Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Joy Kali Temple
[post_id] => 10073
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/joy-kali-temple/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/P_20150610_1817041-169x300.jpg
[post_content] =>
The Joy kali Temple of Dhaka, is situated in a place between Thathari (ঠাটারি) Bazar and Wari. The road was named after this temple itself. Now, literally it is 24 Joy Kali Temple street. Joy Kali Temple is a Hindu temple devoted to Goddess Kali Ma for worshipping. People of Hindu religion of every age come to this temple to worship Goddess Kali. The statue of Goddess Kali is of great significance to the Hindus. The visitors and committee members of this temple gather money for occasions, where sweets are later distributed among them which is called 'Prasad'.
History:
This temple is about 400 years old, established in the Bengali year 1001. During the reign of the Nawabs, Dewan of Nawabs Tulsi Narayan Ghosh and Nabh Narayan Ghosh established this temple with the inspection of Bancharam Saint. At that time they established twenty-one statues of Shiva, Kali, Lakshmi narayan, three Shalgram Chakra, Bandurga etc. A few beautiful monuments like Pancharatna, Nabratna, temple of Shiva, guest house, were built in the house of Joy Kali. Even market named Nawabpur Joy Kali bazar, and a market situated at the south of Kaliganj hut was dedicated to Joy Kali Devi.
Present condition:
The first caretaker of this Joy Kali Devi was Bancharam Saint, the third caretaker was Panachenand, who suffered a decline, so the responsibility to serve the Devi got into the hands of Bhraman Tanyar. Later the landlords of that time seized some of the land of this temple. Starting from that time the temple started to erode, due to lack of maintenance and shortage of money. This temple was damaged during the strike of 1990’s. The temple was renovated later on by Goddess Kali’s followers. Now the temple is much smaller than it was when it was first established. The temple was burgled and valuables looted by thieves in 2010.
Architectural significance:
Inside the boundary of this temple there is basically two temples. One of the temples is of Kali Devi, the other one, which has a dome, is of Shiv. The dome was made out of plaster and is visible from outside. Locals of that area refer to this dome as the Joy Kali Temple. The front of the temple complex is a busy stop for human haulers that go into old Dhaka. The temple has tiles on the walls all around, and the floor is made out of mosaic. There are pictures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses printed on the tiled walls of the temple. The entrance to the temple is welcomed by a logo made of stainless steel saying 'Om'- which is a Hindu divine symbol. In front of the Kali Devi statue is a bell hanging from above, it is a ritual to ring the bell after entering the temple and before leaving.
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[1] => Array
(
[name] => {:en}Shivbari Temple and Zamindar Bari{:}{:bn}শিববাড়ি মন্দিরও ঠাকুরবাড়ি{:}
[post_id] => 4530
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/shivbari-temple-and-zamindar-bari/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Shivbari-temple-and-Jamindar-Bari-300x250.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
Shivbari Temple, around a hundred years old, is one of the top historical places in Barisal Division. Every year, in this temple, on 14th of Falguni month, massive celebrations go on for three days with different puja programs and fairs. At the first day of this festival, people conduct a congregated worship in accordance to the Hindu religion.
On the next two days, the colorful carnivals continue by following religious customs and traditions. Although it is primarily a ritual practiced by the Hindu people, both Hindus and Muslims participate in the Fair. There is a Zamindar Bari just near to this temple.
{:}{:bn}
প্রায় শতবর্ষ পুরাতন শিববাড়ি মন্দির বরিশালের ঐতিহাসিক স্থানগুলোর মধ্যে অন্যতম। প্রতি বছর বাংলা ফাল্গুন মাসের ১৪ তারিখ এই মন্দিরে তিনদিন ব্যাপি পূজা ও মেলার বিশাল আয়োজন করা হয়। এই উৎসবের প্রথমদিন হিন্দুধর্ম অনুযায়ী গনপ্রার্থনার আয়োজন করা হয় এবং পরের দুইদিন ধর্মীয় প্রথা অনুযায়ী বিভিন্ন উৎসব চলতে থাকে। হিন্দুধর্মের উৎসব হলেও মুসলিমরাও এই অংশ নিয়ে থাকেন।
{:}
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => Gouri Moth
[post_id] => 18737
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/gouri-moth/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_20150906_105800133.jpg
[post_content] =>
Gouri Moth (a sacred place dedicated to the culture of Krishna lifestyle) was established in 1943 in Barodia, Kalia, Narail. After a couple of renovations, it is still there to welcome the devotees of Lord Srikrishno. There are some other Gourio moths in entire Bangladesh too. The most prominent one is in Dhaka at Narinda/Wari area.
In 1943, Turyaswami established the original temple after which he put the idol of Radha-Krishno in it. In 1971, during the liberation war of Bangladesh, Pakistani Army destroyed almost everywhere temple in Bangladesh but luckily the Narail area was a base of Bangladeshi Freedom Fighters so that they did not manage to destroy the temple. However, the temple needed renovation, so another Guru (religious preacher) Santo Goswami made a reconstruction of the temple complex.
25 years ago, from Rajstan (India), a White Shiv Lingam has bought in here. Now it is a Shiv Temple too and people come to worship the lingam. It is made of White Marble which is only one of the tenth of its entire criterion in Bangladesh. To see another marble made white Shiv lingam, you need to visit the Rajshahi Barenda Museum or Khulna Divisional Museum.
Few years back, idol of new Radha-Krishno was brought into this temple as well. So, now the temple looks almost as a new structure but many people did not know that it is a historical place and also a heritage sight of Bangladesh especially for the hindu religious people. It is basically a Krishna Temple that means they worship Krishna mainly. In every year during the eve of Krishna's Birthday (Jonmastomi) they arrange a three days program to celebrate it. About 1000 local Hindu people attends the dinner (bhog/prosad) and they sings the holy krishna songs for the entire night.
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[3] => Array
(
[name] => Radha Gobindo Temple
[post_id] => 8789
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/radha-gobindo-temple/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_20150520_122959193_HDR1-300x169.jpg
[post_content] => Radha Gobindo temple (রাধা গোবিন্দ মন্দির) is one of the most ancient temples in Munshiganj. Local people are barely familiar with the name of this temple. Even the temple's land owner doesn't know the actual name of this temple. So, we had to make people understand the nature of this temple to find it out.
After finding the temple, we came to know that this temple is familiar with the name Binoy Shadhur Mandir (মন্দির) rather 'Radha Gobindo' temple.
It's to be mentioned that Binoy Shadhu is taking care of this temple for long 80 years. He said, he was 120 years old. He along with his Shadhu named 'Mongola Rani Das' discovered this temple.
It was very hard to find out the real time period of this temple. Interviewing local people and Binoy shadhu, we could assume that it might be a thousand year old temple, which is very near to destruction. A big banyan tree has grown through the middle of this temple.
Every Bengali year, people arrange a fair in the month of Chaitro (চৈত্র). Basically, Chaitro Shonkrantir Mela (চৈত্র সংক্রান্তির মেলা) is a common festival in Bangladesh. In this event, Binoy Shadhu used to show some magic which has a long time Spiritual recognition to the normal people around there.
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)