Madhnagar Rath Bari
Type: History & Culture
Contributed By: Nayeem
Brief
Madhnagar Rath Bari (মাধনগর রথবাড়ী) is the largest and oldest Rath Bari of this subcontinent. In 1867, the famous Zamindar Zamini Sundori Bosak of Dilalpur area in Pabna, established this Rath (Chariot in English). The owner of the Rath was the then Zamindar of Natore, Shoilobala (শৈলবালা) and Kalidashi (কালীদাসী). Once upon a time, each year according to the lunar, in the Bengali month of Ashar (আষাঢ়), people celebrated Chariot fare and rituals here. The Zamindars of Birakutsa (বীরকুৎসা) and Goyalkandi (গোয়ালকান্দি) used to send their elephants to take part and work in this Chariot. The landlord Zamini Sundori of Dilalpur in Pabna used to send all the expenses.
Since 1867 until 1947, she carried all the costs. After the partition, it had been dysfunctional. From the year 2012, the Chariot has been started again by the local community, and started rituals again. There are currently 15 acres of land in the name of the Chariot. Pintu Odhikari is responsible for maintaining the whole rituals and maintenances of Rath Bari. There is a Mandir just near to the Rath Bari where the locals perform their rituals.
How to go
This place is located in the West Madhnagar Village of Madhnagar Union. After reaching at Natore Sadar, take rickshaw to go Natore Station. From there, you can find CNG or Auto rickshaw to go Madhnagar Union of Naldanga Upazila. The fare is TK 30. After reaching at Madhnagar Bazar, take VAN to reach that Rath Bari.
How To Reach: Naldanga Upazila
After reaching at Natore Sadar Upazila, take Auto or rickshaw from Dhaka bus stand or Madrasa Mor (মাদ্রাসা মোড়) to reach Natore Railway Station. From the Station Bazar, you can either take local train or auto-rickshaw or CNG to reach Naldanga Bazar.
Where to Stay
There are no staying facilities in Naldanga Upazila as it has been established as a new Upazila. You have to stay in Natore Sadar
Eating Facilities
Referred to where to eat at Natore Sadar, click here
The splendid building still stands tall along the bank of the Kumar River beckoning the people passing by it to have a look of its grandeur and magnificence. None can resist the temptation of taking a look at the captivating old structure when one passes by it.
In the absence of proper maintenance and renovation, weeds have grown in and around the house while the mossy bricks are crumbling down from the decaying structure. The house has lost much of its charm of terracotta due to the authorities’ negligence. Locals have already taken away many of the bricks, plaques, wooden doors and windows. The house has become a safe haven for drug addicts and gamblers due to lack of proper initiatives for its preservation and maintenance. Local people use the building as their cowshed and it has turned into the public toilet.
