More Places in Habiganj
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Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary
Habiganj
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.
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Nabiganj Tea Gardens
Habiganj
Nabiganj Tea Gardens is a beautiful tea-growing area in Nabiganj upazila of Habiganj district. The area is home to two well-known tea estates - Bawani Tea Estate and Imam Tea Estate - that together create a green carpet of tea bushes stretching across the rolling hills. **A Part of Habiganj's Tea Heritage** Habiganj district is famous for its tea industry, with 24 tea gardens spread across Chunarughat, Madhabpur, Bahubal, and Nabiganj upazilas. The tea gardens of Nabiganj are among the more peaceful and less crowded options for visitors who want to experience authentic tea plantation life without the tourist rush. For more information about Bangladesh's tea industry, visit the [Bangladesh Tea Board](https://teaboard.gov.bd/). **What You'll See** The tea gardens here offer a wonderful view of neat rows of tea bushes covering gentle hills. The dark green tea leaves against the blue sky create a picture-perfect scene. Unlike the busier tea gardens of Srimangal, Nabiganj offers a quieter, more relaxed experience where you can really take in the beauty of nature. **Tea Plucking Season** The best time to see the gardens in full activity is during the tea plucking season from May to October. During this time, you can watch tea workers (mostly women) carefully picking the top leaves from the bushes. Each worker carries a basket on their back and skillfully selects only the best leaves for making quality tea. **Local Culture** The tea gardens are home to a community of tea workers, many of whom come from families that have worked in tea estates for generations. Their simple lifestyle and warm hospitality add to the charm of visiting these gardens. You might get a chance to taste fresh tea made from locally picked leaves. **Nearby Attractions** From Nabiganj, you can easily visit other attractions in Habiganj like [Satchari National Park](/tourist-places/satchari-national-park) and [Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary](/tourist-places/rema-kalenga-wildlife-sanctuary). For a more extensive tea experience, head to [Sreemangal](/tourist-places/sreemangal), the tea capital of Bangladesh, where you can visit the famous [Sreemangal Tea Gardens](/tourist-places/sreemangal-tea-gardens), [Malnichhera Tea Garden](/tourist-places/malnichhera-tea-garden) (the oldest tea garden), and the [Tea Museum](/tourist-places/tea-museum).
Bithangal Akhra
Habiganj
**Ancient Vaishnav Monastery** Bithangal Akhra stands as one of the most significant [Vaishnav](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnavism) 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. **Historical Significance** 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. **Sacred Treasures** 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. **Living Tradition** 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 Haor Experience** The journey to Bithangal Akhra, especially during monsoon season, offers a unique haor experience similar to visiting [Ratargul Swamp Forest](/tourist-places/ratargul-swamp-forest) in Sylhet. The wetland landscape with its vast water bodies is home to the [Tripuri people](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripuri_people) and other indigenous communities. For another significant pilgrimage site in the Sylhet region, visitors often also visit [Hazrat Shah Jalal Mazar](/tourist-places/hazrat-shah-jalal-mazar).