Panthumai waterfall — Attraction in Sylhet Division

To reach the village of Pantomai, start out from Sylhet towards Tamabil. Just before reaching the Shari river and Shari Ghat, turn left on the Gowainghat road. After several kilometres, at the Y intersection near the Gowainghat Upazila complex, bear right and keep going. The road, around ten kilometres, takes you through some beautiful scenery. Eventually you reach a small bridge called Aharkandi Bridge; crossing this, turn right and travel about two kilometres to reach Pantomai. If you start from Sylhet town, the trip takes about two hours. Pantomai is a Khasi word, its meaning of “a new village” or “a new char” coming from geological changes created by the river Piyain on which it lies. Across the river is India. The Piyain is narrow and flows down from the Khasi Hills across the Sylhet plains and into the Gowain river which then joins the Surma. The entrance to Pantomai, lined with trees on both sides, sets the stage for the serene beauty to come. Dotting the road are individual homes; many have plots in front with a dense growth of trees. Vines of paan (betel leaf) climb along the trunks of these trees. Rice and vegetables are grown on the farmland further inland and along the edge of the river. I speak with Md. Foyzul Islam, chairman of West Jafflong Union Parishad, who shows me around the village. While many villagers make a living from agriculture, paan and vegetable farming, others have migrated to the UK. I ask Foyzul how large the village is. “There are 1100 voters here; the total population is closer to 2000.” Some of the nicer houses attest to the remittance sent by Londonis. Foyzul's house is towards the end of the road. He leaves one room permanently open for villagers to stop by for a chat, relaxation, or use of the facilities. Across the river on the Indian side is a waterfall called Borhill Falls, perhaps 500 feet tall. It descends the steep Khasi hills and crashes into the river. About a hundred yards from where the falls meets the river, on the Bangladeshi side, is a football field called the Borhill Field. I ask the villagers about football. “We have an annual tournament coming up. This year the grand prize is a laptop computer. Sometimes we hire in players from national or international teams.” International? “We expect one or two Nigerian players joining in this year.” The village is pretty and peaceful and one can easily while away a few hours on the banks of the Piyain or cruising it on a small rowboat. The view approaching Pantomai can be spectacular. The rice crop, which has just been transplanted, is velvet green, caressing your gaze as your eyes travel further out until hitting the mountains in the background, clouds resting on top. Every once in a while there is a river or canal to cross. Parts of the road are lined with raintree and albizia (raj koroi) which were planted years ago by an NGO. We can add Pantomai to the list of scenic spots in northern Sylhet that also includes Lalakhal and Ratargul. They make this area a magnet...

Panthumai Waterfall

Panthumai Waterfall, located near the Bangladesh-India border in Sylhet, is a breathtaking natural attraction that offers visitors a serene and picturesque escape. The waterfall, fed by the Pyain River, cascades down from the Meghalaya hills of India, creating a mesmerizing view.

One of the best things about Panthumai is its accessibility. A short boat ride from the nearby village adds to the adventure, giving visitors a chance to soak in the beauty of the surrounding hills and crystal-clear water. The lush greenery and peaceful environment make it an ideal spot for nature lovers and photographers.

However, it's important to note that while the waterfall is clearly visible from the Bangladeshi side, direct access to the falls is restricted as it lies across the border in India. Despite this, the view from the river is more than enough to make the trip worthwhile.

For those planning to visit, the best time is during the monsoon or post-monsoon season when the waterfall is at its fullest. There are also nearby attractions like Bichanakandi and Ratargul Swamp Forest, making it easy to explore multiple scenic spots in one trip.

Pros: ✔ Stunning natural beauty ✔ Peaceful and relaxing atmosphere ✔ Ideal for photography and nature lovers

Cons: ✖ Limited access due to border restrictions ✖ Can be crowded on weekends and holidays

Overall, Panthumai Waterfall is a must-visit for anyone exploring the Sylhet region. The combination of natural beauty and adventure makes it a...

Amazing place for relaxation. One of the best place of Bangladesh located in Sylhet. It is a beautiful place and it will help you to refresh your mind. If you want to go there from Dhaka then you have to follow some steps. I am going to describe them elaborately. At first you have to travel by bus, train or by air that you like. After reaching Sylhet you can chose local auto rickshaw or there is a lot of private cars available and you will be able to rent them. With one of them you have to chose the route of Bichana kandi. After reaching the boat station you will now have a lot of boats. You will be able to rent them for full day and it will cost around 1500 Bangladeshi taka. You have to travel one and a half hour to reach there. There will be local guide available. The boat will take you to the place and you will come back with the same boat. Whole journey will coast fifteen hundred taka. Don’t forget to carry some dry food with you. You must be hungry when you will go there. One thing that is you will not get delicious food or healthy food there. So you must carry some food that you like. After a journey of one and half hour you will reach there that I mentioned. When you reach there if you want to go to the close of that waterfall you need to rent some small boat there which will cost near fifty taka. Major thing is you have to go there in Rainy Season. You will not be able to go there in dry season. Because boat is only the ride to go there. So enjoy the journey....