Kathin Chibar Dana, one of the most sacred religious festivals of Buddhists began in Rangamati. Photo: BSS

By Mansur Ahmed

RANGAMATI, Oct 30, 2025 (BSS)- The two-day 49th Yellow Robe Offering Ceremony (Kathin Chibar Dana), one of the most sacred religious festivals of Buddhists began Rangamati  Rajban Vihara  with the inauguration of the Bain Ghar and spinning of yarn . 

The festival of Rajban Vihara is the largest Robe Offering Ceremony of the Buddhists populated hilly and plain regions. Thousands of devotees from home and abroad are participating in the festival.

The Bain Ghar was inaugurated by the recitation of the Mangal Sutra by the chief disciple of the Mahaparinirvanagata (enlightened) Arahant Sadhanananda Mahasthavir widely known as Banabhante and the resident head of Rajban Vihara Shrimat Pragnyalankar Mahasthavira. 

Along with this, Begum Rokeya Padak-winning Rangamati female entrepreneur Manjulika Khisa inaugurated the ceremony of weaving the chibar by cutting the thread on the spinning wheel.

The 49th Kathina Chibar Dana will conclude with the offering of the chibar (robes)   made in 24 hours among the monks on Friday (October 31) afternoon. 

The opening ceremony was graced by the chanting of verses from the sacred Tripitaka, delivered by the resident head of Rajban Vihar, Shrimat Prajnyalankar Mahasthavira. Later, the resident monks went around the monastery and blessed the devotees who participated in the Chibar weaving.

Before the main ceremony on Friday morning, the first part will be held Sanga Dana, Moha Asta Pariskar Dana and feeding to the monks. 

The procession of the robe and the kalpataru will begin in the afternoon. The robe and kalpataru processions will start from the Bain Ghar and go around the temple area and be brought to the ceremony stage. 

During the ceremony, the devotees will donate Buddha statues, kalpataru, and various charitable items including money for the construction of the Rajban Vishwasanti Pagoda. 

The entire area of ??Rajban Vihara, including the entire city of Rangamati, is in a festive mood around this religious event of Buddhists. Thousands of pilgrims have been flocking to Rajban Vihara since Thursday to join the festival. Thousands of devotees and women from various hill villages and towns of the three hill districts are gathering by road and river to join the auspicious event. 

In addition, numerous pilgrims and visitors are arriving from the country and abroad. A fair is being held in the entire area of ??Rajban Vihara around the festival. Various colourful events are underway, including religious kirtan and drama. 

More than fifty spinning wheels and more than two hundred spinning machines have been installed across a vast area of ??Rajban Vihara. About five hundred women took part in the process of making the  robes for the monks . 

To ensure a smooth festival, the law and enforcers   have taken adequate security measures. About six hundred police personnel are deployed inside and outside the monastery. 

This robe will be donated to the monks on Friday by King of Chakma circle Raja Barrister Debashish Roy in memory of the late most revered spiritual   monastic personality Banabhante.