Kuakata, known as the 'Daughter of the Sea', is a scenic sea beach located in the southern part of Bangladesh. It is situated in the Patuakhali District and is one of the rarest beaches in the world that offers a full view of the sunrise and sunset from the same white sandy beach. Kuakata is about 320 Kilometers away from the capital city, Dhaka. This beach is a strip of land about 18 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide. The name Kuakata originated from the word 'kua'- the Bengali word for 'well' which was dug on the seashore by the early Rakhine settlers in quest of collecting drinking water, who landed on the Kuakata coast after being expelled from Arakan (Myanmar) during the Mughal period. Kuakata is also the destination of pilgrimage for both Hindu and Buddhist communities. Thousands of devotees arrive here at the festivals of 'Rush Purnima' and 'Maghi Purnima'. On these occasions, the pilgrims take holy baths in the sea and participate in the traditional fairs. Kuakata is not only famous for its panoramic sea beach but also for its mangrove forests, migratory birds, and the home of the Fatra Chora.
