The 45th edition of the 'Dan Uttam Kathin Chibor Dan Utshab', a traditional religious festival of the Buddhist community of the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT),  has begun at Rajbana Vihara in Rajbari area under the Sadar town of the district. The two-day-long festival was inaugurated at the Baine Ghar of Rajbana Vihara yesterday evening.

In the opening secession, the Bain Ghar (the weaving room) was formally inaugurated by Chakma circle chief Debashish Roy and the Jenny (the traditional spinning machine) was inaugurated by Chakma circle queen Yean Yean. Rajbana Vihara acting managing director Praghya Lonker Mohathero, Upashika Parishad president Goutom Dewan, its secretary Amia Kisha and other Vihara representatives were present on the occasion.   'Kathin Chibor Dan' is an annual robe-donating ceremony to monks based on a tradition initiated by Moha Upshika Bishakha, a great female disciple of Lord Buddha, 2,500 years ago.

During the opening of the ceremony, thousands of female devotees come along with their spinning wheel with raw cotton from distant areas. The participants then make threads from the cotton. After that, they dye the threads with yellow colour and dry them. Next, Pieces of yellow cloth are weaved from these threads. Finally, the different pieces are sewn to make a chivar (robe).  Of late, this festival has gained popularity in the CHT region.