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A grand religious function was held in Cox's Bazar Town to celebrate the 2500 , year of Buddha Sasana in the 1956 AD. as were observed in almost all the Buddhist Countries with great pomp and grandeur. It was quite fortunate enough to have seen such a celebration on the part of a Buddhist in ones life time.

A celebration Committee was formed the lst week of April 1956 with a good number of leading Buddhist of Cox's Bazar sub-division for the succeessful celebaration of the 2500th Buddhist-sasana year at the sub-divisional town of Cox's Bazar. The Committee was headed by Mr. U Sein, Mr. Amiya Kumar Barua, Mr. San Tun Aung of Nilla Chowdhury para, Mr. Kyaw Mra Oo Chowdhury and Mr. Mauug Saw Hla Chowdhury of Teknaf, Mr. Saw Hla Auug and Mr. Thah Na Sawdagar of Ramu, Mr. Aung Zan Phru Sawdagar and Mr. Maung Tun Aung of Moiscal, Mr. U Sein Tun of Cox's Bazar and a number of leading persons of Cox's Bazar subdivision.

The committee chalked out an elaborate programme for the successful celebration including invitation of a leading Buddhist Monk from Burma. According they invited through the government level and was accepted by the Burmese government, Venarable U Narada Sayadaw, one of the leading monks of Burma was sent to Chittagong by plane by the Burmese government a few days ahead of the schedule. The celebration committee brought the Venerable the Saradaw from Chittagon by steamer to Cox's Bazar. On arrival of the steamer at the mouth of river Baghkhali the Venerable Saradaw was warmly received at the ghat by two big jali boats beautifully decorated and a musical show performed by a band party. A large number of devotees flowed at the river bank. The Saradaw was taken to the Aggamadha Temple in a procession by chantins, "long live Buddha Sasna" in Rakhaing. More than 600 Buddhist monks and about one lakh lay people from all walks of life assembled at Cox's Bazar on this occasion.

In the early morning of May 22, 1956, the national flag and the religious flags were hoisted ceremonially by the senior monks after chanting the "Pariths" and administering precepts to the devotees. Later the monks were served with "Ah Room Swen" in the premises of Aggamedha Temple. At 10 A.M. Ceremonial "Pinda Dana" was held which was joyfully participated by women folk of all ages, which was a sight to see.

At about 2.P.M. the celebration was inaugurated by then Sub-Divisional officer of Cox's Bazar in presence of lacs Buddhist and members of other communities. The temple and its precincts echoing from the sounds of Gongs, bells and khongs. besides chanting hyms from the holly book "TIPITAKA".  Mr. Maung Ree of Bazalia, Mra. Tha Tun, Mr. San Hla Aung, Mr. U Sein Tun Mr. Amiya Kumar Barua, Mr. U. Sein and others spoke on the occasion and Mr. San Hla Aung of Ramu had made a beautiful plan for the erection of a monument in the memory of holding the 2500th Buddha Sasana year anniversary. Accordingly the building of the proposed monument had standing in front of the Cox's Bazar Maha Thindawgree some days ahead of the inauguration of the celebration. Unfortunately, an unprecedented heavy rain swept away leaving behind a small portion of concrete iron frame. But the time did not allowed to make the monument a fresh accordingly, as the inauguration was knocking at the door. Hence, the circumstances compelled to complete the same by altering its original plan and design. A 25 feet tall pillar with 7 feet circumference which is still standing to-day increasing the beauty of the Maha Thindaw Gree compound was erected and opened on May 24, 1956.

On this occasion, a "Wangaba" (Labyrinth)was constructed by bamboo with a beautifully decorated "Prathet" in its middle in the Maha Thindaw gree ground by one Mr. Aung Tha Tun, a famous carpenter and artisan of the Area, which was one of the special attraction to the devotees of the celebration. Besides, a Pavilion within the premise of "Wimathara Kyaung" for staging Rakhain Theater, another pavilion within "Chanda May zu Kyang" Premises was erected for staging Bangla drama and the ground floor of "Aggamedha Kyang" was beautifully decorated with colourful papers and flowers for religious performances.

On the night of 22nd May, the devotees were entertained with a " Yin Akah" partcipated by number of Rakhaing young beauties of the area. On the night of 22nd to 24th May Rakhaing Zat pwee" were staged by the Rakhaing artists of Cox's Bazar and khuruskul by turn. It was directed by Mr. Than Loon Aung of Cox's Bazar and partcipated by mesers,. Tha Kywa Oo. Tha Kyaw, Kwan Maung, kyaw sein Oo. Han Maung, Maung Hla way, Tha Sein Ba Than, U Ba Han, Maung Phoe Hla, U Sein Tun, Phoe Maung and others. the traditional musical instruments were played by sara Pru maung. Maung Maung, Hla Thwee, Tun Maung, Nyo Maung, Ba Ba gree, Ba Sein, Sara Pro Maung was awarded with a gold medal by the celebration committee for his best performance.
In the noon, religious deliberation were arranged by some senior monks, where thousands of devotees joined and accepted precepts administered by the monks.

On the 24th May, The Programme was most attractive. A colourful rally was held joined by over 600 monks and nearly one lac devotees in their traditional dresses which started from the Aggamedha Temple and passed through the main roads of the town, It was followed by traditional musical bands of different places of Cox's Bazar Sub-division. The rally ended in the premises of Aggamedha Temple, where the senior Buddhist monks administered the devotes with "Silas" and the holy book Tipitaka.

After the completion of religious performance while the audiance were enjoying " Zat Pwe' and "Drama" as usual, the strong wind accompanied by heavy shower disrupted the programme and the celebration ended before schedule. The audiences were compelled to leave the place in search for their safe shelter for a while.

Source: The Rakhaing Review published by Rakhaing Buddhist Welfare Association (Bangladesh).