CHARMS OF CHALAN BEEL // A sweet and exciting day in the heart of Chalanbil with my friend Zillur

To get rid of the monotony of mechanical life, work pressure and the dust and noise of the city, sometimes we want to get lost very close to nature. And if that peace can be found in the largest and traditional wetland of our beautiful Bengal, 'Chalanbil', then there is nothing better! Today, my dear friend Zillur and I have been riding our bikes to different spots in Chalanbil all day. In today's post, I am going to share with you the detailed experience of our wonderful trip and some of the most beautiful moments captured from the chest of Chalanbil.

​Nature's Master Craftsman: The Beautiful Nest of Babui Birds in a Palm Tree:
As soon as we entered the Chalanbil area, our eyes were immediately drawn to a wonderful creation of nature. A huge palm tree stands proudly by the side of the road, and numerous Babui bird nests are hanging from its leaves. After stopping the bike, we were amazed for a while and saw the perfect weaving art of these tiny birds. The famous poem by Rajnikant Sen, which I read as a child - "Babui Pakhire Daki Boliche Charai..." came alive before my eyes.
​Without any modern equipment, degree or training, how they build such beautiful, strong and spectacular nests with just ordinary grass, straw and vines is truly a great wonder! These nests survive even in storms and rains. Zillur was surprised and said, "There is no greater engineer in the world than nature, and this palm tree is like a multi-storey building for Babui birds." This wonderful work of art by birds filled our minds with a strange peace at the beginning of our journey.

​The vastness of the Chalonbil and the long bridge with red and white railings:
We moved forward to the main part of the Chalonbil with fascination after seeing the bird's nest. As far as the eye can see, there is only water and a vast expanse of green aquatic plants. A calm canal flows through this vast canvas of sky and water, with a small boat moving slowly in the distance. A long bridge flows over this vast body of water, its railings beautifully painted in red and white.
We stopped our bikes and stood on this bridge for a while. During the monsoon, the Chalanbil regains its lost youth, and amidst the choppy water, this bridge is one of the most reliable and vital centers of communication between people on both banks. Standing on the bridge, we breathed in the open air. Looking at the vast body of water around us and the glitter of the distant sky, it seemed as if all the fatigue of the world had disappeared in an instant.

Glitter with water: Reflections of rural life on a boat:
Looking down from the bridge, a wonderful rural scene came into view. Two local people were slowly moving forward in a small wooden boat under the shade of a huge tree. One was sitting in front, and the other was steering the boat from behind with a log. The calm water around, the floating green leaves and the shade of the trees created a magical atmosphere.
​The boat is the main vehicle for the life and livelihood of the people of Chalonbil. When the surrounding area is submerged in water during the monsoon, the boat becomes their daily companion. Seeing their connection with the water, it seemed that life here is not as complicated or mechanical as in the city; life here is simple, slow and deeply connected to nature. The real joy of living is hidden in this simple life.

​The vastness of the ancient tree and its mysterious roots:
As we moved a little further along the bank of the lake, we came across some ancient and huge trees, which are witnesses to the centuries-old history of Chalonbil. Standing under a tree and looking up, I was fascinated by its huge branches and dense green foliage. It seemed as if the tree had carefully covered the entire sky with its branches!
Next to it, I saw numerous reddish aerial roots of another ancient banyan tree hanging down. When the golden afternoon sun melted through the leaves and fell on these aerial roots, the scene took on a magical form. I felt very small in front of this vastness of nature. Zillur took several pictures for himself in this wonderful frame.

​Green and lush rural roads:
The roads of the villages inside the Chalonbil are no less beautiful. As we were passing through these narrow, winding roads, there were rows of green trees and crop fields on both sides. The sweet sunshine coming through the leaves of these trees and the cool breeze blowing over the beel were completely refreshing our body and mind. The feeling of riding a bike along this quiet, deserted road is different! In contrast to the traffic jams and the sound of horns in the city, this silence here is like an absolute find.

Swarnadwip Coffee House and a touch of modernity:
Our next destination was one of the well-known entertainment centers in Chalanbil - 'Swarnadwip Coffee House and Picnic Spot'. We entered through a beautiful red arch on a bamboo road. It was really nice to see such a neat and beautiful place in the middle of this vast wetland.

Nearby, I saw a beautiful modern building surrounded by palm trees and a huge green field. All the wonderful arrangements have been made for the visitors to sit. It was clear that such a combination of modernity and nature is increasing the tourism potential of the Chalanbil area many times over. We spent some time sitting here enjoying the beauty of the beel.

Chalanbil Market and Juicy Summer Fruits:
While wandering around, we arrived right near the Chalanbil Market. Chalanbil Market means a different rural atmosphere, where the daily life of the local people can be seen from close quarters. Summer is the reign of mango and jackfruit, the king of fruits. I saw an elderly uncle sitting on the side of the road with a sack spread on the ground with several huge jackfruits and fresh raw mangoes for sale.
We were both quite surprised by the size of the jackfruits! The uncle had a mask on his face, and although his face showed signs of age, he spoke to us with a very smile. While bargaining for the price of the fruits from him, I got a touch of the traditional simplicity and sincerity of the rural people. This local market is like a meeting place for the people of the entire Chalanbil area.

We did not realize when the sun set in the western sky while wandering around like this. Chalanbil is not just a large wetland, it is like a living canvas - where nature, birds, water and human life are beautifully woven into one thread. When Zillur and I started our way home after this day's journey, a strange peace was working in both of our minds. This greenery and softness completely refreshed our minds before returning to the heart of the mechanical city. If you get the chance, you too can take time to visit this one of the most beautiful and vast wetlands in Bangladesh.
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