Loading...Approximately 450 years old, the Delhi Akhra (Delhi Akhra) is one of the most historical and tourist-worthy places in Kishoreganj District. If you think that this place is located somewhere in Delhi, India, you would be mistaken. In fact, it is situated at the far end of Mithamoin Upazila, in the haor area of Kishoreganj.
This Akhra is one of the most prominent attractions in the haor region. With rows of Hijol trees along the riverbanks, ancient walls and buildings, and a serene environment inside, any visitor is sure to be drawn in. Inside the Akhra are the tombs of the spiritual guru Narayan Goswami and his disciple Gangaram Goswami.
Other facilities include a dharmashala, natmandir, guest house, cooking area, and living quarters for Vaishnavas. There are two ponds on either side of the Akhra, and around it, the land is adorned with nearly three thousand Hijol trees, which stand tall amidst the broken soil, creating an amazing sight. These trees and the Akhra form part of the captivating beauty of the haor, which beckons everyone to visit.
Foundation of Delhi Akhra:
The Delhi Akhra was established during the reign of Emperor Jahangir in India, and it was founded by the spiritual guru Narayan Goswami.
History of Delhi Akhra:
There is a local legend surrounding the Delhi Akhra and the Hijol trees in the region. This story, which dates back about 450 years, revolves around the spiritual ascetic Narayan Goswami, who was a disciple of the spiritual guru Ramkrishna Goswami of the nearby Bitlanga Akhra. At that time, the area was full of dense bushes and forests, and there were no Hijol trees.
The area was surrounded by rivers, giving the Akhra site the appearance of an island. This water route was often dangerous, as boats traveling through it would capsize mysteriously or meet with other accidents. One day, a boat carrying supplies from the Mughal emperor in Delhi sank in the river. Despite many efforts, the boat could not be salvaged, and one of the crew members died from a snake bite.
Upon hearing the news, Ramkrishna, the spiritual leader from Bitlanga, instructed his disciple Narayan Goswami to come to the site. Following his guru’s command, Narayan Goswami came to the riverbank and began meditating. But soon, he was mysteriously thrown into the river, bound by invisible forces. He reappeared on the shore, and this occurred repeatedly for about seven days. One day, he heard a divine voice telling him to leave, as his presence was disturbing the local residents.
When Narayan Goswami asked, “Who are you?”, the voice responded, “We are the inhabitants of this place. We have lived here for generations, and your presence is causing us trouble.” Narayan Goswami, with his divine power, demanded that the spirits manifest themselves in visible forms, and immediately, these spirits appeared as fearsome demon-like figures.
The demons surrounded Narayan Goswami, but instead of fleeing, he spoke with them. A decision was made that Narayan Goswami could stay, and the demons would remain as well, as long as they followed his orders. Narayan Goswami commanded them to transform into Hijol trees. The demons, respecting the ascetic, transformed, and from that day onwards, they took the form of Hijol trees.
This miraculous transformation of demons into Hijol trees was believed to have occurred near the Akhra, which was then named ‘Sadhanbri.’ Even today, a tree near the Akhra is preserved, with a boundary wall built around it. On every Amavasya (new moon) and Purnima (full moon), offerings are made at this spot.
Hijol Trees and the Akhra Area:
The Akhra spans 372 acres of land, scattered with thousands of Hijol trees, each with unique shapes, inviting visitors from far and wide. The spiritual powers of Narayan Goswami reportedly raised the submerged boat and restored the life of the person who had died from the snake bite. After hearing about these miracles, Emperor Jahangir arrived at the site and, impressed by Narayan Goswami’s divine powers, gifted a large area of land for the establishment of the Akhra. This was the origin of the name “Delhi Akhra.”
In 1212, Emperor Jahangir wrote a copper plate inscription in the Akhra’s name, declaring the land as a gift. However, in 1370, bandits stole this copper plate, as reported by the caretakers of the Akhra. Every year, an 8-day fair is held at the Delhi Akhra, drawing people from the surrounding regions to celebrate.
How to Visit:
There are several routes to reach the haor area from Kishoreganj. The easiest way is to take a bus from Syedabad or Golapbagh, or a train from Kamalapur to Kishoreganj town.
Once you arrive at the station, you can take a rickshaw for about 10 minutes to Ekrampur. From there, an auto-rickshaw can take you to Mirikhali Bazar, which marks the entrance to the haor area. After crossing the threshold, you will need to take a boat.
The journey involves a boat ride that makes a rhythmic “dhuk-puk” sound, which will accompany you for the next 24 hours. While this may initially seem annoying, it will soon become a part of the experience. Once you board the boat, you can decide if you want to head straight to Delhi Akhra.
After visiting Delhi Akhra, you can spend the rest of the time exploring the surrounding areas, depending on the weather and circumstances. If it doesn’t rain, you can even sleep on the boat’s roof. There is also space inside the boat to sleep. Alternatively, you can stay at the local Dakbangla in the Upazila center.
If you wish to travel further, you can head towards the haor areas of Itna or Ashtagram by boat.
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