News Flash
By Faraji Ahmed Rafiq Baban
NATORE, April 3, 2025 (BSS) – The rare spring flower Parijat has bloomed on the premises of Uttara Ganabhaban, captivating visitors who are flocking to the 18th-century royal palace, also known as Dighapatia Palace, during the Eid holidays.
The buzzing of thousands of bees around the flowers made the surroundings more charming and attractive to visitors.
If visitors cross the lake along the entrance path of Uttara Ganabhaban, they will find two century-old Parijat flower trees.
Standing at about seven metres tall, this evergreen tree spreads like an umbrella, casting a wide shade. Its dense canopy of leaves prevents sunlight and heat from reaching the ground below. The stem and branches of the Parijat tree are similar to the Ashoka tree.
The formation of the green leaves is both beautiful and diverse, with the young leaves, resembling those of a banana tree, making the tree more remarkable and attractive.
The Parijat flower has been mentioned in various poems and songs in Bengali literature, celebrated for its unique features and beauty.
Novelist Bipradash Baraua in his ‘Gachhpala Tarulata’ book mentioned that the Deborshi Narada brought the Parijat from heaven. Shri Krishna gifted this flower to his wife.
National poet Kazi Nazrul wrote in a letter to his beloved wife Nargis about the Parijat flower, “Tomar Je Kolyan Rup, Ami Amar Kishore Boyeshe Prothom Dekhesilam, Se Rup Ajo Swarger Parijat-Mandarer Mote Amlan Hoyei Ase Amar Bokkhe.”
And Nazrul said in the song, “Poro Kuntale, Dhoro Anchole, Molino Prem-Parijat”.
Rabindranath Tagore wrote, “Parijat Keshor Niye Dharar Shashi, Chharao Ki A, Indropurir Kono Romoni Basor Prodip Jwalo.”
Uttara Ganabhaban’s official Noor Mohammad said although there are a total of six Parijat flower trees in the palace, the two trees on the left side after crossing the entrance are from the king’s era.
“These are over two hundred years old. The district administration has taken initiatives to spread this rare tree. Efforts are being made to make saplings,” he said.
During Eid holidays, Noor said, on average, five thousand visitors come here every day as they are fascinated by the beauty of Parijat.
“I come to Ganabhaban every year at this time because of the beauty of Parijat. I keep coming back,” said Asmaul Husna, a student of the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Islamic University, Kushtia.
Natore Deputy Commissioner and Uttara Ganabhaban Management Committee President Asma Shaheen said that despite the scorching heat, thousands of visitors are visiting the royal palace every day during the Eid holidays. For visitors, the spring flowers have become a symbol of peace.
