Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, May 31 (BSS) - A vibrant wave of Eid-ul-Azha joy has swept through Rajshahi, drawing thousands of ecstatic holidaymakers to the banks of the majestic Padma River and the city's bustling amusement hubs. 

From the very afternoon of Eid day, people from all walks of life -- clad in their finest, most colorful attire -- poured into recreation spots, transforming the city into a festival of laughter, energy and shared happiness.

The true heartbeat of Rajshahi's Eid celebrations belongs to the mighty Padma. The riverbanks came alive as friends, couples and families gathered to breathe in the fresh air, dip their feet in the cool water and witness the breathtaking sunset.

Speeding across the river in motorized launches or traditional country boats emerged as the ultimate holiday thrill. On the expansive sandbars, groups of youths play football, while others relax, enjoying the region's famous mangoes alongside popular street treats like fuchka, chotpoti and jhalmuri.

"There is no place for entertainment in our area, so I came here with my family," shared Keya Sultana, a visitor from Lalpur, adding that the scenic escape would be perfect with a few more seating arrangements. 

Golam Mostofa, a local high school teacher, marvelled at the transformation, noting that while the riverbank used to be deserted, it now draws massive crowds from morning until 8pm.

Interestingly, a major catalyst for this tourism surge is a massive Tk 722.24 crore riverbank protection and dredging project implemented a few years ago. Once-vulnerable stretches across Charghat and Bagha upazilas including Mirganj, Gokulpur, Yusufpur and Chakrajapur have been beautifully reinforced. These engineered embankments have now inadvertently turned into scenic hotspots, attracting crowds from dawn until late into the evening.

Shafiqul Islam Sheikh, executive engineer of the Rajshahi Water Development Board, has watched this transformation firsthand. 

"Hundreds of people from different areas come to visit these embankments every day," he noted, adding that during the Eid holidays, the surge of visitors reclaiming the riverbanks has been absolutely unprecedented.

Within the metropolis, the heaviest rush focused on Padma Garden, the iconic T-Badh and Lalon Shah Park, where visitors packed the winding, staircase-like gallery to admire the panoramic river views. 

Nearby, the historic shrine of Hazrat Shah Makhdum (RA) saw a beautiful blend of spiritual devotion and recreation, as devotees gathered for prayers before heading down the City Corporation's grand staircase to the river ghat.

The festive fervor was equally electric at the city's major amusement parks. Shaheed Zia Shishu Park and Shaheed Kamaruzzaman Central Park buzzed with the excited screams of children enjoying the rides. 

Holidaymakers didn't just come from the city; thousands traveled from distant corners of the district, arriving in packed buses, mini-trucks, pickup vans, and auto-rickshaws. Whether returning home to Rajshahi after a long absence or visiting from neighboring areas, the overwhelming crowds proved that the spirit of Eid is best celebrated together, under the open sky.