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Bithangal Akhra stands as one of the most significant Vaishnav pilgrimage sites in Bangladesh.
This ancient monastery, dating back over 600 years, sits peacefully on the banks of the haor in Bithangal village.
The Akhra was founded in the 16th century by Shri Shri Jaganmohan Goswami, who came from Baghasura village in Madhabpur Upazila of Habiganj district.
After visiting many holy places across the Indian subcontinent, he chose this serene location to establish the Akhra.
The monastery holds deep roots in the Jaganmohani sect of Vaishnavism.
About 500 years ago, King Uchchabananda Manikya Bahadur of Tripura built two magnificent structures here using traditional construction methods.
The complex includes 120 rooms that once housed 120 Vaishnav monks.
In front of the main monastery stands a Nat Mandir (dance temple), with a storehouse on the east side and a Bhog Mandir (offering temple) on the south.
The Akhra preserves several remarkable artifacts from centuries past.
Among the most notable are a 25-maund (approximately 1,000 kg) white stone platform, brass thrones, ornate chariots used during festivals, silver vessels, and golden crowns.
These treasures speak to the wealth and importance this monastery once commanded in the region.
Even today, Bithangal Akhra remains a center of active worship and pilgrimage.
The monastery comes alive during several annual festivals that draw thousands of devotees from across the region.
The peaceful atmosphere, combined with the beauty of the surrounding haor landscape, makes this a truly special destination for spiritual seekers and history enthusiasts alike.
The journey to Bithangal Akhra, especially during monsoon season, offers a unique haor experience similar to visiting Ratargul Swamp Forest in Sylhet.
The wetland landscape with its vast water bodies is home to the Tripuri people and other indigenous communities.
For another significant pilgrimage site in the Sylhet region, visitors often also visit Hazrat Shah Jalal Mazar.
Free entry.
No admission fee required to visit the Akhra.
Donations to the monastery are welcome and appreciated.
Open daily from sunrise to sunset, approximately 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
During religious festivals, the Akhra may remain open longer.
Best to visit during daylight hours for the complete experience.
Plan to spend 2-3 hours at Bithangal Akhra.
This gives you enough time to explore the main monastery, the 120-room complex, the Nat Mandir, and the Bhog Mandir.
If you visit during a festival, you may want to stay longer to experience the celebrations.
The boat ride through the haor also adds travel time.
The best time to visit Bithangal Akhra is during the dry season when the haor water level drops.
This makes the journey easier as you can reach by road and on foot.
Each festival attracts 5,000 to 10,000 devotees.
The Akhra is located in Bithangal village, about 12 km southwest of Baniachong Upazila Sadar.
The journey varies greatly between seasons.
In dry season, roads become accessible.
In monsoon, only boats can reach the Akhra.
When visiting Habiganj, you can also explore Satchari National Park and Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary for a complete Habiganj experience.
Since this is a remote religious site, facilities are limited.
Visitors should bring:
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Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most important natural forests in Bangladesh. Located in Chunarughat upazila of Habiganj district, this 1,795 hectare sanctuary is the second-largest wildlife sanctuary in the country after the Sundarbans. The forest sits on the border with India's Tripura state, about 130 kilometers from Dhaka. **Why It's Special** This is one of the few forests in Bangladesh that remains mostly untouched. It was first declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1982 and later expanded in 1996. The forest is divided into four parts: Rema, Kalenga, Chonbari, and Rashidpur. The hills here rise up to 67 meters above sea level. **Amazing Wildlife** The forest is famous for its rich variety of animals. It is home to 37 mammal species, 167 bird species, 18 reptile species, and 7 amphibian species. The most special resident is the Black Giant Squirrel - Bangladesh's largest squirrel at over one meter long! This rare animal is found almost nowhere else in the country. **Rare Animals You Might See** You can find several endangered primates here including the [Hoolock Gibbon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoolock_gibbon) (Bangladesh's only ape), Capped Langur, Phayre's Leaf Monkey, and the cute slow-moving Bengal Slow Loris. These same species can also be observed at [Lawachara National Park](/tourist-places/lawachara-national-park) in nearby Moulvibazar. The forest also has Fishing Cats, barking deer, wild boar, and 18 types of snakes. **A Vulture Haven** Rema-Kalenga protects one of the last nesting sites of the critically endangered [White-rumped Vulture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-rumped_vulture) in Bangladesh. This makes the sanctuary very important for bird conservation efforts across the region. **Indigenous Communities** Several indigenous communities call this forest home. The Tripura people make up about 90% of the local population. You can also meet Santal, Munda, Kharia, and Urang communities who have lived here for generations and help protect the forest. **Part of a Larger Story** The sanctuary connects to [Satchari National Park](/tourist-places/satchari-national-park) and together they form an important corridor for wildlife movement in the greater Sylhet region. For accommodation and dining, the tea capital [Sreemangal](/tourist-places/sreemangal) is nearby with excellent resort options.
Satchari National Park is a beautiful rainforest in Habiganj district, about 130 kilometers from Dhaka. The name "Satchari" means "Seven Streams" in Bengali because seven small streams flow through this forest. It was set up as a national park in 2005 and covers 243 hectares (about 600 acres) of hilly land. **What Makes It Special** This forest sits on Raghunandan Hill in Chunarughat upazila. It is one of the last remaining homes of the endangered [Hoolock Gibbon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoolock_gibbon), Bangladesh's only ape species. The park is part of a larger protected forest corridor that includes the nearby [Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary](/tourist-places/rema-kalenga-wildlife-sanctuary), connecting habitats across the region. This makes it an important spot for wildlife conservation. **Wildlife You Might See** The park is home to about 200 animal species. You can find 24 types of mammals including the Hoolock Gibbon, Capped Langur, and Slow Loris. These same primates can also be spotted at [Lawachara National Park](/tourist-places/lawachara-national-park) in nearby Moulvibazar. There are also barking deer, wild boar, and several wild cats like the fishing cat and leopard cat. If you are lucky, you might spot the rare flying lizard that glides between trees! **Birds and Trees** Bird lovers will enjoy this place. Nearly 150-200 bird species live here, including the colorful Red-headed Trogon, Oriental Pied Hornbill, and Red Junglefowl. The forest has over 200 types of trees including Chapalish, Garjan, Teak, Agar, and Shal trees. **Local Community** Inside the park, there is a small Tipra (Tripura) village where about 24 indigenous families live. Visitors can learn about their traditional way of life and how they live in harmony with the forest. **Nearby Attractions** The park is surrounded by 9 tea gardens, with Satchari Tea Garden on the west and Chaklapunji Tea Garden on the east. You can combine your forest visit with a tea garden tour for a complete experience. The tea capital [Sreemangal](/tourist-places/sreemangal) is just 55-60 km away, making it easy to explore the famous [Sreemangal Tea Gardens](/tourist-places/sreemangal-tea-gardens) and the [Tea Museum](/tourist-places/tea-museum) during your trip.