Patnitala correspondent 

Although the public holidays of Eid-ul-Azha are over, visitors are still flocking to entertainment centers. 

Since Eid day, people have been heading towards recreational spots despite the intense heat. By afternoon, crowds start to gather at various entertainment centers in Patnitala upazila of Naogaon. Nature lovers are capturing selfies, photos, and video footage with their mobile cameras. Some are even going live on social media (Facebook).

Historical Dibar Dighi’s ‘Victory Monument’ and fairground, Dibar Joyland Park, Patnitala 14 BGB Border Lake Park, Najeepur Municipal Park, Atrai River Bridge and sandy shores in Najeepur, Kanchan Dighi, Hazrat Zahur Uddin Chishti Shrine compound, Ghuksir Beel in Amair Union, and the bridge fairground on the bank of the Chhoto Jamuna River were all packed with visitors.

Notably, the crowd at Historical Dibar Dighi and the BGB Border Lake Park was significant, with people of all ages gathering in large numbers.

Having celebrated Eid, people are visiting these recreational sites to further enjoy the festive joy.

Visitors stated that places like Historical Dibar Dighi, Najeepur Municipal Park, and the BGB Border Lake Park in Patnitala upazila significantly enhance the Eid celebrations. Children, in particular, show great interest in visiting these spots. However, people of all ages enjoy spending time at these centers.

During on-site observation, it was seen that from Eid afternoon onwards, Patnitala’s entertainment venues were bustling with visitors. The crowd was relatively small in the morning of Eid day but increased as the day progressed. From the second day of Eid, the tourist spots of the upazila have remained lively with people of all ages.

Nazmul Islam, who visited Historical Dibar Dighi with his family, said, “Due to working in a private company, I rarely get time for my family. This time, I extended my Eid leave by two extra days. So we’ve come to visit Historical Dibar Dighi together.”

Hasan Zaman from Najeepur municipality said, “I work in Dhaka, but this time I’m spending Eid with my family. During the holidays, we came to visit the Patnitala 14 BGB Border Lake Park. The children are enjoying a lot. We’re all sharing the joy of Eid together.”

Meanwhile, due to the large number of visitors, traffic congestion was observed on roads adjacent to entertainment centers in Patnitala upazila, causing difficulties for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

Additionally, there have been allegations that battery-powered van and auto-bike drivers on these routes are charging excessive fares.

Raisul Islam, a government employee, said, “Since I celebrated Eid in Patnitala this time, I spent the holiday visiting entertainment centers. I went out with friends, but the auto-bike and charger van drivers are demanding high fares, which is causing problems.”

When asked about the complaint, charger van driver Sohel Rana openly admitted, “Since it’s Eid, we’re asking for a bit more fare, which is making passengers angry. We only get this kind of opportunity once or twice a year—what’s the harm in asking for a little Eid gift!”

However, ignoring the inconveniences, entertainment lovers are stepping out to share the Eid joy with family, friends, and loved ones. In this regard, the top entertainment spots in Patnitala now are the Historical Dibar Dighi, Najeepur Municipal Park, and the banks of the Atrai River. People are coming with families to breathe some fresh air near the river. Some are walking along the embankment, some on the sandy shores, while others are boating with their families. The buzz continues until evening.