Fiery Palash Blooms Adorn Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway

Even amidst neglect and minimal maintenance, the stretch of the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway passing through Valuka in Mymensingh has transformed into a visual spectacle, thanks to the vivid red Palash flowers. At the height of spring, the full bloom of these fiery blossoms has dressed the road’s median strips in a riot of colour, enchanting commuters and pedestrians alike with its striking natural beauty.

The 50-kilometre section from Valuka to Mymensingh city sees Palash trees planted along the central divider. Travellers, whether in cars or buses, are captivated by the continuous display of bright red petals. Passersby on foot are not left out, as the blooms lend a magical touch to their daily journeys.

Khairul Bashar Mohammad Saddam Hossain, Executive Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) in Mymensingh, explained that during the four-lane expansion of the highway, a variety of flowering plants were introduced on the median strips. These plantings serve both aesthetic and practical purposes, including soil retention. Palash is one of the prominent species, flowering primarily in spring. Other seasonal blooms include Sonali, Krishnachura, and Shimul, ensuring the highway remains colourful year-round. Hossain added that areas where plants have perished are scheduled for replanting, ensuring continuity of the floral display.

The following table highlights key locations along the highway where the Palash bloom is particularly striking:

Valuka Polytechnic College student Borsha noted, “Travelling from Valuka to Mymensingh, seeing the Palash along the divider lifts the spirits even on gloomy days.” President of the Valuka Press Club, Md. Main Uddin, added, “Everyone loves flowers. Passing by such a view en route to work or college refreshes the mind, and the red Palash in full bloom gives a unique sense of joy.”

Kamrul Hasan Pathan Kamal, Secretary of the Bangladesh Environmental Movement, emphasised that proper care of these flowering trees could further enhance their aesthetic impact. He expressed hope that the RHD would devote more attention to their maintenance.

Native to the Indian subcontinent, Palash is particularly prevalent in Bangladesh during spring. It also grows in West Bengal’s Birbhum and Purulia districts, and even in Bengaluru, India. The flowers range in colour from deep red and reddish-orange to yellow and white. Beyond beauty, Palash has medicinal properties: its bark, leaves, and seeds are used to treat ailments such as joint pain, skin disorders, fever, diarrhoea, and diabetes.

Cultural references abound, with the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam famously writing, “Yellow Gandhar flower, red Palash flower / Bring it, bring it, or else / I will not braid, will not braid my hair…” Rabindranath Tagore also frequently incorporated Palash into his poetry and songs, underscoring its enduring place in Bengali art and literature.

The Palash bloom along the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway is thus not merely a seasonal spectacle but a celebration of nature’s vibrancy, offering a sensory delight and a momentary escape for all who traverse this route.