Experience the spirit of devotion, unity, and faith at the world’s largest Islamic gathering. Bishwa Ijtema (World Muslim Congress) has been held in Bangladesh in January every year since 1942. More than five million pilgrims throng the banks of the Turag River on the outskirts of Dhaka in Tongi for three days of heightened spirituality, mass prayers, and iconic train departure scenes.
More time to shoot: Smart logistics, fewer long drives, more photography.
Exclusive access: Unique encounters with local communities, artisans, and pilgrims.
Cultural immersion: Dive deep into the vibrant traditions and everyday life of Bangladesh.
Photograph iconic sites & hidden gems. Film the enormous crowds in Tongi, the typical sights of trains leaving with believers on the roof, and the chaotic street life. Discover the off-the-beaten-path towns and modest river ports where the genuine life happens on a daily basis and gives you an opportunity to take distinctive and outstanding photos.
Live the daily life of pilgrims, street sellers, and local residents. Take intimate pictures of men and women worshipping and families on the banks of sacred rivers. Bangladesh has some of the world’s richest and most diversified human stories.
Capture the vibrant energy of Dhaka’s bustling markets, rickshaws, and street vendors. Photograph pilgrims and boats along the Turag River, and explore colorful local markets, alleyways, and traditional villages for candid human moments. Document festivals, daily rituals, and historic streets to frame striking urban and portrait shots.
January 5-11
01 Person: $2100
02 to 08 Person group: $1500
We believe in quality, personalised tuition with a ratio 1:6 maximum.
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We also offer private and customized guided photo tours
Karwan Bazar: Experience the buzz of Bangladesh’s largest wholesale market, where fishmongers, vegetable vendors, and everyday commerce flourish. Dhaka Railway Station: Catch the busy hustle of commuters on the platforms, loading and unloading of goods, and passengers. Neighbouring Slums of Station: Real street life, local communities, and vibrant city life in the heart of Dhaka. Lively Streets & Urban Life: Feel the pulse of the streets of Dhaka, with rickshaws darting in and out of traffic and street vendors lining the ways.
Local Brick Kilns at Work: Shows the whole process of brick making from the preparation of the clay to the firing of the kiln, showing the hard work and skill involved. Close-up of Brick Workers: Watch workers carefully and expertly shaping and stacking raw bricks. Daily Routines & Lunchtimes: Informal, candid moments of workers in social interactions, breaks, and meals. Brick Firing & Loading Scenes: Witness heavy loading processes, smoke, and fiery kilns—the backbone of the local construction industry.
Coal Port Labourers: Workers shovelling coal together as a team at busy river ports. Sand Extraction & Transport: Manual and mechanical sand collection, barge loading, and riverside scenery. Riverbank Life Scenes: Depict life on the riverbank, including boats, fishermen, and communities interacting with the waterway.
Tongi Mass Congregational Prayers: A colossal and spiritually exhilarating occasion where millions of devotees pray in unison. Roadside Devotee Prayers: Intimate shots of pilgrims praying on the roads, emphasizing devotion and human emotion. Faith-Filled Pilgrimage Activities: Photo opportunities for sermons, Quranic discussions, charity food distribution, and daily rituals.
Capturing the raw human stories, vibrant cultural festivals, and breathtaking heritage landscapes of Bangladesh through immersive documentary photography expeditions.