Beauty behind the veil

After what seems like an interminable journey through the depths of a man-made tunnel, the light at the end signifies a spiritual beginning. Here, nestled among the hills, lies Shahenshah’s cave in southeast Bangladesh.
The mystical man’s natural abode is enchanting. There is an evident drop in the temperature; cold yet magically refreshing. Moistened cave-walls give off a permanent fragrance of rain, heightening the sense of calm. This magical place is located right in Marine Drive, Cox’s Bazaar, a stretch of road with the vast ocean on one side and hills and waterfalls on the other, and is the first of the many picnic spots of its type.
Travelling on, we visit the now famous “observation tower”, where a famed poet comes once in a while, to find his muse. The entire place is a cornucopia of history, mystery, poetry and of course romance.
But the fact that Cox’s Bazaar has a lot more to offer than meets the eye, is no surprise. The well-travelled route to Himchari has plenty of scenic spots sprinkled along the way. Entering Himchari, one may opt to take the narrow road leading away from the famous waterfall in favour of a less travelled path. This narrow road leads directly towards yet another waterfall, one which most people aren’t aware of. This area, however, is more isolated and hence the allure of nature is more pronounced.
Having seen the sights of Cox’s Bazaar, it’s time to head off towards different pastures and 45 minutes later, we’re sitting in a speedboat on out way to Moheshkhali. Host to one of the biggest hubs of fish in the country, Moheshkhali is also where the famous Adhinath Temple is located, atop the summit of Mainik Hill.
Besides Adhinath Temple, a dedication to the Hindu god Shiva, there are various another Hindu and Buddhist temples to explore. The rickshaw-pullers of the area act as the local guides and take us to all seven of the famous spots on the little island.
We end our tout with a walk along the jetty, which was a gift from the King of Nepal. Almost one kilometre long, it’s like standing on the edge of the wall, with the horizon seemingly never-ending.
Cox's Bazaar's beauty doesn’t just end with the longest stretch of sea beach. There are many more hidden treasures to discover. Spend a few days in this less visited part of Bangladesh – you’ll be glad you did.

IF YOU GO
Thai Airways International has direct flights from Bangkok to Dhaka as well as to Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, with an unbroken 125 km of sandy sea beach with a gentle slope, is a fishing port 150 kilometres south of Chittagong.