Kaliganga River, Manikganj

^{As-Salamu Alaykum (Peace Be Upon You)}

Cover Photo

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A panoramic view of the river

Today, I want to share a few thoughts about a beautiful river that flows past my mother's home village. What surprised me most was the name of the river shown on Google Maps. While the local villagers have always known it as a branch of the Jamuna River, the map labeled it as the "Kaliganga River". I visited this village many times in my life but it was a weird name that I had never heard used in the area.

Aesthetic river view in the cloudy weather

Map	Location Code Of Kaliganga River
Steem-atlas	[//]:# (!steematlas 23.9616296 lat 89.7936292 long Kaliganga River d3scr)
Google Map	XQ6V+MF2 Daulatpur, link

Coordinates	23.9616296, 89.7936292
Village	Lautara
Upazilla	Daulatpur
District	Manikganj

The river looks more amazing when the boats can be seen at the edge of the river

It made me wonder if the official name is indeed Kaliganga, while locals simply refer to it as part of the Jamuna. Maybe both names are correct in their own way. But personally, I prefer to think of it as a branch of the mighty Jamuna River, because that’s the name that holds meaning and memory for me.

Fishing nets have been laid in this shallow part of the river

People live near the banks of rivers where they are very high

Just like the name, the origin of the river also surprised me when I looked it up on the map. Bangladesh is known as the land of rivers, and most rivers here aren’t too far from one another. While observing the Kaliganga River on Google Maps, I noticed something interesting and it appears to be connected to the Dhaleshwari River.

You can see some houses or shelter near the bank of the river

This picture shows you the clear view od the houses near the edge of the river

Not only that, but there also seems to be some link between Kaliganga and the Jamuna, Brahmaputra, and even the Padma River. It's fascinating how these rivers might be connected in one way or another, forming a vast and complex water network. These hidden connections remind me just how deeply Interconnected rivers are into the geography and life of Bangladesh.

The small village located on the other side of the river

After sharing my thoughts about the unusual name and the mysterious origin of the river, I now want to talk about its beauty and the role it plays in the lives of the people in Lautara village.

An unique view of the rive. Dry spots have emerged in some parts of the river due to low rainfall

This river is surrounded by a quiet, hidden charm that feels like a true gift from the Almighty. Flowing through a deep rural area, far from busy towns and cities, it remains mostly unexplored by outsiders. That’s why many people have no idea how breathtaking a river passing through a village can be.

A machine have installed in the river for some reason

I think this machine was installed for river dredging or to extract sand from the river

For the villagers, this river is more than just water, it’s a part of their daily life, their untold stories, economy and their natural surroundings. Its calm flow, white and green banks, and peaceful atmosphere make it a truly special place, full of natural beauty waiting to be appreciated.

In some places, the river has dried up and taken a round shape

This pipe is connected to the machine I have shown above, and some bamboo-made support is provided on the river to keep the pipes above the water

I noticed that some dredging machines have been placed in parts of the river to restore its flow. It reminded me of my childhood days, when I used to swim in this river, but on the opposite side. Back then, the river’s course was different. However, due to river erosion over the years, the flow has changed significantly. Now, the river passes much closer to my uncle’s house.

The river here takes a love shape

The people of the river area cultivate corn in the wastelands near the river

Sadly, river erosion has forced many families to lose their homes. Some people became homeless, while others had to move their entire lives from one place to another. I still remember a time when the river came dangerously close to the village school. It was a deeply worrying situation. But by the grace of Almighty Allah, the river eventually changed direction just before reaching the school, sparing it from destruction. It truly felt like a miracle.

Some beautifil land near the river bank

The view of the lands along the riverbanks makes it seem as if these lands extend over an endless area

Now, even during the rainy season, the river has become so shallow in some places that people can often walk across it on foot. The fact that rivers are constantly changing by nature serves as a reminder that things can change at any time.

Another machine for river dredging has been installed here

Human footprints walking along a dry riverbed

But despite all these changes, the people who live by the river never lose hope. They rebuild their homes near its banks, plant crops in the dry riverbeds, and try to make the best of what life gives them. They carry on, letting go of past sorrows and focusing on what they can create anew. That is the spirit of river life: ever-changing but always full of hope and determination.

A cluster of villages located near the riverbank. The government has built these houses for the people along the riverbanks whose homes have been washed away by the river

Some seedlings have been planted in the lands along the riverbanks

Even with all the changes and challenges in the river area, I can never forget the beauty of this place. This branch of the Jamuna River holds a quiet, timeless charm that’s hard to describe. The landscape around it has a finesse that feels untouched and peaceful. During the dry season, the riverbed can appear desert-like, with nothing but sand stretching across it. But when the conditions are right, the riverbanks turn green as locals grow corn and other crops. From an interesting perspective, it's a dramatic alteration that shows how river life constantly shifts between dryness and growth which fascinates me.

A bamboo bridge to cross the river

Most of the river is dry due to lack of rain

One thing I found truly fascinating was the weather, it could start raining at any moment, and then suddenly turn bright and sunny. It was unpredictable, but somehow that made it even more enjoyable for me. There’s something special about feeling both the coolness of the rain and the warmth of the sun in the same day. It’s a simple but unforgettable experience that adds to the magic of this riverside life.

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Mesmerzing view of the river area during the sunset

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After witnessing the diverse nature and lifestyle around the river, what touched me most was the beauty of the sunset by the riverbank. During my stay in the village, I sometimea went to the rivernank in the late afternoon just to watch the sunset and it was truly breathtaking.

The river looked especially aesthetic at that hour, almost magical. The water reflected the fading light so well that I felt as if the sun was slowly sinking into the river. Watching the sunset from the riverbank was one of the most peaceful and memorable moments of my visit.

It would have been even more enjoyable if I could have taken a boat ride along the silent river during sunset. A few boats were parked at the edge, gently swaying, as if waiting for someone to set off. But the riverbank was completely empty at that time. There was no one, no sound, just silence and golden light.

There was a quiet loneliness in that moment, like I was experiencing something beautiful all by myself in the vast, empty riverbed. It felt like standing alone in a desert made of water and light. Yet, that silence made it even more special. It was a rare moment for me, one that I may only experience a few times in my life or perhaps never again. This river held a unique and unforgettable memory for me.

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Thank you for reading ❤️

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