‘Parijat’ enthrals visitors at Uttara Ganabhaban during Eid holidays. Photo : BSS

By Faraji Ahmed Rafiq Baban

NATORE, April 04, 2025 (BSS) - Rare spring flower Parijat has bloomed on the premises of Uttara Ganabhaban, captivating visitors who are flocking to the 18th-century royal palace, also known as Dighapatia Palace, during the Eid holidays.

The buzzing of thousands of bees around the flowers made the surroundings more charming and attractive to visitors.

If visitors cross the lake along the entrance path of Uttara Ganabhaban, they will find two century-old Parijat flower trees.

Standing at about seven metres tall, this evergreen tree spreads like an umbrella, casting a wide shade. Its dense canopy of leaves prevents sunlight and heat from reaching the ground below. The stem and branches of the Parijat tree are similar to the Ashoka tree.

The formation of the new green leaves is both beautiful and diverse, with the young leaves, resembling those of a banana tree, making the tree more remarkable and attractive.

The Parijat flower has been mentioned in various poems and songs in Bengali literature and celebrated for its unique features and beauty.

Novelist Bipradash Barua in his ‘Gachhpala Tarulata’ book mentioned that the Deborshi Narada brought the Parijat from heaven. Shri Krishna gifted this flower to his wife.

National poet Kazi Nazrul wrote in a letter to his beloved wife Nargis about the Parijat flower, “Tomar Je Kolyan Rup, Ami Amar Kishore Boyeshe Prothom Dekhesilam, Se Rup Ajo Swarger Parijat-Mandarer Moto Amlan Hoyei Ase Amar Bokkhe.”

And Nazrul said in the song, “Poro Kuntale, Dhoro Anchole, Molino Prem-Parijat”.

Rabindranath Tagore wrote- “Parijater Keshor Niye Dharai, Shashi, Chharao Ki E, Indropurir Kon Romoni Basor Prodip Jwalo.”

Uttara Ganabhaban official Noor Mohammad said although there are a total of six Parijat flower trees in the palace, the two trees on the left side after crossing the entrance are from the king’s era.

These are over two hundred years old. The district administration has taken initiatives to make the Parijat flower and its tree popular. Efforts are also being made to make saplings, he said.

During Eid holidays, Noor said, on an average, five thousand visitors came here every day to enjoy the fascinated beauty of Parijat.

“Parijat blossoms this time every year. So I come here each year this time to enjoy its beauty. I hope to come here again and again,” said Asmaul Husna, a university student.

Natore Deputy Commissioner and Uttara Ganabhaban Management Committee President Asma Shaheen said that despite the scorching heat, thousands of visitors are coming to the royal palace every day during the Eid holidays.

For visitors, the spring flowers have become a symbol of beauty.