Rangamati:The 26th annual Kathin Chibar Dan festival, a significant religious event for Buddhists, has commenced at the Buddhangkur Buddhist Monastery in the Asambasti area. The month-long celebration began with traditional religious rituals, prayers, and the offering of robes to monks.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the festival is jointly organized by the Rangamati Asambasti Sabuddhangkur Buddhist Monastery and Rangamati Barua Janakalyan Sangstha. The inauguration took place on Monday afternoon, featuring Rangamati Hill District Parishad Chairman Dipan Talukdar Dipu as the chief guest. The event was presided over by Dr. Dharmakirti Mahathero, vice-principal of Sangharam Buddhist Monastery.
Notable attendees included District BNP Organising Secretary Md Saiful Islam Shakil, District Jubo Dal General Secretary Md Abu Sadat Md Sayem, and leaders from the Buddhangkur Buddhist Monastery Management Committee. Among the speakers were Dharmapala Mahathero and Ananda Priya Bhikkhu, who delivered religious sermons.
Hundreds of Buddhist devotees participated in the festival, which concluded with prayers advocating for the spread of Buddha's message of non-violence and peace. The day's activities began with protective chants, offerings, and the observance of religious precepts. The afternoon saw the Kathin Chibar Daan ceremony, religious sermons, and the release of sky lanterns, marking the reaffirmation of Buddhist teachings of peace and compassion.