Though the original name of this temple is Mahasukh Mandir or Buddha Dhatu Jadi, it is known among tourists as Bandarban Golden Temple or simply the Golden Temple. Interestingly, despite its name, no structures here are made of gold. You may wonder why it is called the Golden Temple. The name actually comes from the abundance of golden color that decorates the entire temple. This beautiful pagoda, built on top of a hill, is regarded as one of the popular tourist attractions in Bangladesh and serves as a sacred pilgrimage site for followers of Buddhism. Many devotees from both Bangladesh and abroad visit the Golden Temple and offer their prayers. A statue of Buddha, believed to have been created during the lifetime of Gautama Buddha, has been installed here. It cost approximately BDT 10 crore to build this temple. It is one of the significant places of worship among the various Buddhist sites in Southeast Asia.
The pagoda’s architectural design draws inspiration from Buddhist temples in Myanmar, China, and Thailand. This pagoda is a brilliant example of modern religious architecture. Every year, a fair is held here at a specific time and brings the community together. The pagoda remains open all day long as a tranquil place for reflection and devotion. If you travel to Bandarban, you must visit the Golden Temple and see it for yourself. Otherwise, your trip to Bandarban will remain incomplete.
From this pagoda, you can enjoy beautiful natural views of Balaghata and its surrounding countryside. The Bandarban radio station and the zigzag road leading towards Chandraghona are also worth seeing. If you plan to visit the Golden Temple, you can go between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. If you are not a morning person, you can visit between 12:45 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. instead.
What
is its history?
Construction of the Golden Temple began in 1995 and took five years to complete. It was officially inaugurated in 2000. Its design was heavily influenced by Arakanese architecture, a style that reflects the rich heritage of Southeast Asia. Inside the temple perimeter, visitors will find a collection of smaller statues, a beautiful golden ball hanging beneath a dragon, and the second-largest statue of Lord Buddha. The temple’s main attraction for pilgrims and tourists is the dhatu, which is considered a sacred relic of Buddha and has been preserved beneath four statues of Buddha. Many Buddhists believe that worshipping the dhatu brings inner peace and happiness. In 1994, the Government of Myanmar gave this dhatu as a gift to Venerable U Pannya Jota Thera, a famous monk and former Senior Assistant Judge of the Bangladesh Government. Moreover, the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) has included this temple in its ‘Buddhist Circuit Tour’ as part of its Tourism Development Project.
What
are the major attractions?
What makes this temple a must-visit destination for both local and foreign tourists is its beautiful decoration, modern architectural design, and golden color. The temple’s beautiful decoration in golden and maroon colors gives the impression that it is made of gold. That is why it is affectionately called the Golden Temple. The temple reveals its true beauty on every full moon night when thousands of clay lamps illuminate its surroundings. The floor is beautifully decorated with mosaics. Visitors need to climb 180 steps to enter the temple. Once you reach the temple, the spectacular views of the Bandarban hill region will immediately make you forget your tiredness. Far from the noise and chaos of everyday life, it may feel like a paradise in the hills.
On one side of the temple, visitors will find a museum where they can learn about the historical background of the Buddhist religion. At the top of the hill, there is a small pond known as Debota Pukur, meaning “Pond of the Gods.” There is also an Ethnic Cultural Institute where visitors can explore the local culture.
This temple is surrounded by a dense jungle filled with lush greenery. From the Golden Temple, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Bandarban town, including its beautiful natural landscape, the Sangu River, and Bandarban Radio Station.
This temple is a sacred place for devotees of the Buddhist religion, especially followers of the Theravada Buddhist tradition. This tradition is practiced by the Marma or Mogh indigenous community of Arakan descent living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Every year, the temple arranges numerous festivals that welcome pilgrims from all over the world. It is the largest Theravada Buddhist temple and is home to the second-largest Buddha statue in the country.
Where
is it located?
In the local language, a Buddhist temple is called Kyang. The Golden Temple is located in a remote area and requires a short hike from Bandarban town. Situated on a hill 60 meters (200 feet) above sea level, it is about four kilometers from Balaghata town and 10 kilometers from Bandarban city. This beautiful temple is also 92 kilometers away from the port city of Chittagong. For those travelling from Dhaka, which is 326 kilometers away, reaching this beautiful destination is obviously a day-long journey.
How
to go there?
First, you must travel to Bandarban town. Every day, buses operated by several transport companies, such as Shyamoli Paribahan, Hanif Paribahan, S. Alam Paribahan, Saudia Paribahan, Dolphin Paribahan, and Unique Paribahan, depart from Abdullahpur, Arambagh, Kallyanpur, Gabtoli, and Sayedabad in Dhaka for Bandarban. Buses also depart from Kalabagan, Sayedabad, or Fakirapool for Bandarban at 10:00 p.m. or 11:30 p.m. Fares are around BDT 800–900 per person for non-AC buses and BDT 1,200–1,800 for AC buses. It takes approximately 8–10 hours to travel from Dhaka to Bandarban by bus.
