Kathin Chibar Dan begins in Rangamati

Kathin Chibar Dan, the Kathina robe offering, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist people in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), began in Rangamati amid much enthusiasm.

Devasish Roy, the titular King of the Chakma community, inaugurated the two-day festival by spinning a wheel as per tradition.

Around one lakh people from far flung areas came to join the robe offering festival. 

This year, the Chibar (robe) was created from 196 waist looms, and were handed over to the monks after a 24-hour preparation. 

The district administration took all necessary measures to ensure the peaceful celebration of the festival. 

The festival goes back to the time of Bishakha, a contemporary of Gautam Buddha, who had started the tradition by donating him chibar. Since then, the Buddhist community observes the festival every year.