Poddohem Dham Munshiganj

Padmahema Dham is an ashram of Fakir Lalon Shah located in Dosarpara village of Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj district. Although Lalon did not set foot in this scenic spot known as Baul Bari, Kabir Hossain, a photojournalist of Prothom Alo newspaper, built this ashram out of devotion to Lalon. As soon as you enter Padmahem Dham full of the gentle natural environment of Chaya Sunibi and the chirping of birds, one of the signs of care will be a huge Ektar made of stone. Amidst the enchanting nature, Munshiganj's traditional wooden two-storey houses, meeting rooms and lalangiti school will be noticed. The Ichamati river flows along the side of the ashram, which has formed a beautiful estuary on three sides. And so the sight of sunrise and sunset from the ashram standing on the bank of the river is much more enjoyable. Most of the time, a group of Vedas who have built a family can be seen going through the Ichamati river in a boat. Overnight camping can be done at Padmahem Dham.

Lalan Fakir festivals, fairs and sadhusangs are organized in this ashram on two full moon tithis during winter for 12 years under an ancient banyan tree in the huge open field in front of the ashram. The ashram premises are buzzing with music, tea and pies from evening to night. At that time many Baul artistes, dignitaries, visitors and devotees arrived from different countries including Japan, India and Sadhu Guru.

Distance from Dhaka to Munshiganj district is only 23 km. You can go to Munshiganj by taking a bus bound for Mawa from Gulisthan, Abdullahpur and Mirpur in Dhaka. Padmahem Dham ashram located 7 km from Sirajdikhan upazila can be reached by bike/CNG from Munshiganj district headquarters.

The most convenient way is to go to Mollar Bazar from Postgola in Dhaka with a CNG fare of Tk 30. After coming to Molla Bazar, you have to cross the river to go to Baluchar. To go to the other side of the river will take a fare of 5 taka per person. One can go directly to Padmahem Dham by taking CNG across the river. Full CNG fare will cost around 200 taka. And bargain to fix CNG.

Besides, you can take a bus going to Betka, Tongibari or Sonarang from the side of Golap Shah shrine in Gulisthan and directly get down at Goalbari in Sirajdikhan Bazar and take an auto/CNG to Lalon Ashram Padmahem Dham.

You can go to Munshiganj to enjoy the natural beauty of the river by avoiding the traffic. It takes about 2 hours to go to Munshiganj by launch from Dhaka Sadar Ghat.

Due to its proximity to Dhaka district, you can leave Dhaka in the morning and return in the evening. If you want, you can stay camping in the vast green grounds of the ashram with the help of locals. Also, if you need to stay overnight, you will find some other standard residential hotels including Hotel Three Star and Hotel Comfort located in Munshiganj district headquarters.

Inside the Padmahem Dham Ashram there are hotels for eating and drinking. Apart from this, the food at River View and Munshi's homely hotels located in the city is very good. Among the popular dishes of Munshiganj are Chittar Dai, Anandar Sweets, Khuder Bauua, Bhagyakul Sweets.

Other places of interest in Munshiganj include Jagdish Chandra Memorial Museum, Bhagyakul Zamindar Bari and Mawa Ferry Ghat.

Feature Image: Apu