Chittagong - A sleeping beauty emerging from mists and water

Chittagong with its rolling green hills, dense forests, cool climate and broad sandy beaches, located in southern Bangladesh, is the second largest of the country's six administrative divisions.  Its green hills and forests, its broad sandy beaches and its fine cool climate always attract the sightseers from all over the world. Described by the Chinese traveller poet, Huen Tsang (7th century A.D) as "a sleeping beauty emerging from mists and water" and given the title of "Porto Grande" by the 16th century Portuguese seafarers.
Chittagong is an important zone for South Asia because it has a major seaport which is situated in convenient geographic location. Chittagong is the second largest city of Bangladesh and contains most of the natural wonders of the country. It is situated between hill tracts and the sea Bay of Bengal and on the bank of the river Karnaphuli.
Places of interest in Chittagong Division that will appeal to nature lovers include the beautiful Patenga Beach located where the fast-flowing river Karnaphuli empties into the sea, and the man-made Foy's Lake with its beautiful scenery and diverse flora and fauna - a favorite picnic spot with locals and visitors. The local culture is highly enriched in aspect of food and sociability. You will get wide variety of dishes all over the restaurants in Chittagong. The local inhabitants are very cordial and show highest hospitality to their guests.
Besides, Mini Bangladesh at Chandgaon and Jatisongho Park at Panchlaish. Religious sites in the Chittagong Division include the Shrine of Baizid Bostami, Baitul Falah and Chandanpura Mosque, while the Tribal Cultural Museumin the Hill Tracts of Chittagong provides insight into the tribes living in the hilly areas who still adhere to traditional tribal practices and values.
It is 264 km away east of Dhaka, renowned for its hilly landscape, natural beauty and for the seashore. Chittagong is also known of the town of Aulias (Muslim saints). Chittagong combines remains true to both the descriptions even today. It combines the busy hum of an active seaport with the shooting quiet of a charming hill town.Foy's Lake
Foy's Lake is a man-made lake in Chittagong, Bangladesh. It was created in 1924 by constructing a dam across the stream that came down from the hills in the northern part of Chittagong. The purpose of creating an artificial lake was to provide water to the residents of railway colony. It was named after Mr Foy who was a Railway engineer and believed to materialize the project.
Patenga
Patenga is a popular tourist spot. The beach is very close to the Bangladesh Naval Academy of the Bangladesh Navy and Shah Amanat International Airport. Its width is narrow and swimming in the seas is not recommended. Part of the seashore is built-up with concrete walls, and large blocks of stones have been laid to prevent erosion. During the 1990s, a host of restaurants and kiosks sprouted out around the beach area. Lighting of the area has enhanced the security aspect of visiting at night.
Most visitors come to Patenga Beach as it is known for having some of the most stunning sunsets and sunrises in Bangladesh.
The Chandranath Temple as a Shakti Peeth
The Chandranath Temple is considered as a Shakti Peetha, the revered shrines of Shaktism. The mythology of Daksha yaga and Sati's self immolation is the source mythology behind the origin of Shakti Peethas. Shakti Peethas are divine shrines of Shakti, due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi, when Lord Shiva carried it and wandered throughout Aryavartha in sorrow. There are 51 Shakti Peeth linking to the 51 alphabets in Sanskrit. Each temple have shrines for Shakti and Kalabhairava. The Right Arm of Sati Devi's corpse is believed to have fallen here. The Shakti is known by the name Bhavani.