The construction of the central Eidgah in Gopalganj was completed this April and the ground hosted the biggest Eid-ul-Fitr congregation in the town.
Now the local people hang around the ground or take a walk regularly because of the modern architectural design and the red-white-green colour combination.
The ground has green grass and there are flower plants beside the walkway along the boundary walls. Modern lamp posts that have been installed on both sides of the wide walkway are illuminated every evening.
Dhaka TribuneBoth the Mehrab at the entrance and the Mimber or minbar (the pulpit from which the sermon is delivered) are coloured in red and white and depict archways. The beautiful Mehrab of 12.55-metre height has four arch entrances.
The ground can accommodate around 50,000 people, according to the authorities.
The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has built the Eidgah with modern facilities on five acres of land in Panchuria area of the town at the cost of about Tk8 crore.
LGED Executive Engineer Md Ehsanul Haque said the project has three components. The Eidgah has an ablution room, office room, separate washrooms for men and women and a store room.
A 455-metre pipeline along with 17 catch basins has been arranged around the field for drainage of rainwater. Even if there is heavy rain, prayers can be offered on this Eidgah ground after a while.
Dhaka TribuneMaulana Hafizur Rahman, the imam of the Court Mosque in Gopalganj, said it is customary to stand and pray in large congregations on our major religious festivals. People in Gopalganj performed the Eid prayers last year with religious fervour.
Liaqat Ali, a resident of Panchuria, said people from other parts of the town and nearby places are visiting this place because of the modern design. The beauty of the Eidgah has made this establishment a desired destination for many people.
Mir Sadek of the same area said people from Bagerhat, Narail and Pirojpur districts offered Eid prayers at this ground last year when construction of it was underway. Many were amazed at first sight. Moreover, health-conscious people of the town visit the place every day for a walk.
Md Kamruzzaman, who has a morning walk on the ground regularly, thanked the prime minister and the local lawmaker Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim for the initiative. “There are wide roads for walking. Along with that, a pleasant atmosphere prevails here. No vehicles ply through the Eidgah. So you can exercise safely here,” he added.
Gopalganj Deputy Commissioner Kazi Mahbubul Alam said the newly-built Eidgah has beautified the city. It has taken the district town to unique heights.