Bangladesh: Holidays, Climate, and National Customs
Public holidays
Date | Holiday |
February | Shaheed Dibash |
February | Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) March 17th Bangabnadhu’s birthday |
26th of March | independence Day |
April 14 | Bangali New Year |
1st of May | May Day |
May | Bouddha Purnima |
May 15 | Birthday of the prophet |
15th of Augu | Memorial Day |
September 24 | Shab-e-Barat (Ascension of the Prophet) |
October | Durga Puja (Dashami) |
November | Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan) |
December 16 | Victory day |
25 December | Christmas |
Source: Countryaah – Bangladesh Holidays
Cultural events
Two important non-Muslim festivals in Bangladesh are the harvest festival Nabanna and the Bengali New Year festival Pahela Baishak. The Nouka Baich boat race takes place in the capital Dhaka and has a long tradition.
Sporting events
Cricket and soccer are popular sports in Bangladesh. The football season in Dhaka starts in April. The games will be played in the capital’s stadium and on other football fields. There are good water sports such as sailing, windsurfing and fishing on Lake Kapati and on the coast.
National customs, customs
General
In Bangladesh it is an insult to show the soles of your feet, even if you generally sit cross-legged. Donations of money are considered an insult. Women should wear pants or long skirts.
Customs in the country
Communication between men and women is always carried out by the male partner. Any contact between men and women in public is considered indiscretion. When eating traditionally by hand, only the “pure” right hand should be used. The traditional men’s clothing is a cotton skirt (lungi) and a shirt (kurta). Women generally wear the sari.
Bangladesh: climate
Travel times
The ideas of what is meant by a particularly favorable travel climate depend on a number of factors. Pure cultural travelers certainly see the climate differently than people who want to spend a pure beach holiday, for example. The state of health or age can also play an important role. Therefore, our travel time recommendations are divided into the following two categories:
For
people who are more used to the sun For people who like to enjoy a lot of sun and for whom higher temperatures do not cause any problems, the following seasons are particularly suitable for a stay in the country: spring, summer, autumn
For people who prefer a temperate climate
People who prefer a temperate climate and lower temperatures should better use the following seasons to stay in Bangladesh: Winter
Caution
The country is hit by typhoons (huarricans) more frequently, often with devastating consequences.
It is therefore almost vital to take the relevant warnings seriously and seek safe protection
Climate table
Month | Average number of rainy days | Mean maximum temperatures in (°C) | Mean minimum temperatures in (°C) |
January | 01 | 25 | 13 |
February | 01-02 | 26 | 14 |
March | 03 | 31 | 21 |
April | 06 | 33 | 21 |
May | 09 | 34 | 25 |
June | 14 | 31 | 26 |
July | 17 | 31 | 26 |
August | 17 | 30 | 25 |
September | 11 | 31 | 25 |
October | 05 | 31 | 22 |
November | 01 | 30 | 19 |
December | at 0 | 27 | 13 |
Attractions
- Abbreviationfinder.org: Presents the way that BD stands for the nation of Bangladesh as a two-letter acronym.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Historical mosque town of Bagerhat
The mosque town of Bagerhat was built in the 15th century AD by Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah’s general Khan Jahan Ali. The sixty-column mosque is the city’s landmark. The Gumbad Mosque was also built by Khan Jahan Ali, who is still venerated as a saint today. The General’s grave is a Muslim pilgrimage site. The historical mosque town of Bagerhat was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985
Buddhist Monastery of Paharpur
Paharpur was a scholarly center for Buddhists, Jainas and Hindus and a monastery town at that time. Nowadays, however, only ruins of the old splendor remain. The Buddhist Great Mahavira Monastery and the Somapura Buddhist monastery complex are part of the complex. This Buddhist architecture influenced all of Southeast Asia from here. The main sanctuary was built from bricks. There are three terraces arranged one above the other. Stupas, shrines of various sizes and shapes, terracotta tablets, ceramics, stone sculptures, inscriptions and coins were found on the site. The ruins of the Buddhist monastery of Paharpur were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985
Mangrove forests of the Sundarbans
The Sundarbans form the mouth delta of the Ganges and consist of a multitude of very flat islands. They got their name after a tree that occurs frequently there – the Sundari tree. A variety of different animals such as turtles, snakes, crocodiles, crabs and shrimp live in the swamps. Around 500 Bengal tigers live there, and many endangered plants grow there. The plants are adapted to the salt water. Huge mangrove forests dominate the area and at high tide only the treetops protrude from the water. The Sundabans are a natural protective wall against approaching cyclones. The mangrove forests of the Sundarbans were entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.
