RE-EXPLORING LANGALBANDH: FROM THE SPIRITUAL TO TOURISTIC EXPERIENCE

In Bangladesh, Langalbandh is the most well-known “Tirtha Sthan” for Hindu devotees, located near Sonargaon in the Narayanganj district. About 1–1.5 million Hindu devotees travel from all over the nation, as well as from India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, to take the holy bath on the eighth day of the  Bengali month of Chaitra.

This location has long been neglected and is in poor shape. Every year, many accidents occur during the festival. After a 2015 incident in which 15 people died and numerous were injured, the authorities suggested that this area be developed correctly.

After a few physical and documentary surveys, here are some serious urban issues among many.

Narrow road: congestion of road during festivals/sacred journeys; poor condition of ghat & temple; discontinuation of ghat & temple; not pedestrian-friendly; lack of integrated urban planning; no clinic or emergency medical facilities; polluted water.

Dividing this problem into 3 phases, I worked out the solution step by step.

Phase 1: “Circulation and Road Network”

Phase 2: “Rethinking Ghat”.

Phase 3: “Proposal of supportive functionalities.

As many visitors come here for events and remain for a while. The celebration requires the setting up numerous temporary structures for shade and other purposes. Because of this, transient and multipurpose structures are more significant than permanent structures. Lastly, This sacred site plays a significant role in Bangladesh’s heritage. To build this sacred space, correct methods and analyses should be followed in light of the project’s unique nature. If the development in the contemplated phases is successful, more pilgrims and tourists will visit the historical holy place all year long, which will be a strong push for the development of the place’s and the nation’s economies.