Visit D H A K A

Dhaka at a glance

2009-04-01T17:55:00.002+06:00

Dhaka was founded in 1608 A.D. as the capital of the Province by Islam Khan Chisti during the regime of Mughal Emperor Zahangir and it was at that time renamed Zahangirnagor.

In 1864 Dhaka had been declared as Pourosova.

In 1905, Dhaka was made the capital of a new province comprising East Bengal and Assam .

In 1947, the city emerged as the provincial capital of the then East Pakistan.

In 1971, after independence, Dhaka became the capital of Bangladesh.

In 1978 Dhaka uplifted from Pourosova to Municipal Corporation and since then it has been heading by the Mayor.

In 1990, Dhaka Municipal Corporation was renamed as Dhaka City Corporation.

Dhaka is the capital and the largest city of Bangladesh. With its colorful history and rich cultural traditions, Dhaka is known the world over as the city of mosques and muslin. Its fame attracted travelers from far and near throughout the ages. Today it has grown into a mega city of about 14.5 million people, with an area of about 1353 sq. km. becoming the hub of the nation's industrial, commercial, cultural, educational and political activities.

Dhaka is located in the geographic center of the country. It is in the great deltaic region of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. The city is within the monsoon climate zone, with an annual average temperature of 25 deg C (77 deg F) and monthly means varying between 18 deg C (64 deg F) in January and 29 deg C (84 deg F) in August. Nearly 80% of the annual average rainfall of 1,854 mm (73 in) occurs between May and September.

Dhaka is located in one of the world's leading rice and jute growing regions. Its industries include textiles (jute, muslin, cotton) and food processing, especially rice milling. A variety of other consumer goods are also manufactured here. The Muslim influence is reflected in the more than 1600 mosques and historic buildings found throughout the city.

Five Star Hotels in Dhaka

2009-02-18T18:05:00.005+06:00

Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel Dhaka

With expansive views of the city and the pool, the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel Dhaka offers air-conditioned rooms with free wireless internet access. It features a heated jacuzzi and an outdoor pool.
The Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel Dhaka facilities include a beauty centre, a steam room and a sauna. For a fast and effortless check-in and departure experience, take advantage of the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel Dhaka's express check-in facility. There is a hairdresser, a gift shop and an atm/cash machine within the hotel building.
Rooms at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel Dhaka have a safe, a plasma / LCD TV and tea and coffee making facilities. Each is equipped with a DVD player, complimentary toiletries and a mini bar. Bathrobes are also included for extra comfort.
The Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel Dhaka has an on-site restaurant, perfect for guests who wish to dine in. Room service is available 24 hours a day.
The Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel Dhaka provides free parking for those travelling by car. An airport shuttle operates from the hotel.
Address: Airport Road, Dhaka Cantonment Dhaka 1206, Bangladesh Telephone: +880-2-8754555 Fax: +880-2-8754504 / 8754554 Check Availability and Book Online
Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka

Featuring an outdoor pool and a heated Jacuzzi, the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka offers well-appointed rooms just a short drive from Bangabandhu National Stadium, University of Dhaka and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. Dhaka town centre is within a 10-minute drive of the hotel.
The Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka features include a sauna, a steam room and a beauty centre. Other features include a 24 hour business centre, conference room(s) and a kids pool. For your convenience, an express check-in/check-out facility is also provided.
Rooms at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka offer panoramic views of the river and are equipped with a plasma / LCD TV, cable / satellite channels and a safe. Tea and coffee making facilities, a refrigerator and a mini bar can be found in each room of the hotel. Bathrobes and slippers are also included for extra comfort.
The Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka has its own on-site restaurant, providing a convenient option for guests who prefer to dine in. Breakfast is served at the hotel each morning.
Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) is less than a 40-minute drive from the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka. Bashundhara City is also only a quick walk away.
Address: 107 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue Dhaka 1215, Bangladesh Tel: +880-2-8140401 Fax: +880-2-8113324 Check Availability and Book Online
The Westin Hotel Dhaka

Featuring an outdoor pool and a heated Jacuzzi, the Westin Hotel Dhaka offers well-appointed rooms just a short drive from Dhakeshwari Temple and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. It has a fitness centre, a sauna and a steam room.
The Westin Hotel Dhaka features a concierge, a kids pool and conference room(s). Also available on site are meeting rooms, a dry cleaning service and a business centre. Guests can get connected with the hotel's standard Wi-Fi access.
Rooms at the Westin Hotel Dhaka include a plasma / LCD TV, a safe and cable / satellite channels. They all come with a telephone. For extra comfort bathrobes are also included.
The Westin Hotel Dhaka has its own on-site restaurant, perfect for those who prefer to dine in. Room service is available 24 hours a day, and a wide selection of dining options can also be found in close proximity to the hotel.
Local attractions near the Westin Hotel Dhaka include the University of Dhaka, Karnafuly City Garden and Bangabandhu National Stadium. Ahsan Manzil and Jagannath University are each within a 20-minute walk.
Address: Main Gulshan Avenue Plot-01, Road 45, Gulshan-2 Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh Phone: +880-2-9891988 Fax: +880-2-9896661 Check Availability and Book Online

