Golden Temple (Buddha Dhatu Jadi) travel guide

At a glance

Built

2000

Location

Balaghata, 4 km from Bandarban town

Architecture

Myanmar style

Entry

Small ticket; modest dress required

History and details

Buddha Dhatu Jadi is one of the largest Theravada Buddhist temples in Bangladesh. With its golden jadi (stupa) and many sculptures on the hilltop it is known as the 'Golden Temple'. Devotees believe holy relics of Gautama Buddha are kept here.

The temple is built in the Myanmar style and has a pond called the 'Devata Pukur' (pond of the gods). A big religious festival is held at a set time each year. It is open to visitors at set hours, and dress and behaviour rules apply.

Things to do

• Take your shoes off and walk quietly around the temple grounds
• See Bandarban town and the Sangu River from the top
• Photograph the temple's carvings (where allowed)

How to get to Golden Temple (Buddha Dhatu Jadi)

About 4 km from Bandarban town, at Balaghata.

Bandarban is about 330 km from Dhaka; the journey takes 7–8 hours.

• 🚌 By bus: Direct Shyamoli, Hanif, S. Alam and Saint Martin Paribahan buses from Sayedabad/Kalabagan; non-AC ৳850–1,000, AC ৳1,500–2,000.
• 🚗 By road: About 2.5 hours by bus from Chattogram to Bandarban.

Where to stay

• Sairu Hill Resort (luxury)
• Nilgiri Resort (run by the army, booking needed)
• Mid-range hotels in Bandarban town including Hotel Hill View (৳1,500–3,500)

What to eat

Bamboo shoots, bamboo chicken, hill vegetables and fruit

Good to know

• Modest dress required; take your shoes off to enter
• Keep quiet during prayers

More to see nearby

• Meghla (3 km)
• Nilachal (8 km)
• Raj Vihara and Ujanipara Vihara, in town

More places to visit in Bandarban district

• Nilgiri — About 2,200 ft up; at dawn you can see clouds below your feet.
• Nilachal — A hilltop near town; sunsets and views of ranges of hills.
• Boga Lake — A natural lake about 1,200 ft up; you can stay here on the way to Keokradong.
• Keokradong — One of the country's highest peaks; a favourite with trekkers.
• Nafakhum Waterfall — One of the country's biggest waterfalls, on the Sangu.
• Meghla Tourist Complex — A family outing with a lake, hanging bridges and a cable car.
• Chimbuk Hill — A high hill on the way to Nilgiri; Mro villages and views of clouds.
• Shoilopropat — A small waterfall right by the road; Bawm handwoven goods for sale.
• Debotakhum — A deep, cold pool between sheer rock walls; you float in on a bamboo raft.

Location on the map