Kantaji Temple
Type: Temple
Contributed By: Nayeem
Brief
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.
How to go
Referred to how to go Dinajpur from Dhaka, click here.
How To Reach: Dinajpur District
Dinajpur and Dhaka are also linked by road. You take a bus from Dhaka to get to Dinajpur. Some of the bus services are listed below for your assistance:
1. Keya Paribahan
Contact: Gabtoli: 88-02-9000812, 01193-255 944. 01193-255 943
Shyamoli: 01193-255 941
Arambagh: 01711-704 171
Uttora: 01197-435 092
2. Bablu Enterprise
Contact: Shymoli: 8120653, 01716 932 122
Fair: BDT 600 (Approx.)
3. Nabil Enterprise
Contact: Asad gate: 02-9007036, 02-8012136
Fair: BDT 600 (Approx.)
4. Mim Paribahan
Contact: Gabtoli: 01911013694, 01734422971
Where to Stay
The accommodation facilities in Dinajpur are developed than before. Some of the places you may consider staying in are listed below for your assistance.
1. Al Rashid Hotel
Contact: 01716 535956, 0531 65658
2. Hotel Diamond
Contact: 64629
3. Hotel Unique
Contact: 01736 335264, 0531 52203
4. Parjatan Motel
Contact: 64718
5. Caritas Guest House
West Shibrampur, Dinajpur,
Phone: 0531-65673, Email: cbdinaj@btcl.net.bd
6. Dinajpur Circuit House
RK Mission Road, Dinajpur.
Phone: 0531-63112, 63377
7. FPAB Guest House
Ghashipara, Dinajpur.
Phone: 0531-63214, Email: dinajpur@fpab.org
8. Hotel Capilla
Hili, Dinajpur.
Phone: 05329-75364
Things to do
One can start his journey for the monument from Dinajpur town or Sayedpur Airport by any kind of motorized vehicle. We suggest travelers to hire a rickshaw van of take a ride by ‘Nosimon’ from the place called “Das Mile”, which means 10 miles’ upto “Baro Mile”, which means 12 miles’ boat point. It may take 10-20 Taka person for ride. You can also observe architectural beauty of 1704-1752 A.D. of the temple.
Eating Facilities
The food management is also very good. You can get different types of food items there. It won’t be a great problem to find a suitable restaurant for you to eat. The foods are also very delicious. You can get foods also from the resident hotel where you are staying.
Travel Tips
There is a small market where you can find different types of items that are related with these places. These are really nice places that are very charming.
