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Rakher Upobas Photography Tour– Bangladesh
The festival Rakher Upobas Photography Tour comes alive in the evening with rows of devotees lighting hundreds of oil lamps (pradeep) and incense sticks while chanting sacred mantras. This Dhaka Candle Festival Photography Tour is perfect for capturing the spiritual essence of the event, whether you are a seasoned photographer, travel blogger, or documentary filmmaker.
Best Time to Visit: November (Hindu month of Kartik) – when the festival is at its peak.
Experience the mesmerizing glow and devotion of Rakher Upobas Photography Tour, a sacred Hindu fasting ritual held annually in Dhaka. Thousands of devotees gather at Shri Loknath Brahmachari Ashram and other temples across Bangladesh to honor Baba Loknath Brahmachari, a revered saint.
Tour Highlights
- Lighting Festival.
- Plastic Recycling & Leather Drying
- Dhaka City Life.
- Asia’s largest Shipyard
- Village & Batik Art
- Traditional Brick Factories.
Highlights of The Rakher Upobas Photography Tour
- Sacred Candlelight Rituals: Witness and photograph the serene glow of oil lamps during Rakher Upobas.
- Devotional Ceremonies: Capture intimate moments of prayer, chanting, and spiritual reflection among devotees.
- Cultural Immersion: Explore local communities and understand the significance of the festival.
- Expert Guidance: Learn from award-winning photographer Istiyak Ahamed Srabon, ensuring every shot tells a story.
Day 1: Arrival & Dhaka City Life
- Dhaka city streets, markets, train station & slums.
- Kawran Bazar: Capture the bustling energy of Bangladesh’s largest wholesale market, with fishmongers, vegetable vendors, and daily commerce in full swing.
- Dhaka Railway Station: Photograph the everyday hustle of passengers, loading/unloading of goods, and commuters navigating the crowded platforms.
- Slums near the Station: Document authentic street life, local communities, and resilient living conditions in Dhaka’s urban heart.
- Busy Streets & City Life: Capture the chaos and rhythm of Dhaka’s streets, rickshaws weaving through traffic, street vendors, and city interactions.
Day 2: Brick Kilns of Amin Bazar
- Brick kilns in Narsingdi, Savar, or Aminbazar.
- Local Brick Kilns in Action: Shoot the entire brick-making process, from clay preparation to kiln firing, highlighting labor and craftsmanship.
- Workers Shaping Raw Bricks: Focus on intimate portraits of brick workers shaping and stacking raw bricks with precision and skill.
- Daily Routines & Lunchtime Breaks: Observe and capture candid moments of laborers during rest, meal times, and social interactions.
- Brick Firing & Loading Scenes: Document the fiery kilns, smoke, and heavy-loading processes that bring life to the local construction industry.
Day 03: Sadarghat Wholesale Market & Shipyard
- Dhaka – Sadarghat & Keraniganj Shipyards
Sadarghat River Port Activity: Document crowded docks, boat loading/unloading, and river commerce in full swing.
Shipyard Operations: Capture workers constructing, repairing, and maintaining ships, highlighting skill and labor dynamics.
Seasonal Watermelon Transport: Photograph local seasonal trade, showcasing watermelon loading and transport along river routes.
Daily Labor Routines: Observe and capture the life of dockworkers, merchants, and transporters interacting in a busy riverside setting.
Day 04: Coal Workers & Cow Market
- Gabtoli/Narayanganj industrial area.
- Coal Workers: Capture laborers unloading coal, bricks, and sand, showcasing the energy and effort behind industrial life.
- Dhaka’s Biggest Cow Market: Photograph livestock trading, local buyers, and vibrant market interactions.
- Rakher Upobas: Evening festival rituals continue, providing the perfect balance of industrial, rural, and devotional imagery.
Day 05: Village & Batik Art
- Narayanganj or Savar.
- Village Life: Document daily routines, farming activities, and interactions among villagers.
- Batik Fabric Drying (Colorful Cloths): Photograph artisans at work, producing vibrant and visually stunning patterns.
- Farming Life: Capture agricultural routines, tools, and the rhythm of rural living.
- Interviews with Local Artisans & Batik Makers: Add storytelling depth by documenting craftspeople and their techniques.
Day 06: Copper Plate Factory & Lighting Festival
- Shri Loknath Brahmachari Ashram
Ship Repairs & New Ship Construction: Photograph shipyard activity with detailed focus on craftsmanship and labor.
Copper Plate & Bowl Factory: Capture artisans shaping copper products, highlighting textures, patterns, and industrial skill.
Farming Life: Observe and document rural landscapes and daily routines.
Lighting Festival in the Afternoon: Photograph the festival’s glowing lamps, incense, and devotional ceremonies – a key highlight for Photography tour for Hindu rituals in Bangladesh.
Day 07: Plastic Recycling & Leather Drying
- Plastic Recycling Area, Hazaribagh or Hemayetpur.
Morning – Plastic Recycling Area:
Photograph sorting, melting, and processing of plastics in vivid colors and dynamic action.
Capture workers’ expressions and routines while emphasizing sustainability and industrial innovation.
Use wide-angle and close-up compositions to tell detailed stories of environmental labor.
Afternoon – Leather Drying Area (Hazaribagh or Hemayetpur):
Capture traditional leather preparation methods and drying processes under the sun.
Document workers at different stages, from handling raw hides to finished products.
Highlight textures, colors, and cultural craftsmanship for a visually compelling narrative.
Additional Details
Meals
- Breakfast: Served fresh at your hotel daily
- Lunch: Carefully selected local restaurants near photography locations
Accommodation
- 3–4-star hotels with comfortable amenities
- Double-bed room sharing (2 participants per room)
- Facilities include air conditioning, attached bathrooms, Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping, and 24/7 room service (where available)
Transportation
- Daily Transport: Private mini microbus (Toyota HiAce) for all day trips
- Local Transport: Rickshaws, CNGs, and boats for short distances or hard-to-reach areas
- Inter-City Travel: Local buses or trains for destinations outside Dhaka (Brahmanbaria, Jamalpur) for an authentic Bangladeshi experience
- In-Car Snacks: Packaged biscuits, chocolates, bottled water, fruit juice, nuts & local treats
Daily Schedule
- Pickup from hotel at 9:00 AM (earlier for distant locations)
- Photography sessions end around sunset (~5:30 PM)
- Return to hotel after each day’s shoot
Drone Rental Service
- Available for full-day rental with 3 fully charged batteries
- Flexible use for aerial perspectives of landscapes and life
- Rental Fee: 3,500৳ per day (added to tour cost upon request)
Package Pricing
- Single Participant: $2,100 USD per person
- Two-Person Group: $1,900 USD per person
- 2–5 day extensions available to explore more of Bangladesh’s cultural and rural beauty
- Payments are made daily at the end of each day
- Agreed-upon amount must be paid on the same day
- Refund Policy: If you cancel your booking, you will receive a 30% refund of the total amount paid.
Curated By
Md Bipul Ahmed
“It will be my honor to guide you through the vibrant streets, serene countryside, and authentic charm of Bangladesh. Together, let’s capture the soul of this incredible country, one frame at a time. I look forward to sharing this creative adventure with you!”
