Big Banian Tree In Asia Jhenaidah

There is a historical banyan tree spread over an area of ​​11 acres in the form of 52 banyan trees of different sizes in Bethuli village of Kaliganj upazila of Jhenaidah district. The approximate height of the banyan tree is 250 to 300 feet. In 1984, Mallikpur's banyan tree was named the Big Banian Tree in Asia in a BBC survey. The banyan tree has several different names, among which the more common names are the Banyan tree of Switla, the Banyan tree of Switla Mallikpur and the Banyan tree of Bethuli.

The locals have no exact information about the age of the banyan tree. It is believed that around three hundred years ago the village of Bethuli was famous for the residence of the Kumar community. The use of patkua was prevalent among the people of the Kumar community at that time. A banyan tree grew in one of the patkuas of the Kumar family of Sen descent. From which today's current banyan tree is transformed.

The beauty of the banyan tree, the calm environment around the banyan tree, the chirping of birds delights the visitors. Since 2009, Social Forest Department has been maintaining this banyan tree in Mallikpur.

Jhenaidah can be reached by AC/Non-AC buses of Royal, JR, Sonar Tari, Chuadanga Deluxe and SB Paribahan from Gabtali in capital Dhaka. AC/Non-AC bus ticket price is Tk 650 to Tk 1300 per person.

The distance of Mallikpur banyan tree from Jhenaidah town is about 25 km. By bus from Jhenaidah Sadar to Kaliganj bus stand, you can take auto rickshaw or CNG to visit the historic Banyan tree located in Sweetla Mallikpur village.

There are several residential hotels in Kaliganj including Naldanga Rajbari Resort. Besides, there are various quality residential hotels to stay in Jhenaidah. Among them, one has to spend 700 to 1500 taka per night in AC/Non-AC room of Hotel Dream International. And to stay in Hotel Kutum you have to pay 500 to 800 taka.

On the way from Jhenaidah to Mallikpur via Kaliganj, you will find several food hotels and restaurants including Dhansindi, Sabuj Bangla Restaurant, Roy Sweets. Besides, you can try Ghosh's sweet, Pyara Chhatvar Chhana and Chhana Jilapi in Jhenaidah city besides taking necessary food in restaurants such as food, food safari, sweet, domestic etc.

Feature Image: Sheikh Shariful Islam