The last bluish shadows of night still linger in the early morning sky as the first rays of sunlight spread across the horizon.
Gradually, a magnificent snow-covered mountain peak emerges in the distance — Kangchenjunga.
Sometimes reddish, sometimes pink and at other times dazzling white, the Himalayan peak looks like a living painting created by nature.
The opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Himalayas while standing on home soil, without a passport or visa, continues to draw visitors to Tetulia, in Panchagarh, the country’s northernmost border district.
After several days of waiting, tourists have been able to see Kangchenjunga’s mesmerising beauty for three consecutive days.
Visitors are capturing the breathtaking views on their mobile phones and cameras.
Many are also taking photographs with their loved ones to preserve memories of nature’s spectacular display.
The Himalayan peak has been visible from the border upazila over the past few days as cloud cover has cleared somewhat.
With the sky remaining relatively clear, the snow-covered summit has appeared distinctly on the distant horizon.
Its colours change as the sunlight grows stronger, creating a natural spectacle that fascinates tourists and nature enthusiasts.
However, changing weather conditions and cloud cover mean that Kangchenjunga is not equally visible every day.
The visitors can also see several mountains in India, along with lights shining from elevated areas.
The views allow tourists to take in the beauty of three countries from a single location — Bangladesh’s tea gardens and rivers, India’s mountains and the distant Kangchenjunga near India-Nepal border.
A visit to the area shows tourists gathering from early morning along the banks of the Mahananda River near the Tetulia Dak Bungalow.
From dawn throughout the day, visitors enjoy the spectacular views of Kangchenjunga from the riverside.
Tourists say Kangchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain and the second highest in the Himalayan range, offers a unique experience even when viewed from a distance.
Its immense scale and beauty leave a lasting impression, making it more than just a mountain peak for many visitors.
It also offers an opportunity to step away from the pressures of busy daily life and spend some time close to nature.
Tourists from different parts of the country, not just Panchagarh, are travelling to Tetulia with their families and friends to see the mountain. Alongside Kangchenjunga, they are visiting nearby attractions, including the tea gardens on the plains, Tetulia Dak Bungalow and its picnic corner, the banks of the Mahananda River, Banglabandha Zero Point, Anandadhara and other tourist spots across the district.
The banks of the Mahananda River and the area around Tetulia Dak Bungalow have become particularly popular, with a steady influx of visitors keeping the sites lively.
The arrival of tourists drawn by Kangchenjunga has brought renewed activity to the local tourism sector.
Residential hotels and resorts, both public and private, across Tetulia have reportedly been booked until 25 October.
The growing interest has also created business opportunities for local traders.
Some residents have prepared rooms in their homes to accommodate visitors and are renting them out, allowing them to earn additional income while providing tourists with more accommodation options.
However, local people and visitors believe that planned initiatives are needed to develop the tourism sector further.
They have called for better facilities for tourists, improved infrastructure, cleaner surroundings and better management of tourist attractions.
Ashik Iqbal, a college student who travelled from Dhaka, said he had come to Tetulia with his friends to see Kangchenjunga.
“The magnificent view of Kangchenjunga has mesmerised us,” he said.
Another young visitor, Sabiha Jannat Tuba, said she had experienced the beauty of three countries with her own eyes.
“I have been watching Kangchenjunga since dawn. My family and I are overwhelmed by its beauty,” she said.
Nazim Uddin, another tourist visiting Tetulia, said the beauty across the border was extraordinary, but the picnic corner and other tourism facilities in Tetulia needed further improvement.
He added that visitors could still spend their time exploring different places in Tetulia even if they could not see Kangchenjunga.
Van driver Abdul Based said the arrival of tourists increased sharply whenever Kangchenjunga became visible.
“Tourists flock to Tetulia when Kangchenjunga can be seen. We earn our living by taking them around and collecting fares. We earn well for three or four days, but business slows down considerably afterwards,” he said.
Abdul Motaleb, chairman of Meghaloy Resort at Tetulia Dak Bungalow, which was established through private initiative, said the area attracts large numbers of tourists between October and December when Kangchenjunga becomes visible.
“All our rooms have been booked until 25 October,” he said.
Jitendranath Ray, acting officer of the Tetulia Weather Observation Centre, said visibility of Kangchenjunga depended on weather conditions.
“Kangchenjunga can be seen when the sky is clear of clouds. Those planning to visit the area to see the mountain should check the weather forecast before travelling,” he advised.
SK Doel, president of the Tetulia Tourism Development Foundation, said tourists were flocking to Tetulia to see Kangchenjunga.
“We are demanding that Tetulia be declared a tourism city. Alongside private initiatives, we also seek the government’s attention to the development of the tourism sector in Tetulia,” he said.
Tetulia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Anwar Hossain said the administration had taken necessary measures to ensure security, transport and overall management for visitors.
He said tourist police and the administration were also working to ensure tourists’ safety, adding that further initiatives would be taken to promote tourism in the area.
