Maheshkhali is an island in upazila Cox’s Bazar district. It is located just 12 km from Cox’s Bazar. Legend has it that this island was separated from the mainland as a result of a severe cyclone and tidal wave in 1559. About 200 years ago, this place was named after the Buddhist sage Maheshwar. Which is also known as Maheshkhali Island. Maheshkhali upazila has three small islands namely Sonadia, Matarbari and Dhalghata. This upazila has a reputation in the whole of Bangladesh for the production of betel, fish, dry fruits, shrimps, salt and pearls. You can travel from Maheshkhali Island by spending 4-5 hours from Cox’s Bazar.
Maheshkhali is the only hilly island in Bangladesh. Adinath temple is located on top of Mainak mountain in this island. The handicrafts of this island attract visitors and also the Adinath fair is held here in the month of Falgun of the year. There are several Bodh Viharas, wetlands and various species of animals here. Maheshkhali has Adinath Temple, Rakhine Para and Swarna Temple. If you want, you can visit from Jhaubagan and Charpara Beach. On the way you will see betel nut plantation and salt field. Maheshkhali’s drink is famous all over Bangladesh, so if you come here, you must think of drinking it.
How to go
There are two ways to reach Maheshkhali. One you have to come to Cox’s Bazar first and this route is most convenient for tourists going to Cox’s Bazar. Cox’s Bazar can be reached from Dhaka by road, rail, and air. Among the buses going to Cox’s Bazar from Dhaka are Syudiya, S Alam Mercedes Benz, Green Line, Hanif Enterprise, Shyamoli Paribahan, Sohag Paribahan, S. Alam Paribahan, Saint Martin Hyundai, etc. are notable. Bus fares range from Tk 900 to Tk 2500 per seat depending on the class. Also, if you want to travel directly from Dhaka by train to Cox’s Bazar, you can take the Cox’s Bazar Express or Tourist Express train from Kamalapur or Airport Railway Station. Also, if you want to come from Dhaka by train via Chittagong to Cox’s Bazar, you can take Sonar Bangla, Suborn Express, Trina-Nishitha, Mahanagar Prabhati/Godhuli trains from Kamalapur or Airport Railway Station as per your convenience. Train fare will be Tk 405-1398 per seat. Then you can come to Cox’s Bazar by S Alam, Hanif, or Unique Paribahan bus from Chittagong’s New Bridge area, Alankar Mor, Cinema Palace, or Dampara Bus Stand. Depending on the bus, the fare will be Tk 420 to Tk 1000.
Bangladesh Biman, NovoAir, US Bangla Airlines, and Air Astra operate direct flights from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar. Airfare from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar ranges from Tk 4,599 to Tk 12,000.