Hailakathi and neighbouring villages in Rajapur are known as the pati gram of southern Bengal, where generations of weavers belong to the Patikar community. Artisans harvest slender murta cane from nearby marshes, peel the green outer bark into paper-thin strips, soak them in water, and weave supple mats by hand. The resulting shital pati remains cool to the touch even during sticky humid heat. Visitors can watch families weaving on open verandas and buy traditional mats directly from the makers.
- Best time
- November to March
- Give it
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free to visit; transport from Jhalokathi about ৳80–120 each way
How to get to Hailakathi Shital Pati Village
About 18 km south-west of Jhalokathi town in Rajapur upazila. Take a local bus or shared auto to Rajapur bazaar in 35 minutes, then hire an easy-bike to Hailakathi.
Jhalokathi town is about 195 km from Dhaka, around 4 hours by road. Every way to get there is in the Jhalokathi guide.
Weavers work in their private home courtyards; ask polite permission before taking photographs.
More to see in Jhalokathi
Photo: Lonely Explorer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Bhimruli Floating Guava Market ভীমরুলী ভাসমান পেয়ারা বাজার
A wholesale floating fruit market operating from hundreds of small wooden boats where three tidal canals meet.
- Best time
- July to August for guavas; September for hog plums
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Small boat hire roughly ৳500–800 for 2 hours; auto-rickshaw from town about ৳150–200
Photo: Dr. Emdadul Hoque Mamun, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Kirtipasha Zamindar Bari কীর্ত্তিপাশা জমিদার বাড়ি
A 18th-century zamindar estate featuring ornamental brick halls, a Durga temple, and aged banyan trees in Kirtipasha village.
- Best time
- October to March
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free entry; auto-rickshaw from Jhalokathi town roughly ৳40–60 each way
Gabkhan Bridge গাবখান সেতু
A high-span suspension bridge over the historic Gabkhan Channel, offering elevated views of delta river cargo.
- Best time
- October to March
- Give it
- About an hour
- Cost
- Free to walk on; auto-rickshaw from town centre roughly ৳20–30