Madhumati River Faridpur

Madhumati River is one of the important rivers of Bangladesh. It is a tributary of the Padma River flowing over Magura, Faridpur, Narail, Gopalganj and Bagerhat in southwestern Bangladesh. It originates from Garai River flowing in Nakol Union of Sreepur Upazila of Magura District, flows along the border of Magura- Faridpur District, Narail named as Madhumati and enters Bagerhat District at Atharbeki of Khulna District and joins the Bay of Bengal near Haringhata Estuary via Barisal.

The spiral Madhumati river is 137 km long, 500 m wide and 10.5 m deep. Mohammadpur in Magura district, Boalmari, Alfadanga in Faridpur district, Lohagara and Kalia in Narail district, Gopalganj Sadar, Kashiani and Tungipara in Narail district and Mollarhat, Chitarshari and Kachua upazilas in Bagerhat district are important places in the course of the river. Madhumati bridge has been constructed on the Madhumati river on the Dhaka-Khulna highway. And the Navaganga-Madhumati irrigation project of the Water Development Board is running in the river basin.

During the dry season, the water flow of the green Madhumati river decreases, but during the monsoon, the water overflows both banks of the river. Once upon a time, Bawalis from the Sundarban region used to collect honey through this river and supply it to different regions. And so according to many local people, this river bearing the sweet water or honey is named Madhumati. On the banks of the river many townships have been built including old bazaars, buildings, temples, mosques and fishing villages. Besides, many kinds of delicious fish are available in Madhumati river including Hilsa, Bacha, Baghair, Chital, Shrimp, Bele, Id, Rui and Katal. And the river bank area being very fertile is very helpful for production of various cash crops including paddy and jute.

Faridpur can be reached by bus and train from the capital Dhaka. Comfort Line, Royal Paribahan, Suryamukhi Paribahan, Golden Line, Anand Paribahan, South Line, Ajmeri Enterprise etc. buses from Gabtali Bus Stand ply via Padma Bridge on Dhaka-Faridpur route. The bus fare will cost 400-500 taka depending on the standard. Besides, you can reach Faridpur by Sundarban Express, Madhumati Express and Benapole Express trains from Dhaka Kamalapur railway station. Train fare will be 305 to 696 taka per seat. Due to the fact that a large part of Madhumati River flows through Faridpur district city, the beauty of this river can be best enjoyed from Faridpur district city.

Among the various residential hotels located in Faridpur are Hotel Sundarban, Hotel Park, Luxury Hotel, Hotel Rajasthan, JK International, Hotel Shyamoli, Padma Hotel and Hotel Super.

Faridpur has food hotels and restaurants like Rainforest Hotel, Shahi Restaurant, Zakir Hotel and Terracotta.

Other places of interest in Faridpur include Kanaipur Zamindar's House, Palli Kavi Jasimuddin's House, River Research Centre, Mathurapur Deul and Patrail Mosque.

Feature Image: Faisal Imran