Flower festival gains momentum in Chattogram

A Colorful flower festival is gaining momentum running at DC Park in  Fouzdarhat area here.

Flower lovers crowd every day at the festival and spend times with their dear and near ones.
Talking to BSS, Hashem Ali, an employee of a private organisation in Chalkbazar area said, he visited the venue earlier, but this year there is a gulf of difference in  arrangement.

Expressing joy, Samira Ali along with her friends from Chattogram College said, ‘We can’t imagine how a beautiful festival can be arranged . It’s wonderful.

We become very astonished to see the colourful eye-catching flowers.”

Anwar Uddin and Husneara, a couple, often visited the DC Park after opening the month-long flower festival.

Lauding the flower festival, they thanked the authorities for arranging the event like the previous year.

According to Chattogram District Administration, DC Park, developed in 2023 on a 194-acre piece of government-owned land reclaimed from encroachers who grabbed it 10 years ago, has become a popular recreational destination.

Once a hotspot for drug abuse and illegal activities, the park now boasts two large lakes for boating and kayaking, alongside a dedicated children’s zone, making it a family-friendly attraction.

In addition to the diverse floral displays, the festival offers various cultural activities, including violin performances, movie screenings, traditional doll dance shows, a kite festival, a book fair, a pitha festival, and a multicultural celebration.

Visitors will need to pay an entry fee of Tk 50, up from Tk 30 last year, with tickets available both onsite and online for convenience. To ease access, tourist and shuttle buses will operate from Tiger Pass for those travelling from the city centre.

Every day, cultural events showcasing Bangladesh’s rich traditions will be held within the park. The festival will conclude with a grand concert on 4 February.

The executive magistrate of the district administration and project director of the Park Md Alauddin, said people throng the festival especially on holidays.

“We have planned how can the visitors enjoy the festival with comfort avoiding stress.

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam said, “The flower festival, started on January 4, is the third edition of the event initiated by the district administration. This year, the park is also illuminated in the evenings to enhance the attraction.”

“Flowers are symbols of beauty and love, captivating people and inspiring good virtues. Through this festival, many people grow closer to flowers and may their hearts soften like those , fostering unity, love, and stronger bonds in society,” she added.

The month-long event features over 100,000 plants from 136 different species, sourced from both local and international vendors.

This year’s festival introduces a unique floating flower garden alongside a traditional rural fair, where visitors can also purchase flowers from designated stalls.

Cabinet Secretary Abdur Rashid officially inaugurated the festival on January 4. (BSS)