Baniachong village is located 17 kilometers north of Habiganj district in northeastern Bangladesh. Based on area and population, Baniachong is the largest village in Bangladesh.

In the 1930s, after cycling around the world, traveler Ramnath Biswas described Baniachong as the largest village on Earth in one of his books. According to researchers, Baniachong village was established in the 12th century.

Back then, it also served as the capital of the ancient Laur Kingdom. Covering 94 square kilometers, Baniachong has redefined the way people view a village’s size and structure. In Bangladesh, a union usually contains many villages.

But Baniachong breaks that pattern. Here, one village includes people from four unions. In other words, one village has been divided into four unions. This unique setup helps define Baniachong as the largest village in the world.

The village includes 104 neighborhoods or localities.

Beauty of Baniachong

Inside the village, countless wetlands and canals flow gently. During the rainy season, the village fills with water and appears like a beautiful floating picture.

The scenic spots along the banks of these canals and ponds attract visitors deeply. Their curiosity draws them closer to the rich rural traditions.

Baniachong, famous for timeless legends like Alal-Dulal, Rani Bhavani, Amena Sundari, Afzal Khan, and Arju Banu, is also the birthplace of the renowned folk artist Subir Nandi.

This ancient settlement, with its wetlands, lakes, birds, and abundant fruits, reflects the pride of Bengal’s nature. It holds a diverse collection of folk heritage that captivates tourists and visitors alike.

Name Origin

The name of this village has an interesting backstory. According to local legend, traders—known as Benia—used to hunt birds by building raised platforms (machan) in the nearby Potiar wetland. Over time, the words Benia and Machan combined to form the name “Baniachong.”

The villagers have preserved the tradition of ancient handicrafts through generations. Skilled hands craft a variety of household and farming tools with great care.

People from many professions and backgrounds live in this village—some work in farming, some in fishing, and others as laborers.

As the largest village in the world, Baniachong thrives on agriculture, so food is always abundant. Every household keeps livestock. The people stay closely connected to the land, so you’ll find earthen stoves in almost every home.

How to Go to Baniachong

From anywhere in Bangladesh, first travel to Habiganj. Then head to Baniachong Boro Bazar. Rent an auto rickshaw there and explore the largest village in the world.

Livelihood

Crops

Most of the crops in the village grow on the haor lands. Farmers grow green chili in both the Rabi and Kharif seasons. Among the high-yielding vegetables, ridge gourd and hyacinth beans stand out.

Thanks to the fertile haor water and rich silt, vegetables—especially ridge gourd—grow in abundance with very little care.

The main crop is Boro paddy, including both local Uposhi and hybrid varieties. The village celebrates a traditional rice harvesting event called Daowamari.

In the past, people used sickles to cut rice during this festival, but now, modern combine harvesters have taken over the task.

With the right climate, plenty of water, and a mix of sandy and clay loam soil—along with the farmers’ hard work—the paddy fields produce a bumper harvest every year.

Some farmers carry the harvested paddy back home, while others set up temporary drying areas in the fields and process it right there. These traditional and modern farming practices go hand in hand.

Livestock Farming

Livestock farming is the second-largest source of income for the villagers. During the dry season, people release cows, goats, and sheep into the haor lands that dry up completely. There are around 14 such haors, covering a total area of about 110,000 hectares In Habiganj. This seasonal practice plays a vital role in the rural economy.

What to See at Baniachong

Royal Palace

In Ward No. 1 of the northeastern union, the ruins of a historic royal palace still remain.  Raja Govinda Singh—later known as Habib Khan—built this palace during his rule over the Baniachong kingdom In the 16th century. 

He accepted Islam at the court of Emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi and took the name Habib Khan. One of his descendants, Anwar Khan, was among the twelve Bhuiyans who fought against the Mughals.

The presence of this ancient site adds to the rich heritage of the largest village in the world.

Dewan Dighi

One of the main attractions of the Baniachong royal palace is Dewan Dighi. It is the second-largest pond in Bangladesh. Many people also call it Kamala Rani’s pond.

Because it is as large as a sea, some even call it the Sea Pond. In 1942, rural poet Jasimuddin sat by this pond and wrote his famous poem, Kamala Ranir Dighi.

Jolabon (Wetland Forest)

Laxmi-Baur Jolabon, or Kharati Forest, lies 11 kilometers north of Baniachong Upazila. Covering 206 acres, this forest area is even larger than Ratargul in Sylhet.

During the dry winter season, it stays dry, but it becomes flooded in the rainy season. This wetland forest boasts a rich variety of plants such as Hijal, Koroch, Barun, Kakura, and many types of shrubs.

The wetlands hold an abundance of fish and various species of birds, reptiles, and mammals. These include fishing cats, foxes, guai snakes, kraits, vipers, and other venomous snakes like the darai-sha.

Today, you can spot various species of herons, kingfishers, and sandpipers. In winter, this quiet wetland comes alive with the calls of migrating guest birds.

Warning: The forest is declared a sanctuary for native and migratory birds. Anyone caught hunting birds faces a fine of 5,000 taka and may face other penalties.

Nagura Farm

Near the district headquarters, in Nagura under Baniachong Upazila, stands the research institute that developed the subcontinent’s first Deepwater rice suitable for cultivation.

Officially called the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Nagura, the place is better known to the public as Nagura Farm. Established in 1934, the rice developed here grows alongside the monsoon floods. As a result, its seedlings never drown.

This farm has developed several hybrid rice varieties, including BR-51, BR-52, BR-29, and BRAR-19. The institute’s green campus has become a sanctuary for thousands of bird species, making it a popular tourist spot.

How to Get There: You can reach Nagura Farm by CNG or bus via Habiganj Sadar from Baniachong Upazila Parishad, or from Habiganj Sadar by CNG or bus.