Special buildings and structures
Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace) in Dhaka
Although the interior of the palace, built in 1872 by Nawab Abdul Ghani, the richest landowner in the city, is well worth seeing, the outside area is the real attraction, because from there there is a magnificent view of the Buriganga and the Port Sadarghat offer. The palace was destroyed by a tornado in 1888 and was later renovated and enlarged. After Nawab’s death, it fell into disrepair, but was restored in the 1980s. Lord Curzon stayed in one of the 23 rooms during his visits.
Banga Bhavan (Presidential Palace) in Dhaka
This large palace is the official residence of the President and was built in the typical Mughal architecture. It is located south of the Motijheel.
Lalbag Fort in Dhaka
Paradoxically, this fort appears much larger inside than outside and offers a wonderful view of the city. Inside, three architectural elements dominate the complex, which were completed in 1684 alone – the visitor hall (divan), the mausoleum of Pari Bibi and the Quilla mosque. Inside there is also a small museum on Mughal painting and calligraphy, among other things.
Work on the fort began in 1678 under Prince Muhammad Azam. Later work on the fort was not continued, so it remained unfinished.
The walls of the fortress are over four feet thick and has three entrance gates.
Old Hight Court in Dhaka
actually built as a residence for the British governor, the Court in Dhaka, the best example of the European Renaissance style with Mughal features represent.
The connected with its wide open spaces park at night provides a kind of open-air market.
Dhaka
Parliament Building The Dhaka Parliament building, which was built over 20 years, is an icon of modern architecture. The architect was the American Loius I. Kahn.
Ruins of Jaintiapur
The ruins of the former royal city of Jaintiapur.
Megna Bridge
The Megna Bridge between Bhairab and Ashuganj is approx. 1 km long.
Jamuna Bridge
The Jamuna Bridge between Bhuapur and Sirajganj has a total length of 4,800 m.
Hard Inge bridge
Die Hard Inge bridge at Paksey Crossing the Ganges. It has a total length of 1.8 km.
National museums and tombs
National Museum in Dhaka
The exhibition in this museum ranges from folkloric arts and crafts to elements of the Bengali, Hindu and Buddhist past. The first (handmade) Bangladesh flag can also be seen here. Tomb of Sultan Bayazid Bostami The tomb of Sultan Bayazid Bostami . Mausoleum of Pari Bibi The mausoleum of Pari Bibi, completed in 1688, is a central tomb in the Lalbag Fort (fortress of the Red Garden) from the Mughal period. It is located on the Buriganga River in the southwest of the capital Dhaka. The mausoleum was built for the favorite daughter of Subadar Shaista Khans.
Armenian Church in Dhaka
Armenian Church (Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection) in Dhaka
This church is located about 1 km northwest of Sadarghat in the Armanitola area, which got its name from the Armenian colony that was here in the late 17th century. Built in 1781, this church is a place of rest and contemplation. During the war of liberation, some interior objects were stolen (e.g. the organ) and the church was desecrated. It was restored again in the mid-1980s.
Mosques
Sitara Mosque (Star Mosque) in Dhaka
350 m north of the Armenian Church is what is probably Dhaka’s most important attraction. Magnificent mosaic decorations made of colored glass make this mosque, built in the early 18th century, so impressive. It was initially designed in the Mughal style, but around 50 years ago a local businessman financed the redecoration of this mosque with Japanese and English elements and a new veranda.
