
After going some distance, a huge stream of Wangpa waterfall can be seen. This fountain will be more or less seventy feet long. The water of this fountain was falling down in four different streams. To get down to it, you have to go down a steep hill. Jhiripath starts from there. You have to go through the big steps of a very slippery fountain. The current of icy water is very strong, if you fall in vain, you will be defeated! After walking in the blazing sun for so long, this icy water brings peace of mind.
After walking for thirty minutes along this path, a place called Member Para falls. Rest there for a while and walk along Jhiripath again. After walking for a long time along the Jhiripath, the hill again becomes a waterfall, and after crossing it, the mountain rises again. The ups and downs continued for a while.
After going some distance like this, Kakhai Para comes. It is as if someone has painted this neighborhood with his own hands! At great speed a fountain was flowing right next to the neighborhood. Once you cross the Kakhai Para, it is understood that the main waterfall is not far away. Gather to lock the ears with the loud sound of water! In this way, after going some distance, the main stream can be seen. This waterfall can be descended step by step like a natural staircase.
It was already known that Damtua was a short distance away after crossing the waterfall. After walking for more than twenty minutes, I saw Damtua at the bottom of the hill! Fifteen minutes up the hill to enjoy the beauty of Damtua. A huge stream of water is rushing down from three directions.
After getting into the water, all the troubles will seem to be successful. The stream of water under the fountain pierces the body like a thorn. If you don't know how to swim, it is difficult to move forward.
I came to the waterfall from the fountain for an hour. From there take the same road for thirty minutes to come back to Alikadam again.
Egg hill
Our next day destination is Dim Hill. The next morning I left Alikadam after eating. To go to Dim Pahar and Damtua, you have to start from Alikadam by moon car or motorcycle. The road to Dim Mountain is very strange.
The road from Alikadam to Thanchi (33 km) is the highest road in Bangladesh. The winding road on the hill is about 2,500 feet above sea level. There is a BGB check post on the way.
No other vehicles ply on this road except moon cars and motorcycles. There are steep ditches on both sides of the road leading to the hill. The top of the hill is nearby but it is not visible as it is covered with clouds. After walking like this for about an hour and a half, I suddenly saw that we were walking through the clouds!
This is Dim Pahar, the clouds are walking on this hill. As soon as we got out of the moon car, we started walking around enchanted. Opportunity to catch the cloud with your own hands in life!
Looking down at the side of the mountain, it is raining, but a couple of drops are falling on us, because we are above the clouds! She is a strange beauty. If you stay for a while, it seems that it is not bad to spend your whole life in this mountain.
Overnight at Shailkuthi
After overcoming the fascination of Dim Pahar, we had to leave in the afternoon for Alikadam. I reached Alikadam in the evening after singing and chatting. Alikadam has a beautiful cottage called Shailkuthi. The Matamuhuri River is next to the cottage, and behind it is a mountain range. We decided to spend the last night of Bandarban in this rock factory, so as soon as we got down to Alikadam, everyone came to the rock factory.
Our last night in this beautiful cottage in Bandarban was spent laughing, chatting and singing. At dawn everyone decided to watch the sunrise. The cottage may have had some seating on the river or in the mountains to watch the sunrise. I think I have been living in this mountain and river for a long time! This environment causes the mind to cry repeatedly.
Not being able to sleep at night, everyone slept for a while and left for Lama in the afternoon. I went to Lama and got on the bus after some shopping. Leaving the sky and mountains covered with hundreds of stars, our bus ran towards mechanical Dhaka. In this Bandarban of amazing natural nature, I have been collecting many memories, big and small, that I will remember forever!
In the end, there is only one thing to talk about. Don't throw unnecessary dirt while visiting these beautiful places. We have a responsibility to protect the beauty of our country.
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