The city of Dhaka has the honor of being the most densely populated city in the world. Also known as the “Rickshaw Capital of the World,” there are nearly half a million rickshaws, each colorfully decorated with its owner’s distinctive style and artistry. But Dhaka can be overwhelming, especially for western tourists who aren’t used to the speed and bustle of life in South Asian cities, but it can also be an incredible, vibrant experience to remember forever.

The city of Dhaka gets its name from the Dhakeshwari temple, whose origin is somewhat mysterious, even to local and international scholars. According to popular legend, it was built in the 12th century by Ballal Sen, a king based in what is now known as Myanmar. However, the architectural style and design, with tall, curvilinear pyramid roofs and decorative moldings on the walls, is unlike anything else built around that period. It is thought to have been renovated and rebuilt numerous times throughout history.

Legend has it that the Dhakeshwari temple is one of the Shakti Peethas, where one of the jewels from the crown of the goddess Sati fell. There was a huge celebration of the gods, but Sati wasn’t invited because her father, Daksha, disapproved of her marriage to Lord Shiva. She showed up anyway, but when her father disrespected her and insulted her husband she was unable to bear it, so she immolated herself. Shiva was enraged and distraught, so he gathered up all the pieces of his wife and began the dance to destroy the universe. The other gods managed to stop him, but in his mad grief, he scattered the pieces of Sati’s body and jewelry all across the South Asian region.

Regardless of what you believe, the temple is a holy site for the city of Dhaka, and if you’re lucky enough to be visiting around holidays such as Durga Puja, you can partake in the city-wide feasting and celebrations. The Janmashthami procession, which takes place on the Hindu god Krishna’s birthday, is a city-wide parade that begins at Dhakeshwari and ends in Old Dhaka.

Once in Old Dhaka, you’d have to be blind, deaf, and have no sense of smell to find a great place to eat. Main streets and alleyways are packed with restaurants, and if one place looks too full, you can take two steps down the street and look in the door of the next one. Food is generally excellent, and it costs the equivalent of one or two dollars for a meal. The restaurant-served meals are so cheap that you definitely shouldn’t try to eat from streetside vendors as the quality, health, and hygiene of their food is often questionable.

If you’re looking to get out of the craziness of Dhaka for awhile, check out Songargon about 29 km outside. A rural environment filled with temples, ruins, shrines and mosques alongside a peacefully flowing river. You can hire a rickshaw driver for the day and see iconic monuments like the tomb of Sultan Ghiyasuddin, or simply relax and luxuriate in the silence, green grass, and fresh air, so rarely found in the city.

There are many stunning examples of natural beauty to be found in Susang Durgapur, about 180 km outside of the city. If you’re itching to hike or boat through the wild jungles of South Asia, Susang Durgapur is a great opportunity to get out of the hectic city. Due to threat of monsoons, the winter months are the best time for this sort of excursion.

Images by joiseyshowaa (1 + 2 + 3), ahron, dnevill (1 + 2), ricephotos, wonderlane (1 + 2)

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