Dhaka Sheraton Hotel

Combining a luxurious environment with first-class facilities, the Sheraton Hotel Dhaka offers a sauna and an outdoor pool. Dhaka town centre is within an easy 10-minute drive of the hotel.
The Sheraton Hotel Dhaka has conference room(s), a laundry service and a currency exchange. The hotel's on-site restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner.
The relaxed rooms at the Sheraton Hotel Dhaka include cable / satellite channels, a mini bar and a TV. Each offers a refrigerator, an iron and a microwave.
The Sheraton Hotel Dhaka is a five-minute drive from Baitul Mukarram and Karnafuly City Garden, and less than a 10-minute drive from Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban. Kakrail Mosque and Bashundhara City are within a 20 minute walk from the hotel.
Address: 1 Minto Road P.O. Box 504Dhaka 1000 Bangladesh Phone: +880-2-8330001 Fax: +880-2-8312975 Check Availability and Book Online

400 years of Dhaka

2009-01-27T18:26:00.026+06:00

Dhaka is 400 years old, celebrations begin

Thursday November 27, 2008 Bangladesh began three-year-long celebrations to mark the establishment of its capital city Dhaka, which will turn 400 years old in 2010. The slogan of the colourful inaugural programme is “Ahen Moji Furtitey” (come and enjoy). Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed inaugurated the programme at the south plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (parliament house). He called upon all concerned to take effective steps to make the capital Dhaka a bustling, habitable and modern city.

He said the history of once Bangla then East Bengal and thereafter today's Bangladesh was basically encircled keeping Dhaka as its centre.
Mentioning Dhaka as the witness of many historical events, the Chief Adviser said Dhaka city and its people are the architects of many splendid creations including the Revolution in 1857, Language Movement, Mass Upsurge, surrendering of Pakistani occupation forces and Democratic Movement of 1990.

Elephants being displayed marking the celebration of400 years of Dhaka as capital in front of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

The Chief Adviser called upon the city corporation mayor, ward commissioners, city planners, utility service departments, civil society and conscious city dwellers to take steps to protect all surrounding rivers to save the capital city Dhaka.
He also advised all concerned including the archeological department to take meaningful initiatives for proper preservation of the historic establishments and other archeological sites including Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil and Baro Katara.

Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed also released a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion. Different socio-cultural organisations have also organised cultural programmes. Bangladesh Television (BTV) and private TV channels have telecast live the inaugural function.

Although Dhaka came to be used as the capital city in 1610, human habitation in the city dates back to the 7th or 8th century. City dwellers expect festive celebrations of the event. Although the expectations run high, the city custodian, Dhaka City Corporation, is yet to be aware of festivities on the occasion.

Debates are also rife on the year of the founding of Dhaka as capital city. Most academicians prefer to celebrate Dhaka’s 400 years as a capital city in 2010, as Subahdar Islam Khan shifted the capital from Rajmahal to Dhaka in July 1610 and named it Jahangirnagar after Mughal Emperor Jahangir. But some amateur historians prefer 2008 for the celebrations saying subahdar Islam Khan conquered Dhaka in July 1608. Such a group, Dhaka Itihas Gabeshana Kendra, urged the people to observe 399 years of Dhaka on July 16. Itihas Gabeshana Kendra director Hashem Sufi said they would observe the 400th founding day of Dhaka as capital city on July 16, 2007 and the 400th anniversary on July 16, 2008. Another organisation, Citizen’s Committee for Preservation of History and Culture of Dhaka, which deals with history and culture of Dhaka, has planned to celebrate the occasion in 2010.

Dhaka is known to be in existence from the seventh century. It grew as an urban centre when it became the provincial capital of the Mughal Bengal in 1610. The city ran to the British rule in 1765. It became the capital of East Pakistan in 1947, and in 1971, the city became the capital of independent Bangladesh. It was formerly spelt Dacca, which was changed to Dhaka by the former president Hussain Muhammad Ershad in 1982. The origin of the name of Dhaka is shrouded in mystery.

Some believe it has derived from Dhakeswari Temple, originally built around 12th century by a Sena king. Others believe the name has derived from dhak, which is Bangla for drum, which was beaten during the inauguration of the capital in 1610 by Islam Khan. In 1947, Dhaka became the administrative capital and the largest city of East Pakistan. Its population expanded considerably and it went through great political upheavals. Modern Dhaka has vastly outgrown the old demarcation. Its population has grown to around 13 million for the population shift from rural areas. Old Dhaka with its important port and various historical sites can still be found on the south of the sprawling, disorganised modern city.

Dhaka University celebrates 400 years of Dhaka

Dhaka University students brought out a colourful procession on the campus on 30 November 2008 celebrating the 400 years of capital Dhaka. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. SMA Faiz inaugurated the ceremony on the campus.

The DU campus was decorated to celebrate 400 years of Dhaka. Students carrying various placards, masks, banners and festoons brought out colourful processions from different dormitories that rolled out on the campus and gathered at the Mall Chattar. Several hundred resident and non-resident students in traditional dresses participated in the procession as the sound of drums filled the air. Stalls have been set up on the campus showcasing Dhaka's heritage and paintings.

National Monument for Martyrs

2009-01-24T20:04:00.003+06:00

Jatiyo Smriti Soudho (Bengali: জাতীয় স্মৃতি সৌধ Jatio Sriti Shoudho) or National Martyrs Memorial is a monument in Bangladesh. It is the symbol of the valour and the sacrifice of those freedom fighters killed in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, which brought the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistani rule. The monument is located in Savar, about 35km north-west of the capital, Dhaka.

History

Plans for the monument were initiated right after the independence, in 1972. Following the site selection, road and land development, a nation-wide design competition was held in June, 1978. Following evaluation of the 57 submissions, Syed Mainul Hossain's design was chosen. The main structure and the artificial lake and other facilities were completed in 1982.

Structure

The monument is composed of 7 isosceles triangular pyramid shaped structures, with the middle one being the tallest. The highest point of the monument is 150 feet. There is an artificial lake, and several mass graves in front of the main monument.