Itna Haor Kishoreganj

Itna is one of the Haor upazilas of Kishoreganj district. Although there is more or less water in the Itna haors throughout the year, the haors take on an artistic form during the monsoons. Then with both eyes only the horizon can be seen as the ocean or expanse of water. Again, one or two green trees sprouted from their heads, one or two houses floating like an island. Boats are the only means of movement of people in Itna Haor region during monsoon. So many boats will be seen on the trip to Etna.

In addition to the sight of fishermen catching fish in Howare, various species of birds will be seen. By renting a boat, you can explore Etna Haor and enjoy the wonderful nature. Along with that, you can swim in the water of Haor and enjoy water sports. And how can you forget the charm of watching the beautiful sunset in the heart of Haor! Two notable haors located in Etna are Shanir Haor and Dhanpur Haor.

Apart from traveling to Etna Hau, the ' Itna Shahi Masjid ' located in Etna Sadar is one of the most visited places in the upazila. Apart from this, there are Dewan's House, Maheshgupta's Zamindar House (Gupta House), Gurudayal Sarkar's House and Anand Mohan Bose's house in Jaysiddhi village.

The road is equal to the water through the middle of Haor : water on both sides and a paved road runs through the middle. Many people may have seen pictures or videos of such scenes. Etna also has several such roads. However, when the roads are full of water during the low monsoon, the roads are submerged under water. If you want to enjoy the beauty of such a road, you should go during the beginning of monsoon when there is less water or go when the water recedes.

If you want to go directly to Etna Howar, you have to come to Kishoreganj District Headquarters first. You can come to Kishoreganj by train or bus from Dhaka.

Kishoreganj by train from Dhaka : If you take the train to Egarosindhur at 7:15 am from Kamalapur or airport railway station, you can reach Kishoreganj by 11:00 pm. It will take 135 taka to 368 taka depending on the class to buy the train ticket. Then you have to come to Ekrampur junction of the city by easy bike (auto) for only 5 taka rent or 5 minutes on foot.

From Dhaka by bus to Kishoreganj : From Mohakhali bus stand to Kishoreganj bound Ananya Paribahan or from Golapbagh bus stand to Kishoreganj bound to Ananya Super or commuter bus to Kishoreganj city Gaital bus stand. Bus fare is 270-350 taka per person. It will take about 3 hours from Mohakhali and about 4 hours from Golapbagh. And if you come from Golap Bagh by Haor Vilas or Ujan Bhati bus, you can get down directly at Chamta Bandar / Chamta Ghat. In this case you don't have to come to Chamta port by other transport from Kishoreganj city. However, no bus service in Kishoreganj is very good. Among them, the relatively good service is the Ananya Paribahan of Mahakhali and the bus service from Golapbagh.

If you arrive at Gaital bus stand in Kishoreganj by Ananya Super or Commuter Bus, then from there take Easybike to Ekrampur Junction of the city. Easybike will cost 15 taka and rickshaw will cost 30 taka.

From Kishoreganj to Etna : From Ekrampur junction, you have to take a CNG or Mahendra train for a fare of Tk 40 to Tk 50 to reach Chamta Ghat. Distance from Ekrampur to Chamta Ghat is twenty kilometers. Trawlers are available from Chamtaghat to Etna. Trawlers leave Chamta Ghat for Etna at regular intervals starting from 8 AM to 5 PM every day. Similarly, trawlers ply from Etna every day from 8 am to 5 pm. It costs Tk 60 to go to Etna by trawler, and it takes about two hours. It is good to say that local people of Kishoreganj call Chamta Ghat regionally as 'Leather Ghat'.

If you reserve an engine boat or trawler for the whole day from Chamtaghat, you can travel to all places in one day and return to Kishoreganj city on the same day. In this case, depending on the size of the trawler, the rent will be 3000 to 5000 taka.

Etna has not developed good accommodation for tourists. There are some standard rest houses. You can get a room for 150 to 300 taka at Thakur Guest House on the right side of Etna Jetty. However, you can stay in Dak Bungalow of Upazila Parishad if you want. Besides, you have to come back to Kishoreganj district for night stay in good quality hotel. Kishoreganj city has several residential hotels of different quality. Among them Gangchil, Castle Salam, Riverview, Ujan Bhati are notable.

You will find several hotels for food in Etna Bazaar. You can fill your stomach very well with various types of fresh fish of Haor. Besides, if you are a sweet lover, try Madangopal in Kishoreganj or Malaikari at Rajmani Sweets, Rasmalai at Lakshivander near Ekrampur Bridge.

Feature Image: Asif Rahman