Prabarana Purnima and Kathin Chibar Dan

Prabarana Purnima marks the end of the Buddhist monks’ three-month rains retreat. On the full moon of Ashwin, Buddhist communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Cox’s Bazar pray, light thousands of lamps and send paper lanterns, fanus, into the night sky. In the month that follows comes Kathin Chibar Dan, when new robes are offered to the monks; at Rajban Vihara in Rangamati the robe is spun, dyed and woven in just 24 hours.

Updated 21 October 2026.

Dates

In 2025 Prabarana fell on 6 October and Rajban Vihara held its 49th Kathin ceremony on 30 and 31 October, drawing pilgrims from abroad. The 2024 ceremony was called off over security concerns.

What happens

• Prabarana in Bandarban. The Marma community calls it Maha Wagyoai Poye and celebrates for a whole week. In 2026 it runs from 21 to 27 October: a marathon to the old Rajbari ground before dawn on the 25th, the Mangal Rath chariot procession from the old Rajbari through town on the 26th, ending at Ujanipara Ghat where the chariot is taken into the Sangu, and on the 27th lamps and fanus at Rajguru Buddhist Vihar and a pitha (rice cake) festival.
• Fanus in Ramu. The Buddhist villages of Ramu near Cox’s Bazar are known for their sky lanterns.
• Kathin at Rajban Vihara. Over about 24 hours, devotees spin cotton, dye it and weave a robe, which is carried around the vihara and offered to the senior monk. Crowds can exceed 100,000.

In Dhaka and Chattogram: no permit needed

You do not have to travel to the hills. The viharas of Dhaka and Chattogram celebrate the same day, from flag hoisting and chanting at dawn to mass prayers, lamp offerings (pradip puja) and fanus lanterns released into the evening sky. Visitors are welcome if they take off their shoes, dress modestly and keep a respectful distance during the prayers.

• Dhaka. Dharmarajik Bouddha Bihar in Kamalapur is the main centre; the International Buddhist Monastery in Merul Badda and the viharas of Kalachandpur, Uttara and Mirpur also hold programmes.
• Chattogram. The city has Bangladesh’s oldest Buddhist community. The Buddhist Temple in Nandankanan is the best known, with celebrations also at Katalganj, Agrabad, Debpahar and Momin Road.

Permits for foreign visitors

Foreign visitors need permission to visit the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Rangamati district has an online application (foreigner.rangamati.gov.bd) where you upload your passport, visa, hotel and itinerary; in Bandarban you apply through the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Apply one to two weeks ahead, keep to the approved itinerary and register at the check posts. Ruma, Rowangchhari and Thanchi in Bandarban were closed to tourists in November 2024 and are reopening gradually, so check their status first. Ramu is outside the Hill Tracts and needs no permission.

Getting there

Rangamati and Bandarban are seven to nine hours from Dhaka by overnight bus, or two to three hours from Chattogram. For Ramu, fly to Cox’s Bazar and drive about 30 minutes.

Tips for visiting

• Take your shoes off at viharas and dress modestly.
• Ask before photographing monks or the weaving, and never use flash at the loom.
• In some years the authorities limit fanus releases; follow police instructions.
• Crowds and security are heavy: arrive early and keep belongings secure.

Visiting with us

We plan Prabarana and Kathin trips with permissions, hotels and a guide who can explain the ceremonies. Plan your trip.

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