Panchari Shantipur Aranya Kutir (Panchari Shantipur Aranya Kutir), a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists, is situated in the deep forest of Panchari in Khagrachari district, covering an area of about 65 acres. This kuthi was established in 1999 by Principal Bhante Bhadanta Rajanrakshita Mahathero to facilitate the meditation of the monks in a quiet natural environment. The main attraction of Shantipur Aranya Aranya Kuthir is the second-largest Buddhist statue in South Asia and the largest in Bangladesh. It took about 4 years to build this 50-foot aesthetic Buddhist statue. Surrounded by small hills and hill trees, the hut has spacious grounds, two artificial lakes, a stage, a small fenced house, and a lighthouse for devotees to worship.
More than 20,000 different forest and fruit trees planted around Kuthir continue to play an important role in protecting the forest and environment. Among the other structures of Shantipur Aranya Kuthir are the well-decorated prayer place, the statue of Lavishreshtha Sibley Mahasthavir, the statue of Upagupta Mahasthavir, the conqueror of the battle, the monk’s shala with a length of 100 cubits, the desnaghar with a length of 60 cubits, the dining room with a length of 80 cubits, Maitri Bhavan, the residence of the head monk, and the beautiful shramanshala. Each of the sculptures in Kuthira depicts different stories, teachings, and inspirational sayings from the life of Gautama Buddha. Besides, there are more than 25 sadhana authors and sub authors. In each hut, a bhikkhu and seaman are engaged in meditation. There are 13 huts behind the big statue where devotees perform Sadhana, hence public entry is prohibited. To facilitate religious rituals, entry of visitors to Panchari Shantipur Aranya Kuthir is prohibited from 11 am to 1.30 pm.
This non-violent religious organization plays a leading role in maintaining peace, harmony, and harmony in Panchari. Buddhist pujas and festivals are organized here on Buddhist Purnima, Asadhi, and Prabarana Purnima every year. More than 50,000 devotees and pilgrims from different parts of the country come to this Panchari Shantipur Aranya Kuthira during the difficult Cheebar donation. Every day hundreds of pilgrims and tourists arrive here from different parts of the country.
How to go
Khagrachari can be reached by St. Martin Hyundai, Shanti, Shyamoli, Hanif, Econo, Relax, and Eagle transport from Dhaka’s Gabtali, Syedabad, Uttara, or Arambagh. The fare per person by bus is Tk 750-850 for non-AC and Tk 1000 to Tk 1600 for AC. The distance from Khagrachari to Shantipur Aranya Kuthir is 25 km. Khagrachari district city bus can reach Panchari by renting a jeep or Mahendra car and going to Panchari Shantipur Aranya Kuthi.