Jhalokati (ঝালকাঠি): travel guide

Canal-crisscrossed district known for the Bhimruli floating guava market.

Jhalokati is in Jhalokati district, Barishal division, Bangladesh. Compare bus, train and air fares to Jhalokati and see the route on a map.

Things to do in Jhalokati

  • Sujabad Fort ruins (Bhutergarh): Ruins linked to Mughal prince Shah Shuja, who reportedly built two forts here in 1654; visible from the Barishal-Jhalokati highway. Historical, free entry
  • Bhimruli Floating Guava Market (ভিমরুলী ভাসমান পেয়ারা বাজার): The biggest of the floating guava markets, held from boats on the Kirtipasha canal at Bhimruli in Jhalokati Sadar upazila, near where Barishal, Jhalokati and Pirojpur meet; traders sell guava and other fruit from boats in season. Market, free entry, best time: July-September (August is peak), early morning
  • Galua Paka Masjid (গালুয়া পাকা মসজিদ): Old domed brick mosque in Durgapur village, Rajapur upazila, about 1 km east of Galua bazar, listed as a heritage monument. Religious, free entry
  • Khanbari Old Jami Mosque (খানবাড়ি মসজিদ): Old multi-domed mosque complex in Angaria village, Rajapur upazila, listed as an archaeological site. Religious, free entry
  • Gabkhan Bridge (গাবখান সেতু): 918 m road bridge over the Gabkhan Channel just west of Jhalokati town, opened in 2002; a popular spot for river views. Landmark, free entry
  • Kirtipasha Zamindar Bari (কীর্ত্তিপাশা জমিদার বাড়ি): Ruined 18th-19th century estate of the Kirtipasha zamindars about 5 km from Jhalokati town, with an old Durga temple, shrines and a Sati Daha Mandir; parts now house schools. Historical, free entry
  • Saturia Mia Bari (birthplace of A.K. Fazlul Huq) (শেরে বাংলা এ. কে. ফজলুল হকের জন্মস্থান, সাতুরিয়া): Old brick house of the Mia family at Saturia, Rajapur upazila, where Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq was born on 26 October 1873 at his maternal grandparents' home; listed as an archaeological site. Historical, free entry

Where to stay in Jhalokati

  • Jhalokati Circuit House (Budget), about ৳200 - ৳400/night. Government circuit house (built 1990); mainly for officials and guests, run by the Nazarat Deputy Collector - ask the DC office about availability.
  • Dhanisiri Rest House (Budget), about Check with hotel for current rates. Licensed rest house with 23 rooms (single, double and triple) listed on the district portal.

Travel advice for Jhalokati

  • Guava from the Bhimruli floating market: The guava orchards around Bhimruli (about 10 km by road from Jhalokati town) are sold from boats at the floating market on the Kirtipasha canal; the harvest runs roughly July to September, so it is a seasonal treat.
  • Getting to Bhimruli from Dhaka: Take the overnight launch from Dhaka's Sadarghat to Barishal, then an auto-rickshaw or car to Bhimruli (about 30 km, around an hour). By bus from Barishal's Rupatoli stand, a Khulna-bound bus to Kirtipasha Mor costs about Tk 60, then a shared auto to Bhimruli about Tk 20-30.
  • Reach Bhimruli early in the guava season: The guava market runs about July to September, with August the best month. Go early: the market is busiest in the morning and new sellers usually stop arriving after 11 am. Bhimruli itself is in Jhalokati district.
  • Jhalokati rasgolla: Juicy rasgolla made from cow's milk chhana, a century-old Jhalokati tradition (about Tk 25 a piece in 2023). Known shops: Nagen Ghosh at Sadhanar More, Gopal Ghosh at Boro Bazar, Naren Kuri at Hogalpatti, Muslim Mistanna Bhandar at Sadar Chowmatha and Devnath Mistanna Bhandar in Kamarpatti.
  • Bus and shared auto to Bhimruli: Bhimruli can be reached by bus, private car or auto-rickshaw from Jhalokati town via Kirtipasha (about 10 km). From Barishal, Khulna-bound buses stop at Kirtipasha Mor, from where shared autos go to Bhimruli.

More places to explore in Bangladesh

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