Sherpur, Mymensingh
A hill resort park at the foot of the Garo Hills, with forested slopes, a lake, a watchtower and walking paths close to the border.
The villages around Gajni are home to Garo (Mandi), Hajong and Koch families. Visitors who come respectfully can see hill farming, village churches and, around the harvest, the Garo festival of Wangala.
Gajni lies in Jhenaigati upazila, where the plains run up against the low, wooded hills of the Garo range. The district administration developed it as a recreation centre in the 1990s, and it has become one of the best-known day-out places in the region.
The park spreads over the hills with a lake, steps and paths up the slopes, a watchtower with views over the forest towards Meghalaya, and picnic areas. Around it are Garo and other hill villages, and the border with India is close.
It is busiest in winter, when families and student groups come for picnics; on weekdays it is much quieter.
Set out in the morning by CNG or bus via Jhenaigati.
Walk around the lake and up the hill paths.
Climb the tower for the view over the forest to the Garo Hills.
Eat at the park or in Jhenaigati.
Head back to Sherpur in the afternoon.
November to February; weekdays are much quieter than Fridays and holidays
About an hour or a little more from Sherpur town by bus or CNG via Jhenaigati, then a short ride on to Gajni. Hiring a CNG for the day is easiest.
