The Risang Fountain, nestled amidst the winding roads, undulating hills, and lush green carpet of Khagrachari, is a spectacle of natural beauty that captivates tourists with its clear, transparent water.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name 'Risang' originates from the Marma language. 'Re' means water and 'Sang' means jumping—together signifying a "jumping water" or waterfall. The local Tripura community, however, knows it as 'Terang Chankai,' where 'Terang' means water and 'Chankai' means to fall from above.
Location and Surroundings
Risang is situated about three kilometers west of the renowned Alutila Tourist Center in Khagrachari. From the main road, the fountain is a one-kilometer trek southward. The path is lined with Jumghars (local hillside huts), wild bushes, and a variety of unnamed hill flowers, creating a continuous "green ceremony" all around. The air is filled with the joyful chirping of birds.
The Descent to the Falls
To reach the fountain, visitors must first travel through a hilly section, then descend a huge staircase. The sound of the rushing water grows louder as one descends. At the bottom of the stairs, the magnificent waterfall appears. The white stream of water cascades down from a height of 120 feet. Getting close to the falls results in a refreshing soaking, filling the body with a sense of coolness.
Tourist Experience
On a recent Sunday morning, many tourists were seen enjoying the clear water. MK Momin, an employee of a private company from Chattogram, shared his experience, "We had planned to visit Khagrachari during the Eid holidays for a long time. I came to see the mountains and the fountain. It feels great to be here, especially in the heat, although descending the stairs was quite a challenge."
Many visitors like Momin were gathered around the falls. They are typically combining their Risang visit with tours to other local attractions like the Alutila Tourist Center, the Cave, Tareng, and the Zilla Parishad Park.
Local families and groups, such as Mozammel, Ratan, and a group of youngsters from Ramgarh, came for tourism but ultimately gravitated toward the fountain to escape the intense heat.
Management and Security
The District Administration supervises the Risang Fountain. An entry fee of Tk 5 per person is collected. Nipun Joy Tripura, the Shower Manager, noted that tourist arrivals have been high since Eid, with over a thousand people visiting on the second day of Eid alone, and expects the crowds to grow further.
Khagrachari Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekharul Islam Khandaker confirmed that security has been strengthened in all tourist centers across the district to ensure the safety of both tourists and locals.
How to Get There
From Chattogram: Direct bus service is available to Khagrachari from the Oxygen and Kadamtali BRTC bus terminals.
From Dhaka: Various transport buses, including St. Martin, S Alam, Shyamoli, and Shanti, run services both day and night.
From the Khagrachari bus terminal, one must hire a motorcycle, CNG-powered auto-rickshaw, microbus, or Jeep to reach the fountain. The fountain's entrance is located about one kilometer south of the main Khagrachari-Matiranga road. Those traveling directly from Chattogram or Dhaka will pass by the entrance.
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