The Dhaka Times Desk Travel means the enchanting scenery of waterfalls, seas, mountains, huge lakes, tea gardens, haors or dense forests. But it's not bad to visit the historical parts. Visit Madhusudan's mesmerizing beaches.
If this fascinating scene is accompanied by the name of a historical person, such as the path where he spent his childhood, the homestead and the traces of his working life, then it is not a matter. The journey becomes more fascinating. Which makes the mind cheerful and the world of knowledge more expansive. To quench the thirst of mind and knowledge, the trip can be to Sagardani village of Keshavpur, Jessore. The name of the village is written on the pages of the book. Michael Madhusudan Dutta, the originator of Amitrakshar rhythm in Bengali literature, was born at the place.
The Kapotaksha River comes to mind when one thinks of Michael Madhusudan Dutt's Sagardani. Because the poet's house is at the bank of this river which is directly connected to the Bay of Bengal. After the poet left the country in anger with his father, he again came to the river ghat and loaded the boat, this is the river Kapotaksha. The monumental ghats of the river still exist. However, the flow of the poet's memory-filled river is no longer there. Most of the river is currently a fish farming project. The river is losing its heritage due to encroachment. However, the poet's house has been preserved under the special initiative of the government. Zilla Parishad Dak Bungalow, Sagdani Tourism Center, Madhusudan Museum etc. have been built around Madhusudan. Besides Kapotaksh, the poet's memory entwined wood nut tree and Biday Ghat continue to attract tourists.
It is said that in 1868, when the poet came to Sagardani with his family, his acquaintances did not allow him to stay at home due to his conversion. He pitched his tent under this nut tree and stayed for 14 days, after which he walked along the banks of Kapotaksha in a failed mood and boarded a barge from Biday Ghat to Calcutta. On 26 October 1965, the then government declared the house as an ancient monument. The Madhusudan Museum has been established in this house with some furniture and other memorabilia used by the Madhusudan family. A library has been established there. A Michael laboratory is also planned to be built in the future. However, the work of constructing the laboratory is still in the official stage of the government, Mohidul Islam, the supervisor of Sagardandi told the media.
Mahidul Islam said, Michael's seafaring is one of the chapters in history. Local and foreign tourists come here every year. There is a motel here for tourists to stay. Tourists are accommodated here. However, the roads need to be improved for tourists to come here smoothly. If the concerned authorities take notice of the matter, the number of tourists will increase here. It will also increase the revenue of the government. Because it is under the Department of Archaeology.
He also said that 15 to 20 thousand tourists visit Michael Madhusudan Dutt's house every year. The government gets an annual revenue of 6-7 lakh rupees. But it is not quite as expected. Due to shortage of manpower including communication system, visitors are not meeting as expected. He said, one custodian, two site attendants, 1 watchman, 1 night watchman, 6 general workers are working here.
A dream village
From Jessore city to Keshavpur via Sagardandi, the steep and narrow road, rows of palm trees on both sides, open fields can be seen through the gaps between the trees. When you stand in the courtyard of the famous Dutta family of Sagardandi village, it is here that the father of modern Bengali literature, Michael Madhusudan Dutta, was born in 1824. Then you will be filled with joy. A different kind of tingling will be created in the body instantly. Because poet Madhusudan spent his childhood in this zamindarbari. At present, the house is surrounded by various forest trees including mango and jackfruit trees. Sunlight cannot penetrate through the tree cover. You never know when your mind will be lost in the chirping of all kinds of birds in this quiet and shady environment. The view of various shrubs and leafy flowers along the banks of Shanbandha Pond can enchant you. Kabir's kachari house and its surroundings with leafy flowers and trees make the environment beautiful. Where you can have a great time walking around. By turning around, you can see the traces of the poet's standing witness to the memory of history. However, the honey fair is organized in the last week of January every year. On the occasion of that fair, there is a huge crowd at Sagardani. It may not always be possible to visit all the memorial areas of the poet in the crowd of visitors. Then the journey will also be incomplete or unsatisfying. So it may be right to travel at other times of the year than the fair to make the trip worthwhile for a bit more sightseeing.
Museum and Manor House
There are two busts of poet Madhusudan Dutta in front of the zamindarbari. Museum inside this house. Cots, couches, racks etc. used by Madhusudan's family are kept there. The house is surrounded by panchil. There is a large pond on the west side of the house. The paved ghat where the poet Madhusudan used to bathe is still a witness of the times.
To commemorate the poet, a 7-day Madhumela is organized by the Ministry of Culture from 25th January every year in an area of about two kilometers in Sagardandi, his birthplace.
That almond tree
There is a pond inside the zamindar house. On the south side of the pond is the kaddam tree which is the memorial of the poet. The poet used to write poems sitting at the base of this tree in his childhood. But this almond tree is now dying.
The poet's memorial is the farewell ghat
In 1830, Madhusudan left Sagardandi and moved to Khidirpur, Kolkata. Then the long journey begins. However, he did not forget about his birthplace, about the Kapotaksha river. In 1862, after hearing about his mother's illness, the poet came to Sagardani with his wife, son and daughter. But he did not meet his mother. The religion and superstition of the proud father did not allow the atheist son to meet his mother. Then the poet went to his uncle's house in Kathipara village of Paikgacha. He was entertained at the house of maternal uncle Ghosh. From there, he waited for a few days in a tent on the banks of the Kapotaksha river to meet his mother. However, he left for Kolkata again without being seen. After that he did not return to the country. The ghat from which he took his last leave is known as Farewell Ghat even today. This memorable Farewell Ghat of Kabir has now been modernized through renovation.
how to go
Jessore can be reached by road, rail or air from Dhaka. AC-Non-AC buses of Greenline Paribahan, Eagle Paribahan, Sohag Paribahan, Shyamoli Paribahan go to Jessore from Gabtali, Kalyanpur and Kalabagan in Dhaka. The rent is between 700 to 1200 taka.
Inter-city Sundarban Express train departs from Dhaka Kamalapur at 6:20 a.m. daily except Saturdays and Inter-city train Chitra Express departs for Jessore at 7:00 p.m. daily except Mondays. The fare is 350 taka, decorated chair 420 taka, first class chair 560 taka, first class berth 840 taka. Snigdha class (AC chair) 700 Taka, AC berth will cost 1260 Taka. But if you want to go by train, you can go by Benapole Express. It can be reached from Kamalapur Railway Station and Airport Station in Dhaka. It goes directly from Dhaka to Benapole via Ishwardi, Chuadanga and Jessore.
Also, flights of United Airlines, Regent Airlines and Novo Air regularly fly to Jessore from Dhaka. Keshavpur should be taken by bus from Jessore bus terminal. The fare will be 35 taka. From there you have to go to Sagardani by battery operated rickshaw. The rent is like 70 to 100 rupees.
schedule
Madhupalli is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm from April to September and from 9 am to 5 pm daily from October to March. There is a break on Friday from 12:30 to 2:30. Madhupalli's weekend is Sunday. Also closed on other public holidays.
where will you stay
Bangladesh Tourism Corporation has a motel in Sagardani. Rent 600 to 1200 taka. Also, if you can complete the journey in one day, you can come to Jessore district city by crossing a distance of 45 km. There are many small and big residential hotels in this city. Where the overnight stay can be comfortable for you.
Entrance ticket price
The entrance fee to Madhupalli is 10 taka for domestic tourists and 100 taka for foreign tourists. Also for parking Tk 100 for bus, Tk 20 for microbus and jeep, Tk 10 for motorcycle.
Source: Ekushey Television
English 
Bengali