Hemonti blossoms turn Uttara Ganabhaban into a tourist attraction

The Uttara Ganabhaban located in Natore district has transformed into a vibrant seasonal attraction as rare Hemonti flowers bloom across its sprawling premises, drawing thousands of visitors eager to experience the beauty of the summer blossoms, reports BSS.

Known for its royal architecture, heritage value, and rich collection of rare trees, Uttara Ganabhaban is now witnessing one of its most charming natural spectacles. Seven Hemonti trees scattered across the palace grounds are currently in full bloom, creating a colorful and tranquil atmosphere enhanced by the constant buzzing of bees around the flowers.

Tourists visiting the site are not only exploring the palace and museum but are also spending hours admiring the floral beauty spread across the estate.

Apart from Hemonti, the palace complex is home to several rare flowering trees, including Parijat, Magnolia, Nagalingam, Surabhika, and the Eggplant flower tree. Together, they have turned the historic estate into what many visitors describe as a “floral kingdom.”

Among the flowering trees, Hemonti has emerged as the biggest attraction this season. During summer, the slow-growing trees shed most of their leaves and become almost entirely covered with white blossoms, creating a soothing contrast against the intense heat.

Visitors say the fragrance and appearance of the flowers offer a rare sense of calm and beauty.

One Hemonti tree stands near the entrance to the Italian Garden after passing through the palace’s iconic lion gate. Other trees are located inside the Italian Garden, near the deer enclosure, beside the museum, in front of the royal palace, and near the Queen’s Palace area.
The tree in front of the royal palace is currently considered the most spectacular among the seven, with the richest concentration of blossoms.

A visitor said he was amazed by the rare flowers. “I had never seen Hemonti before. Its beauty is extraordinary,” he said.

Al Razi, a teacher at the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Chittagong, said to the media that the beauty of the flowers adds a unique dimension to the palace grounds.

“Ganabhaban itself is beautiful, but the beauty of Hemonti is incomparable,” he remarked.

Former additional secretary and former official of the Natore Horticulture Center S M Kamruzzaman said the coconut trees surrounding the lake and the ornamental Hemonti tree in front of the royal palace were planted around 1988.

He compared the growing fascination surrounding the flowers with Japan’s cherry blossom culture.

“In Japan, people gather to enjoy the peaceful beauty of cherry blossoms. Similarly, visitors here are becoming enchanted by the beauty of Hemonti. It has become a scenic destination for nature lovers,” he said, suggesting that a dedicated Hemonti festival could be organised in the future.

As the fragrance of the flowers is expected to linger for at least two more months, tourism enthusiasts believe the blooming season could further strengthen Natore as a seasonal travel destination for nature lovers and heritage tourists alike.