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The Dhamrai Rath Yatra

Dhamrai in Dhaka district is known for the country's oldest and most traditional Rath Yatra.

Last checked: 2 Nov 2026 · 3 sources

The Rath at Dhamrai

Dhaka Tribune's 2025 report says the country's oldest and most traditional Ratha Yatra is held in Dhamrai in Dhaka district. (Source: Dhaka Tribune, Hindus celebrate Ratha Yatra amid religious fervor (28 June 2025))

The chariot is pulled from Madhabbari (Madhab Mandir) to the Gope Nagar temple about half a kilometre away, described as the in-laws' house. After a week it returns to Madhab Mandir, which is the Ulto Rath. (Source: Wikipedia, Dhamrai Rathayatra)

History of the Rath

Wikipedia gives 1672 as the start and says the Rath is said to be about 400 years old, but some claims carry citation-needed tags, so the start year is not settled. A bamboo Rath existed earlier, and records mention it up to 1697 (Bangla year 1204). (Source: Wikipedia, Dhamrai Rathayatra)

In 1933 (Bangla 1340) the last wooden Rath was finished: 60 ft high, 45 ft wide, three storeys, with 32 large wooden wheels. Carpenters from Dhamrai, Kaliakoir, Saturia and Singair worked on it for about a year, and its ropes took about 1,000 kg of jute. (Source: Wikipedia, Dhamrai Rathayatra)

During the 1971 Liberation War the Pakistan Army burned the Rath and abducted and killed its chief patron R.P. Saha. A makeshift bamboo Rath was built afterwards to keep the festival going. (Source: Wikipedia, Dhamrai Rathayatra)

A new three-storey Rath with 15 wheels, decorated with statues of gods and goddesses, was built in 2010. In 2006 the then Indian High Commissioner had pledged funds for a new Rath. (Source: Wikipedia, Dhamrai Rathayatra)

The fair and the crowd

The Roth Mela is held in the month of Ashadh, usually in June and sometimes July, and lasts about a month. Thousands of devotees come, and many Bengali Muslims take part too. Devotees pull the chariot by rope, which they consider sacred. (Source: Wikipedia, Dhamrai Rathayatra)

Dhamrai Upazila

Dhamrai became a thana in 1914 and a full upazila on 15 December 1984. (Source: Wikipedia, Dhamrai Upazila)

💡 It gets crowded while the chariot is pulled. Look around before taking the rope, and keep children close.

💡 Check the exact Rath Yatra and Ulto Rath days on our Rath Yatra page before planning the trip.

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