Workers, religious organizers, and local officials in Dhamrai are wrapping up final preparations for one of South Asia’s oldest religious festivals.
The Rath Yatra, now in its estimated 400th year, will begin Friday, June 27, with a traditional chariot procession starting from Rathkhola in Dhamrai Bazaar and ending at Jatrabari. The return journey, known as the Ulto Rath, is scheduled for July 5.
A traditional fair will also take place throughout the month, drawing visitors from neighboring towns and districts.
Artisans have been working to finish painting and decorating the chariot. “I do this every year. This time, we should be done in two or three days,” one painter said.
You can feel the buzz already—Rath Yatra is almost here. It’s a special time for the local Hindu community, full of meaning and memories. Everyone’s hoping for another joyful celebration, and from the looks of it, the organizers are on top of everything.
The Upazila Nirbahi Officer confirmed that after thorough planning meetings, both the administration and the temple have all their bases covered. So while everyone expects a peaceful day with extra crowd control, all that’s left is the waiting—and for the great chariot to finally begin its journey.
