Bangladesh In My Eyes: Banglabandha Zero Point & Tetulia Dak Bungalow, Panchagarh

Banglabandha Zero Point

Banglabandha Zero Point is the beginning of Bangladesh. Banglabandha Zero Point and Banglabandha Land Port are at the top of the map of our country. There is a big Zero indicating the 0 point. You can see the national flag of Bangladesh and India near the Zero Point and the gate of the Indian border. From there you cannot go further without permission.
Tetulia is the northernmost upazila of Bangladesh in the foothills of the Himalayas. Banglabandha union is under this upazila. The Banglabandha land port was built in 1997 on about 10 acres of land along the banks of the river Mahananda and adjacent to the Indian border. From Banglabandha Siliguri is 7 kilometers away and Darjeeling is 56 kilometers away. Recently, import-export activities have started with India through this port. In addition, economic relations with Nepal and Bhutan are being strengthened through this port. It is the only land port in Bangladesh through which the possibility of strong communication with the three countries has been created. It was considered to be Bangladesh's first export-oriented inland port, obviously promoting the transport of Bangladeshi goods to Nepal, India and Bhutan.

Immigration services started in 2016 but due to a lack of facilities like as bus services, money exchanges, restaurants and hotels fewer than hundred people cross this port daily. People from Bangladesh, India, Nepal or Bhutan cross this border on foot.

You will see big trucks full of stones. Stones that come from India every day are stored on the side of the road close to Zero Point later distributed all over the country. Local people also collect stones from the Mahananda river.

About our journey

We visited the Rangpur division because of some official work. We cover Gaibandha, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh district. 4th December night we came here and 5th December we visited Kazi & Kazi, Banglabandha Zero Point and Tetulia Daak Bungalow.

How to go

The distance from Dhaka to Panchagarh is about 456 km and from Panchagarh to Tentulia is 40 km. Panchagarh can be reached by road or rail from anywhere in the country. You can go there directly from different districts including Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet. You can also go Tetulia from Dhaka. Buses of various transport companies like Hanif, Shyamoli, Babul Paribahan goes there.

Where to Stay

There is no place to stay in Tetulia. You have to stay in Panchagarh. You can hire a private car or CNG to visit tetulia. However, with prior permission, you can spend the night at Tentulia Dak Bungalow or in the District Commissioner Bungalow. There are several good residential hotels and rest houses in Panchagarh district town for overnight stay. There are two types of rooms, AC and non-AC. The rent is relatively low under 300 to 1500 tk depending on the season.

Indian border gate

National flag of Bangladesh & India (You are not permitted to go fruther)

Trucks waiting in a line

Mahananda river

Locals collecting stons from Mahananda river

Stone collection

Sunset in the river Mahananda

Flag of Bangladesh

Panchagarh Map

Joint retret ceremony Fulbari-Banglabandha

BGB Team

Sahebul Karim

Indian Truck

Asif Ahmed Chowdhury

Tetulia Dak Bungalow

On the way back to Panchagarh, you can visit Tetulia Dak Bungalow. Located on the banks of the Mahananda river. You can spend some quite time there, enjoy the nature and can see the sunset over the Mahananda river. There is a big statue of an unicorn, some small statue of storks and a playground with watchtower for the childrens. You can stay in this ancient post bungalow with the permission of the district councilor.

Tetulia Dak Bungalow

Unicorn in Tetulia Post Bungalow

Children play zone and watchtower

Structure of Storks

Some other places in Panchagarh that you should visit:

No	Name	How to go
1	Mirzapur Shahi Mosque (মির্জাপুর শাহী মসজিদ)	Fron Dhaka first go to Atwari (আটোয়ারী) Upazila bus stand using public transport like bus, coaches. From Atwari, Mirzapur is 6 km away by bus. Mirzapur Shahi Mosque is 1 km east of Mirzapur by rickshaw / van. You can also come Dinajpur by rail directly from Kamalapur railway station, Dhaka. From Dinajpur to Atwari (Kismat / কিসমত) railway station is 6 km away. You can use bus, van or rickshaw to reach Atwary.
2	Rocks Museum (রকস্ মিউজিয়াম)	The Rocks Museum is located at Panchagarh Government Women's College. From Panchagarh Central Bus Terminal you can go there by a rickshaw.
3	Maharaja Dighi (মহারাজার দিঘী)	From Panchagarh Central bus terminal start for Tentulia and get off in the place called Board Office (বোর্ড অফিস). Then take a rickshaw or van to reach Maharaja Dighi, 05 km to the east.
4	Vitargarh Fort City (ভিতরগড় দুর্গনগরী)	From Panchagarh Central bus terminal start for Tentulia and get off in the place called Board Office (বোর্ড অফিস). Then take a rickshaw or van to reach Vitargarh, 05 km to the east.
5	Vitargarh (ভিতরগড়)	Vitargarh is located in Amarkhana (অমরখানা) Union No-1. From Panchagarh, Vitargarh is 15 km away. Vitargarh is adjacent to the Indian border.
6	Mirgarh (মিরগড়)	5 km from Panchagarh Sadar Upazila, located in Dhakkamara (ধাক্কামারা) Union to the south.
7	Panchagarh's Asian Highway (পঞ্চগড় এশিয়ান হাইওয়ে)	About 55 km from Panchagarh to Tentulia. The Asian Highway is full of aesthetic beauty.
8	Golakdham Temple (গোলকধাম মন্দির)	Golakdham temple is located in Shaldanga (শালডাংগা) village of Shaldanga union in Debiganj (দেবীগঞ্জ) upazila of Panchagarh district. The temple was built in 1848. The temple is located about 12 km northwest of Debiganj Upazila Sadar.