Barishal is synonymous with rivers. Historically known as the Venice of Bengal, it is a city that lives on the water. The Kirtonkhola River is the lifeline here, and the Barishal River Port is one of the busiest and most chaotic hubs in the country. The defining experience of this district is the overnight launch journey from Dhaka. These massive, multi-story vessels arrive in the early morning, and the sight of the sun rising over the misty Kirtonkhola is unforgettable. For a more vintage experience, there are the Paddle Steamers or the 'Rocket' service. These British-era yellow steamers, with their massive paddle wheels churning the water, offer a nostalgic trip back to the 1920s. Barishal is also the rice bowl of the country. The local saying 'Dhan, Nodi, Khal, Ei Tiney Barishal' (Paddy, River, Canal, these three make Barishal) is entirely accurate. The landscape is crisscrossed by creeks and canals, keeping the soil lush and green year-round.
Culturally, Barishal is the land of the poet Jibanananda Das. Known as the poet of beautiful Bengal, he walked the streets of this town and wrote about the birds, trees, and rivers of this region. His ancestral home is a pilgrimage site for literature lovers who want to see the world through his eyes. The district is also famous for the Gutia Mosque or Baitul Aman Jame Masjid. It is an architectural marvel with a massive minaret and a complex that looks stunning when lit up at night, reflected in the large pond in front of it. Nearby is the Durga Sagar Dighi, the largest lake in the southern region, surrounded by coconut trees and walking paths, serving as a sanctuary for migratory birds in winter.
Agriculture here is abundant, but the hog plum (Amra) deserves special mention. Barishal grows the best hog plums in the country, which are sweet, crunchy, and exported everywhere. The people of Barishal are known for their distinct dialect, which is rapid, melodic, and often the subject of affectionate humor across the country. They are also known for their hospitality and a fighting spirit forged by living in a region that often faces the wrath of cyclones. Barishal is a district that feels fluid, where the boundary between land and water is always shifting.