The authorities of Golden Temple in the district town yesterday reopened the impressive Buddhist edifice for tourists, withdrawing a restriction earlier imposed on February 20 this year.

The Buddha Dhatu Jadi, locally known as Golden Temple, is the largest Theravada Buddhist Temple with the second largest Buddha statue in Bangladesh.

“Following request from the local administration, we have withdrawn the restriction and the temple will be open for all from today [Wednesday],” said U Pannya Jota Thera, founder and chief priest of the temple.

“On February 20 this year, we put restrictions on visit to the temple as sometimes tourists misbehaved with us and did offensive acts in the temple area,” he said.

The government declared the Golden Temple six other places in two upazilas of the district as reserved tourist spots in October 2013.

The six other spots are Meghla, Nilachal and Prantik Lake at the entrance of the district town, Shailo Propat (waterfall) and Chinbuk peak beside Chinbuk-Thanchi road and Mirinja Hill in Lama upazila.

People related to the tourism industry in the district have welcomed the decision of the temple authorities.

Many tourists from home and abroad gather in the hill district to see the natural beauties and the beautiful spots including the Golden Temple.