Khagrachhari, Aug 25 (V7N) – Located in the remote hills of Ultochhari Union in Panchari, Shantipur Aranya Kutir is no longer just a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhist devotees—it now attracts thousands of local and foreign tourists seeking spiritual calm and scenic beauty. The centerpiece of the site is a towering Buddha statue, considered the tallest of its kind in Bangladesh, offering a majestic view amid tranquil forests and peaceful walking paths.
 
 
The forest monastery spans approximately 65 acres and includes meditation huts, serene lakes, and forest trails that offer visitors a deep sense of calm and reflection. Meditation sessions, prayers, and daily rituals conducted by resident monks create an atmosphere of devotion, while the surrounding landscape, filled with fruit trees and wildflowers, provides an eco-retreat for visitors.
 
Throughout the year, the monastery hosts various religious festivals, most notably the Kathina Civara Dana (offering of robes), observed by over 50,000 devotees and visitors. The occasion includes prayers, cultural events, and communal meals, bringing together people of different backgrounds in celebration and unity.
 
In the evenings, the monastery grounds are illuminated, casting a golden glow over the forest and lake. The echo of chanting prayers mingles with the sound of rustling leaves, offering visitors a profound spiritual experience.
 
Visitors often describe the forest monastery as a rare place where faith, peace, and natural beauty converge. With proper infrastructure and preservation, Shantipur Aranya Kutir is poised to become one of South Asia’s leading models of religious tourism and sustainable eco-travel.
 
END/BTK/SMA/