Komola Ranir Dighi Netrokona

Three kilometers from Durgapur Upazila Sadar, the traditional Komola Ranir Dighi is located near Birishiri Union Parishad. It is also popularly known as Sagar Dighi to many. According to tradition, in the latter part of the fifteenth century, King Janki Nath of Susong Durgapur married a beautiful woman named Kamala Devi. A son was born in the house of King Janki Nath, a benevolent king. The child was named Raghunath. King Janki Nath dug a pond to alleviate the water scarcity of his subjects. But the king was worried because the water did not rise in the pond.

Then one night, the king saw in a dream that if Queen Kamala Devi went to the middle of the pond and worshiped it, the pond would be filled with water. The queen also agreed to perform puja in the middle of the pond thinking of the subjects. Suddenly the water rose all around and drowned the queen Kamala Devi. According to many, lightning caused the soil at the bottom of the lake to crack and fill with water. Raja Janki Nath was disturbed by such an incident. Always worried about the king's son Raghu. Again, one night the king saw in a dream that if he left the infant Raghu on the bank of the pond, the queen Kamala Devi would be able to breastfeed Raghunath. But the condition is that the king cannot touch the queen in any way.

Raja Janki Nath used to leave his child on the bank of the pond at night. Rani Kamala Devi used to feed the child with breast milk and then disappear into the water. One day the king wanted to touch the queen. But the queen merged with the water. Since then he never came to breastfeed his child.

The king saw in a dream that if his son Raghunath could breastfeed for another 7 days then he would be considered victorious and a glorious hero. According to history, Susong Durgapur was established as a powerful pargana during the reign of King Raghunath. It was Raja Raghunath who attacked Jangalbari Durg and defeated Chand Rai, Kedar Rai, the zamindar of Bikrampur, and was awarded the title of Maharaja by the Mughal emperors.

Currently Someshwari river flows through Kamala Rani Dighi. The southern and western banks of the Dighi still stand as witnesses of time. A part of the bank of the pond has been settled, and some part is used as cropland.

Sarkar and Jinnat Paribahan buses leave directly from Dhaka's Mohakhali Bus Terminal for Durgapur. It takes 250 to 350 taka to go to Durgapur by these two buses. Although it is called Durgapur, usually these buses go to Sukhnagari. From Sukhnagari, one has to cross a small river by boat and go to Durgapur by rickshaw, bus or motorbike. You can go to Durgapur for Tk 20 by bus, Tk 80 to Tk 100 by rickshaw and Tk 100 for two people on a motorcycle.

From Dhaka at 10:15 PM, take Howar Express train to Shyamganj station and from there you can take bus or CNG to Birishiri Bazar. Or if you want to go a little easier, you can come back to Netrakona by Howar Express train and return from Challisha Bazar by motorcycle for 300 taka per person. Apart from this, you can take the train from Airport Railway Station at 4.00/4.30 am to Zaria station and go to Durgapur by trawler, auto, CNG or motorcycle for 80 to 100 taka.

From in front of Durgapur Upazila Parishad by rickshaw or motorbike, cross the Birishiri bridge and take the paved road of Gujrikona on the left after 1.5 km to the bank of Kamala Rani Dighi.

Susong Durgapur has Zilla Parishad Dak Bungalows, several guest houses and mid-range residential hotels for overnight stays. If necessary contact – Zilla Parishad Dak Bungalow 0952556015, Rest House of Youth Men Christian Association or YMCA (01743306230), YWCA Guest House (01711027901), Minority Cultural Academy Guest House (1892-822905)

The mid-range hotels in Durgapur include - Swarna Guest House (01712284698), Hotel Susong (01914791254), Birishiri Resort (01974920082), Hotel Jaba (01711186708, 01753154617), Nadibangla Guest House (01324974097). These hotels have overnight accommodation for 300 to 800 taka.

You can carry light food while traveling in Birishiri as food is not available everywhere. There are some mid-range food hotels or restaurants where rice, pulses, fish, meat as well as buck are available. Don't miss to taste Netrakona's famous Balish Sweets at Durgapur Bazaar.

Feature Image: Sulaiman Khan