Sat Gombud mosque.
The Sat Gombud mosque is located in Bagerhat.
Nine-domed mosque In the village of Qasba Guarnadi you can admire a nine-domed mosque from pre-Mughal times.
Special mosque
In the vicinity of Patuakhali there is also a mosque from pre-Mughal times, it was built in 1464.
Shahi-Jama-e-Masjid-Mosque (also Qadam-Mubarek-Mosque)
In Chittagong you can visit the Shahi-Jama-e-Masjid-Mosque from the 17th century as well as the Qadam-Mubarek-Mosque.
Temple and monastery ruins
Dhakeshwari Temple in Dhaka
This Hindu temple, from which the city could get its name, was built in the 12th century and consists of two types of building complexes such as the four Rekka temples (building with a square sanctuary on a platform) covered with a large pyramid roof. It is a perfect place to see sadhus (holy men) smoke ganja.
Dharmarajikha Buddhist Monastery in Dhaka
The largest Buddhist central center in the country contains an enormous bronze statue and a marble statue of the Buddha. It’s a very quiet and atmospheric place.
Somapuri Vihara Buddhist Monastery, Satyapir Vita Temple.
In Paharpur there is the great Buddhist monastery Somapuri Vihara from the 8th century and the Satyapir Vita temple.
Dargah of Shah Amanat in Chittagong
The dargah of Shah Amanat in Chittagong is a holy shrine.
Kantanagar Temple
The Kantanagar Temple from 1752, near Dinajpur, is the oldest Hindu temple.
Old monastery ruins
In Vasu Vihara, northwest of Dhaka, you can admire old monastery ruins.
More Attractions
Sonargaon
Sonargaon – capital of the region between the 13th and early 17th centuries – is located in the vicinity of Dhaka (approx. 30 km east of the city)
Dhamrai
Northwest of Dhaka is Dhamrai, a town with beautiful Hindu temples.
Mymensingh Mymensingh,
further north, has been an important center for jute production since the 19th century.
Sylhet
North of Dhaka is the Sylhet region, which is known for its tea plantations.
Srimongol
Srimongol is the center of tea cultivation in this region.
Royal city of Jaintiapur
About 45 km from Sylhet are the ruins of the former royal city of Jaintiapur.
Tamabil, Zaflong
In the area around Tamabil and Zaflong on the border with India there are wonderful views of the hilly landscape with tea plantations and some spectacular waterfalls.
university
Dhaka University
The University of Dhaka was built in 1921 and consists of various fantastic buildings, such as the Curzon Hall, which is an architectural masterpiece and is now the science faculty of the University of Dhaka.
Natural beauties
Baldha Gardens in Dhaka
Once the private garden of Narendra Narayan Roy, a wealthy landowner, it was given to the government by his grandson and today contains around 1,500 plants and 672 species from 50 different countries. The Egyptian papyrus plant is particularly impressive.
Botanical Garden in Dhaka
It is home to quiet gardens on an area of about 40 hectares and is arguably the best place in Dhaka for viewing birds. Furthermore, 100 species of local and foreign plants can be seen and a view of the Turaq River can be enjoyed.
Rajendrapur National Park
The Rajendrapur National Park is about 50 km north of the capital Dhaka.
Madhupur National Park
The Madhupur National Park has a game reserve.
Sylhet region The Sylhet
region is known for its tea plantations. Srimongol is the center of tea cultivation in this region.
Sundarbans National Park
The Sundarbans National Park is a coastal strip and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See above for details
Chittagong
Chittagong has the longest uninterrupted beach in the world with a length of 120 km. The wide and fine sandy strip of sand runs between Sitakunda and Patenga and continues south of the Karnapuli River to Teknaf.
Madhabkunda
The landscape around Madhabkunda offers impressive mountain panoramas and waterfalls.