Batakundi, Naran Pakistan, and Bisnakandi, Sylhet Bangladesh: Two similar but different tourist attractions

Batakundi, Naran Pakistan, and Bisnakandi, Sylhet Bangladesh: Two similar but different tourist attractions

While travelling on Naran Babusar Road, you must have stopped at the charming tourist spot of Batakundi, whether you have taken a Jeep to the Lalazar Top of our amazing Pakistan or you have gone further. But today, let's visit Bisnakandi also, a similar tourist attraction that is located in Sylhet, Bangladesh.

Tourist attractions

Just like Batakundi (that is a famous tourist spot in the most beautiful and green Kaghan Valley of Pakistan), Bisnakandi is also a lush green area near the border of India and Bangladesh. So, it can be said that these two green areas are not similar in name only.

Bisnakandi is a small countryside area like our Batakundi. It is pronounced and written in Bengali with a slightly different pronunciation (probably Bichanakandi), while the local dialect of Sylhet pronounces it as 'Bisnakandi'. It is said that the place got its name because of the layered stones. The green landscape and amazing river of this area look very similar to Kaghan Valley and Kunhar River in Pakistan. However, the width of the river is much greater than Kunhar.

When to go?

Batakundi is usually open in the summer, while on the contrary, the best time to visit Bisnakandi is during some winter months. When the weather is cool and pleasant, when the monsoon of June is not a problem, and when dangerous rains don't stop tourism. If you are alone or with friends, you can travel even in the presence of rain, but not with family.

In summer, there are heavy rains in Bangladesh, while the snowfall in Pakistan is heavy in winter, so the best times to visit these two places with children are slightly different, but despite all the differences, there are many similarities.

How to reach?

 

Thus, the northern areas of Pakistan, Batakundi, and Kaghan themselves become inaccessible and unapproachable areas due to snowfall in winter, so how can it be easy to reach Bisnakandi in these cold moments? Bangladesh! Yes, going to another country is not an easy task.

A direct flight from Karachi to Osmani International Airport in Sylhet would be great, as it is only a few kilometres from this beautyland of Bisnakandi, but due to some travel difficulties, you would have to travel by public transport for two hours or even more than that. And some further journey by boat too.

What to do?

Well, if the colourful world of dreams ever comes true in reality and you reach this place, then do the same as tourists do in the Lalazar of Kaghan and the Murghzar of Swat, i.e., entertain the heart with the green scenery or get lost in history.

But remember, don't be so engrossed in the imaginary world that you are not aware of the real world. Because you have to come back. A night stay is to be done in Sylhet itself, and of course you can come back after visiting Bisnakandi in a day. Around Sylhet, there are many more beautiful places to visit.

Exploring the lifestyle:

There is no need for a ride; it is better to wander by yourself in the beautiful, simple, but amazing village and explore the beauty of this wonderful creation of the Creator of the universe. Also check out the lifestyle of the local people. Some people also go by bicycle to see the lifestyle of the locals and to explore the area.

Enjoying the river:

Just like sitting on the stones on the banks of the Kunhar River in Batakundi, enjoying the cool breeze, you forget all your sorrows; similarly, one can find such a peaceful atmosphere on the bank of the river in Bisnakandi too.

Like the Kunhar river, its water is clear and transparent, but there is a slight bluish tint in the water colour. This river originates from the Meghalaya mountains of India. You can also swim in the river at Bisnakandi.

Waterfalls, like our beloved Pakistan, can also be found around the Bisnakandi River that passes through the mountains. We all know that apart from waterfalls, there are springs, cascades, and drains in Kaghan. There is also a famous waterfall in Batakundi, whose water comes down in steps in an amazing way, whereas Bisnakandi also has ponds in addition to waterfalls.

Boating in Bangladesh:

Although boats are present at almost every tourist spot in Pakistan, these are used as a regular mode of transportation in Bangladesh. From the tourism point of view, boating in the region, surrounded by lush greenery, can be a great memorable experience. This experience can be like river rafting in the Kunhar River.

Boats of Bangladesh

Exploring caves:

Moreover, there are many fake and true stories attributed to the caves in our Naran, but Bisnakandi also has many caves. Unlike the cave of Naran, the world is not so much aware of them. At the end of Naran Bazar, the dark cave is usually explored by the tourists, and we know that there are graves on top of the mountain, but the caves of Bangladesh are not yet explored much by tourists.

Local foods and Hilsa:

As far as food is concerned, in Naran you will find typical foods from Lahore and other major cities of Pakistan, while tourists visiting Bisnakandi usually taste the local cuisines of Sylhet.

This slight contradiction is in its place, but there is also a similarity in relation to food. The status of famous Hilsa fish in Bisnakandi is higher than that of trout fish in Batakundi. This particular fish is cooked in mustard, in the traditional Sylhet style. Whereas famous trout fish is found in the Switzerland of Pakistan, i.e., Swat, as well as in Naran Kaghan and Batakundi.

Climate:

We have already talked about the difference in weather, but it would be appropriate to further clarify one important difference in climate. Now, Bangladesh and Pakistan are separate countries and have different climates and landscapes as well. In 1964, when we were the same nation, the temperature in the area around Sylhet once fell below three degrees, but the truth is that Bangladesh does not get snow.

Summary:

Although there are many differences, these names and places still resemble each other. Both have an individual identity in terms of local as well as international tourism.

If you can't visit Bisnakundi in Sylhet, then go to Batakundi in Kaghan. If you can't eat Hilsa, try trout fish. If you can't get the famous rice cake of Sylhet, then try mango milkshake at Naran Bazaar.

Lalazar Naran

If the worth-seeing tea garden of Sylhet is not approachable, then take a look at the beautiful potato fields of Lalazar. Both the areas look like heaven on the Earth, but you will not find glaciers like Naran Kaghan in Bangladesh, which are common on the route from Naran to Babusar Top.