As evening settled over the hill districts of Bandarban and neighboring areas, thousands of lamps illuminated the landscape while sky lanterns floated above local settlements, marking the celebration of Maha Waggyowai Pwe, commonly known as Prabarana Purnima. This annual festival holds deep religious and cultural significance for the Marma, Mro, Khyang, Khumi, Chak, and other Buddhist communities residing in the region.

Prabarana Purnima signifies the conclusion of Vassa, the traditional three-month Buddhist retreat that begins on Ashari Purnima and ends on Ashwina Purnima. During Vassa, monks remain confined to their monasteries to dedicate themselves to meditation and study of Buddhist teachings. The festival celebrates themes of self-purification, restraint, and reflection, as devotees visit monasteries to offer prayers, donate food, and seek blessings for their families and communities.

A prominent highlight of the festival is the worship of Buddha Upagupta, carried on a chariot intricately adorned and fashioned in the shape of a mythical celestial bird. The ceremonial observance is led by the Gurubhante, the presiding monk, who initiates the ritual by lighting lamps before the Buddha image. Devotees then engage in prayers and participate in a procession that carries the chariot through village streets and past monasteries. The ceremony culminates with the immersion of the chariot into the Sangu River.

In conjunction with religious activities, the festival also celebrates the agricultural cycle, particularly the harvest period from jhum, or shifting cultivation fields. Families present offerings including rice, maize, vegetables, and other seasonal produce to monasteries while honoring elders within their communities.

Another distinctive custom involves the release of glowing sky lanterns, locally referred to as phanush, which serve as a tribute to Chulamoni Cetiya. The event brings together multiple generations, who prepare traditional cakes and participate in preserving the customs and heritage that have been handed down through the years.

Prabarana Purnima serves as a multifaceted occasion that blends faith, cultural identity, and community cohesion in the hill districts, underscoring the enduring significance of Buddhist traditions among the indigenous populations in this part of Bangladesh.