Dhamrai Metal Craft Village & Roth

Dhamrai Metal Craft Village is an extraordinary living heritage sanctuary located in Dhamrai upazila, approximately 40 kilometres northwest of central Dhaka. For centuries, this historic township on the banks of the Bangshi River has been the preeminent center of bronze, brass, and bell-metal craftsmanship in Bangladesh, practicing the rare and ancient 'lost-wax' (cire perdue) casting technique that dates back over two millennia.

Walking through the artisan quarters of Dhamrai, visitors can witness master metalworkers (Kangsabanik artisans) meticulously sculpting intricate wax models of Hindu deities, traditional oil lamps, sacred bells, animal figurines, and ornate tableware. The wax model is layered with river clay, baked in earthen kilns, and melted away to create a hollow mold into which molten brass or bronze is poured, producing singular, handcrafted masterpieces.

Dhamrai is also world-renowned for the monumental Dhamrai Jagannath Roth (Chariot), a massive multi-tiered wooden temple chariot standing over 37 feet high. Every year during the Roth Yatra festival in June–July, tens of thousands of devotees gather to pull this towering chariot through the streets in one of the subcontinent's most vibrant religious pageants.

Exploring the historic artisan studios, ancient terracotta temples, and tranquil riverfront lanes of Dhamrai offers a deeply rewarding cultural journey into the timeless artistic soul of Bengal.

The lost-wax brass casting tradition of Dhamrai can be traced back to the Pala dynasty (8th–12th centuries), producing exquisite Buddhist and Hindu iconography revered across Asia.

The celebrated original 17th-century wooden Roth of Dhamrai was tragically burned down during the 1971 Liberation War; the present grand chariot was meticulously rebuilt using traditional teakwood joinery.

Generations of hereditary master artisans, notably the renowned Sukanta Banik family, have persevered to preserve this endangered handicraft heritage against modern mass-produced aluminum and plastic competition.

November to February: Cool, dry season; ideal for leisurely workshop visits and heritage photography.

June / July: Annual Roth Yatra festival; vibrant crowds, cultural fairs, and the ceremonial chariot pulling.

Year-round: Artisan workshops operate throughout the year.