Golden Temple (Buddha Dhatu Jadi)

স্বর্ণ মন্দির

A golden-coloured temple on a small hill at Balaghata — known as the largest Theravada Buddhist temple in the country. The 80-ft shrine shows clear Myanmar–Thai architectural influence, and the stairs reward you with a full view over Bandarban town. There is no real gold in it — the name comes from the colour.

৳50 · traveller-reported

History & significance

Built at a cost of around ten crore taka, it is a pilgrimage site for Buddhists at home and abroad. Several Buddha statues sit inside — one is claimed to date back to the Buddha's own era.

How to get there

An easy CNG auto or private-car ride from town toward Balaghata — distances quoted vary, from a few minutes to 7–9 km. It folds neatly into the Nilachal–Meghla day circuit.

Entry fee

৳50 · traveller-reported

One traveller's account mentions a ৳50 per-person ticket at the counter. But word is the temple has stayed closed to visitors for a long stretch — check its current status before making a trip just for this.

Opening hours & best time

Usually 6 AM–1 PM, closed for a few hours midday, then 3–6 PM — but it has reportedly been closed recently, so confirm locally before you go.

Best time

Morning or late-afternoon light flatters the golden colour best.

Traveller tips

Shoes come off outside — you enter barefoot.
With visitor entry reportedly suspended for a long time, several travellers advise double-checking before setting out.
Some construction may be ongoing — factor it into your photo plans.

Location

The exact coordinates of this destination have not been verified yet, so no map location is shown.