Kantaji Temple – the finest Hindu monument in Bangladesh
Kantaji Temple, also known as the Kantanagar Temple, is located in
the graceful heart of gorgeous countryside of Dinajpur. This is a
stunning block of religious artwork, and is surely one of the most
impressive Hindu monuments in Bangladesh.
Built in 1704-1752 A.D. by Pran Nath, a renowned maharaja from
Dinajpur, and his adopted son Ram Nath, it is the country’s finest
example of brick and terracotta style. Its most remarkable feature,
typical of late Mughal-era temples, is its superb surface decoration,
with infinite panels of sculpted terracotta plaques.
This 15-sq-meter, three-story edifice was originally crowned with
nine ornamental two-story towers, which collapsed during the great
earthquake of 1897 and were never replaced. The temple is built on a
high platform. This is a Nava-ratna temple. The roof of the ground floor
and first floor each contains four sikharas or ratnas at their corners
while the roof of second floor in its middle contains the ruins of the
central sikhara.
The entire outer surface of the temple is exquisitely established
with terracotta plaques which depict flora and fauna, geometric motifs,
mythological scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and the
contemporary social scenes and favorite pastime. The idol of Kantaji is
kept in the garvagriha of the temple in its ground floor.
The department of Archaeology has been performing the necessary
conservation and restoration works of Kantaji Temple since it was
declared a protected monument by the Government in 1960. This is a
UNESCO world heritage site.
Ever visited Kantaji Temple? Share your experience with us here in comments!
কোন মন্তব্য নেই:
একটি মন্তব্য পোস্ট করুন