Hindu temple, Gopalganj
Orakandi Thakur Bariওড়াকান্দি ঠাকুরবাড়ি
- Time needed
- One to two hours; a full day at the mela.
- best months
- Mar–Apr
- Cost
- Free.
The birthplace of Harichand Thakur, founder of the Matua movement, and the faith's main pilgrimage centre, in Kashiani upazila.
At a glance
- Founder
- Harichand Thakur
- Main festival
- Baruni bath and mela, spring
About
Harichand Thakur began the Matua movement in the nineteenth century among the poorer farming communities of this region; his son Guruchand Thakur carried it on, with a strong push for schooling. Their family home at Orakandi became the centre of the faith.
The great day is the Baruni bath in spring, when pilgrims from across Bangladesh and India bathe in the tank and a large fair, the Barunir mela, fills the village. The rest of the year the temple grounds are calm.
Getting there: Bus or train to Kashiani, then an easy-bike to Orakandi.
Things to do
- Come for the Baruni bath to see the pilgrimage at its height.
Good to know
- During the mela the roads are packed; go early in the day.
