The Lost Pilgrim

        Ahlan-Sahlan! I am Arafat Hossain. I am in a quest of finding purpose in life. An obligatory method to fulfill my destiny is wandering around places to tune my spirit with the wonders of the nature. I am not that typical traveller or a fanatic who travels aimlessly to explore every corner of the world. I consider myself a pilgrim in pursue of contentment through the wonder of the nature. This blog is one of its kinds, which provide both travel infos in addition to the philosophical illustration of a purposeful journey.        

[arafatmsj-blog]

Narikel Jinjira - Asylum of the Soul

Back in 2008 when I was having a meditation lesson, my teacher asked me to think of a place which I would LOVE MOST to be in. The scenario I imagined was- standing in front of a seashore. To relive that imagination into reality, I decided to make a spiritual journey into the island called Narikel Jinjinra. It is also popularly known as “Saint Martin Island” but I purposefully choose not to call it by that name due to my anti-colonial disposition.

It was 2015 when I made that memorable tour to Narikel Jinjira. Prior to that year, my youngest uncle leased a resort in that island. That helped my convenience to stay on the island for some days. Basically, no one lives there for more than 2 or 3 days due to the expensive rents.

I first reached Teknaf in the morning in a night coach. Then I took a ship to the island. Before I planned to leave for the island, I checked the date of full Moon so that I can enjoy a full Moon night in the island. The journey from Dhaka to Narikel Jinjira is quite a hassle.

Finally, I set my foot on the island. The roaring of the waves all around the island gave an insta- energizing feeling of endowment with nature. The struggles of the journey are forgotten in a snap. The name of the island was derived by the abundance of the coconut tree. From the very first day, I started drinking a hell lot of green coconuts.

The following day of my arrival is the full Moon night. I was so excited for that night. I requested the manager of the resort to reserve for me an isolated place in the beach so I can enjoy and feel the night in solitude. When the night arrived, and the Moon was on the top of the head; the scenery was spectacular. Due to Moon’s gravity, the roaring of the sea got louder. It was a moment of my life. I tried to make a connection with the force of the sea and the strength of the Moon. It was the moment I energized my spirit in the presence of such mighty nature. I recalled that memory of my meditation lesson. I felt a sense of accomplishment by bringing my imagination into reality. The most interesting part of my tour on the island was that I slept every night in a tent alongside the seashore.

The rest of the week I spent the island, by exploring and engaging with the locals, trying to understand their culture. A unique trait I noticed in the people of Narikel Jinjira. They are unconditionally humble and their level of honesty is unthinkable. An aged man told me that, I could spend a night lying on the beach with a million buck and no one would dare take a penny from me. It’s like they are inherently good people.

My journey in Narikel Jinjira was an epic one. I made a lot of memories. I had spiritual tranquility staying on the island. Ever I find my spirit in dismay; I would rush back in that island without a second thought.

[arafatmsj-blog]

Srimongol - A divine Refuge

It was the year 2012 when I finished my O-level, the first thing I wanted to do was to make a tour out of the city for a week at least to refresh my soul and mind out of the academic hassle I just passed through. I was desperate to move out, but I would never make a hasty decision to make a soul refreshing journey. Giving enough thought for a couple of days, and doing quite a research on our countries geography; I finally felt from the depth of my heart that I would visit Srimongol for spiritual refreshment.  

I felt a lucky charm when I discovered that a relative of mine lives in the heart of Srimongol, very close to the tea garden. I immediately contacted them and informed that I was coming to stay there for a week and explore the infamous tea garden of Srimongol.

I never traveled on a train. My Srimongol trip was the first time journey on a train. Since it was my first time on a train, I wanted to take every bit of pleasure on a train journey. Therefore I booked an entire cabin so I can enjoy the ride all by myself within a confined compartment without any annoyance of the crowd. Well, some may argue that the ride with the crowd can provide a different taste of experience and hence while returning to Dhaka I did took a passenger seat. It was indeed quite a struggling experience.

I reached Srimongol in the late evening. My relative welcomed me with a great honor since it was my first time in Srimongol. I was not surprised at their hospitality as I felt it is a common nature of the people of our Indian subcontinent.

In the following morning of my arrival, I took off to explore the tea garden. Good grace, I got out very early in the morning! The early morning atmosphere in the midst of the tea garden surrounded by endless greenery gave me such divine tranquility. It was very calm and quiet except for the melodious chirping of the birds. I barely noticed any human being passing by. I slowly walked through the tea garden, trying to feel every leaf of the tea trees. I often stopped and meditated in the middle of the garden. Every corner the eyes gazed was full of green. My mind was wondering, is Heaven this beautiful? The curve of the hills was like divine artworks. I felt my soul getting recharged.

I stayed in the garden and wandered around the entire day till the Sun fell down and it got dark. I was not satisfied. It was not enough. I returned the next day in the garden. I wanted to connect with nature. I wanted to communicate with them. Share all the struggles of the hellish city life. For an entire week, I visited the tea garden every day until my soul was satisfied.

At the end of the week, my relative bought me a train ticket, and I was back in Dhaka, resuming the unpleasant materialistic life.