If you plan to travel by train, you can take a Chattogram-bound train from Dhaka, such as the Sonar Bangla Express, Subarna Express, Turna Nishitha, or Mahanagar Godhuli. Ticket prices vary depending on the class you choose, ranging from BDT 405 to BDT 1,398. Alternatively, you can travel directly from Dhaka to Chattogram by air.
From Bahaddarhat in Chattogram, two buses named Pubali and Purbani depart for Bandarban. The fare for both buses is BDT 220 per person. Alternatively, you can travel to Bandarban by bus from Dampara Bus Stand in Chattogram, with fares ranging from BDT 200 to BDT 300 per person.
How
to get to the Golden Temple from Bandarban?
From Bandarban, you can go to the Golden Temple by hiring a CNG auto-rickshaw or a Chander Gari (a local mountain vehicle). You will have to pay BDT 300–700 for a round trip to the Golden Temple. However, tourists usually reserve a vehicle to visit other notable attractions in and around Bandarban as well, such as Nilgiri, Nilachal, Chimbuk, Shoilo Propat, and Meghla.
You can plan your trip based on your available time and the places you wish to visit, and then reserve a vehicle of your choice. To visit Nilachal, Meghla, and the Golden Temple, renting a jeep (with 6–8 seats) will cost BDT 1,000–1,200, a Chander Gari will cost BDT 1,200–1,500, and a CNG (auto-rickshaw) will cost BDT 500–800. Before agreeing on the fare, make sure to clearly discuss all the places you want to visit and negotiate the price with the driver.
You will need to pay a road toll of BDT 20–30 to reach the Golden Temple by vehicle, and there is an entry fee of BDT 50 per person to enter the Golden Temple.
Where
will you stay?
There are numerous resorts, hotels, motels, and rest houses in Bandarban where you can stay overnight for BDT 600 to BDT 3,000.
Holiday Inn Resort: It is situated on top of a small hill opposite the Meghla Parjatan Complex. There are several small cottages here. Contact number: 0361-62896.
Hillside Resort: Milonchhori is located at the 5-kilometre point on the Bandarban–Chimbuk Road. It offers excellent facilities for overnight stays in a pleasant setting. Contact number: 01556539022.
Hotel Four Star: It is located in Bandarban town and offers both AC and non-AC rooms. Every room in the hotel has a television. The rent is BDT 300 for a single room, BDT 600 for a double room, and BDT 1,200 for an AC room. Contact number: 0361-62466.
Hotel Three Star: It is located next to the Bandarban bus stop. Vehicles heading to Nilgiri depart from in front of this hotel. It is a four-bed flat that can accommodate 8–10 people. The rent is BDT 2,500 per night for a non-AC flat and BDT 3,000 for an AC flat. For bookings, contact Manik Chowdhury, the owner of both the Three Star and Four Star hotels, at 01553421089 or 01813278731.
Hotel River View: It is situated in a natural setting beside the Sangu River in Bandarban town. It has its own restaurant. Contact number: 0361-62707.
If you want, you can even choose to stay at Nilachal Escape Resort. It has a total of six rooms in three cottages. The rent for each room is BDT 3,000. The resort management also arranges good-quality meals for its guests. Contact number: 01777765789.
Parjatan Motel: It is located in Meghla, approximately 4 kilometres from Bandarban town, beside the hills and a lake. The rent for each room ranges from BDT 750 to BDT 2,000.
Hotel Plaza Bandarban: It is a five-minute walk from the bus stand. The rent is BDT 400 for a single room, BDT 850 for a double room, and BDT 1,200 for an AC room.
Besides these options, there is a beautiful rest house managed by the District Administration at Meghla Parjatan Complex, where visitors can enjoy a relaxing getaway. It has four rooms available for overnight stays, each costing BDT 2,500 per night. For bookings, you can call 0361-62741 or 0361-62742.
Keep in mind that fares will depend on when you travel. Accommodation rates may be higher during the peak season (December–February) and on public holidays due to the larger influx of tourists. If you plan to travel during the peak season or on public holidays, you can book your hotel room in advance to avoid any hassle. If you visit during the off-season, you can get a 20–50% discount. In addition, there are numerous resorts, hotels, motels, and rest houses where you can easily stay overnight for BDT 500–3,000.
Where
will you eat?
There are several mid-range restaurants in Bandarban town for tourists. You can have all three meals at a restaurant of your choice. Some of the popular options include Tazing Dong Café, Meghdut Café, Food Place Restaurant, Ruposhi Bangla Restaurant, Ree Shong Shong, and Kalapata Restaurant.
Advice:
Ø The best time to visit the Golden Temple is in the afternoon, when the warm sunlight makes the temple look exceptionally beautiful.
Ø Visitors are not allowed to enter the temple after 6:00 p.m., so make sure to arrive earlier.
Ø Keep in mind that visitors wearing shorts or lungis will not be allowed to enter the temple.
Ø Entering the temple while wearing shoes is strictly prohibited. Therefore, follow the proper etiquette and customs before and after entering the temple.
Ø Visitors can take photographs, but they are not allowed to record videos or touch the sculptures.
Ø Malaria is a common disease in this region, and deaths caused by cerebral malaria are a serious concern in Bandarban. Visitors are advised to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites and other diseases.
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