Madhabkunda Waterfall
Madhabkunda Waterfall, located at Moulvibazar district in Sylhet, is known as one of the highest waterfall of Bangladesh. The waterfall has been rolling down from the rocky hill of Patharia.
Gangamara is a stream flows over the Patharia hill. The stream flowed down from the edge of the hill, then it was named Madhab Chora. A huge hole or ‘kunda’ has been created below due to the waterfall falling from very high. This is how the waterfall was named Madhabkunda.
Madhabkunda Falls is 162 feet high. Water flows in the fountain throughout the year, but during the rainy season another small stream forms next to the main stream. In heavy monsoon, these two streams merge into one. The water of Madhabkunda Waterfall flows towards the west and descends into the Hakaluki Haor.
The main attraction for tourists who like to see the waterfalls is Madhabkunda Waterfall. As a tourist destination, it has gained recognition in the country and abroad. Bangladesh Porzoton Corporation has built a rest house and a restaurant near the falls. In addition, Madhabkunda Eco-park is being set up including the entire area at the initiative of the government.
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How to get to Madhabkunda
Madhabkunda is located at Barlekha in Moulvibazar district of Sylhet division. If you come just to visit Madhabkunda (from another division), there is no need to reach Sylhet city. If you travel by a bus, come directly to Moulvibazar. And if you travel by train, get off at Kulaura station without going to Sylhet. However, if you come by a plane, you have to come through Sylhet as there is no airport in Moulvibazar. The following two articles contain all the information about your journey from Dhaka to Sylhet by train and bus:
First arrive Kathaltali
If you travel by bus, get off at Moulvibazar and take a tomtom or rickshaw to Chandnighat. There you will find buses going to Barlekha. Both local buses and non-stop buses are available. We recommend a non-stop bus. In this way you will go from Moulvibazar to Kanthaltali. It will take about 2 hours. And if you want to go by CNG-powered autorickshaw, it is difficult to get a Barlekha bound CNG directly. In this case you have to choose a Kulaura going CNG first. After reaching Kulaura, you have to come to Kanthaltali by CNG again.
If you travel by Sylhet-bound train, get off at Kulaura station. Next to the station you will find Barlekha-bound CNG. Take any CNG and go to Kanthaltali. CNG will take 45 minutes to travel from Kulaura to Kanthaltali.
Sylhet to Madhabkunda
If you want to go to Madhabkunda via Sylhet, you can use either a bus or train from Sylhet. If you prefer buses, you will get both local and non-stop buses at Kadamtali in Sylhet. In case of bus travel on this route, take non-stop bus. Never board a local one. If you don’t get a non-stop bus, take a rickshaw from Kadamtali and go under the new bridge. Beanibazar-bound CNG will be available there. Then from Beanibazar, take another CNG and go to Barlekha. After coming to Barlekha by a bus or CNG, you will have to take a CNG again to reach Kathaltali. However, if you like, you can also go to Madhabkunda reserving a CNG from Barlekha.
Now let’s talk about the train. You can also go to Barlekha by trains from Sylhet if you want. But in this case you have to get off at Kulaura station. Next to the station you will find Barlekha-bound CNG, get on one of them and move towards Kathaltali.
Kathaltali to Madhabkunda
Your last race is Kathaltali to Madhabkunda. After landing at Kathaltali market you will find many CNGs which will go to Barakhala (local name Khalagau). If you want to get to the destination at a lower cost, you can go this way. Otherwise you have to reserve a CNG. Remember, no car can go directly to Madhabkunda from Kathaltali unless you reserve it. So if you plan to go to Madhabkunda from Barakhla Bazaar, you can go even if you don’t take a car. You can enter the hills and tea-garden areas with a rickshaw. Note that the rickshaw must be reserved. If you leave the rickshaw, it may be too late to get a car on the way back.
When to go to Madhabkunda
Many people choose the wrong time to go to Madhabkunda. Although winter is the ideal time to travel, it does not apply especially to visiting fountains. The rainy season is the best time to see the water. Visit Madhabkunda in the rainy season to mingle with the green nature and soak in the mist of the fountain. You will get plenty of water in the fountain then. Try to go around noon. Then you will have enough time to take a good look.
Where to eat
Honestly, it is difficult to find a good food restaurant in Barlekha. However, since you are going to see, not to eat food, so you can meet the need with what is available. Remember, neither the price nor the quality of the food is satisfactory. So good if you can take it with some food. You can buy food parcels from either Sylhet or Kulaura.
Madhabkunda Updates, May 2023
All tourist destinations in the country have been closed since April 2020 to curb corona infection in Bangladesh. As part of this, Madhabkunda Falls has been closed for more than a year. As a result, the waterfall and its surroundings have regained their original wild look. The walking path of the travelers is covered with grass and herbs. The monkeys are jumping in the trees. Crickets are chirping non-stop all around. Their chirping has made the whole forest clamorous. Meanwhile, it has been raining heavily for the last few days. That is why the stream is now strong and inebriate. You will now hear the roar of falling water from afar.