Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Nava Ratna Temple
[post_id] => 17760
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/nava-ratna-temple/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/nava-ratna-temple-7-232x300.jpg
[post_content] =>
The 300-year old Teota Zamindar Palace (তেওতা জমিদার বাড়ী) at the village Teota under Shibalaya Upazila in Manikganj District still stands with pride & dignity becoming a living testimony to the history of that time. Travelers and explorers can't resist the temptation of having a look at the captivating old palace when they pass through the area. There is a temple just adjacent to this old palace named 'Nava-Ratna Temple' (নব-রত্ন মন্দির). For the readers concern, it is to inform that there are very few 'Nava-Ratna' Temples in Bengal.
According to the stone inscription found in Nava-Ratna Temple inside of the Teota Palace, this palace was constructed during the years between 1702 to 1703. As per this account, the age of the building is more than 300 years. Hemshangkar Estate consists of the buildings located on the north side of the main buildings of Teota Zamindar Palace and establishments on the southern side of Zamindar Palace form Joyshangkar Estate. There is a hidden chamber called ‘black pit’ in the underground of the southern building. Four storied Nava-Ratna Temple stands in front of the south building. It is 75 feet high. There are four more temples near the south building. The Zaminder Palace in Teota is established on 7.38 acres of land. Some portions of the building have collapsed.
Features and Origins
The navaratna style of temple architecture (Sanskrit: नवरत्न, meaning "nine gems") incorporates two main levels, each with four spired corner pavilions, and a central pavilion above, for a total of nine spires. The style arose in Bengal during the eighteenth century as an elaboration of the pancharatna (পঞ্চ রত্ন) style that had five pavilions (four at the corners and one above).
)
[1] => Array
(
[name] => Joy Kali Temple
[post_id] => 10073
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/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.
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => Varatkhali Kastho Mandir
[post_id] => 5112
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/varatkhali-kastho-mandir/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/DSC08786-300x225.jpg
[post_content] =>
Varatkhali Kastho Mandir (ভরতখালী কাষ্ঠ মন্দির) is one of the most common Tirthasthan of Hindu community. It was built around two hundred years ago by Ramonikanto Ray Zamindar (রমনীকান্ত রায় জমিদার). There is a folktale that a pieces of timber had been found in Ghagot (ঘাঘট) river. Someone had collected the timber and when he hit it with an axe, the timber was bleeding out. That night, Zamindar Ramonikanto had dreamed someone saying, "I have come to your ghat, worship me with Eligible reception" (আমি তোর ঘাটে এসেছি,আমাকে যোগ্য সমাদর করে পূজা কর).
By the next day, the Zamindar ordered a craftsman(কারিগর) to make the timber into a sculpture as a Mandir. At the bottom of the sclupture, a Banian tree had been created. That is why it is called Kastho Mandir. Every year in the month of Boishakh, a beautiful crowded fair is held here.
)
[3] => Array
(
[name] => Fegnasar Shiva Temple
[post_id] => 9298
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/fegnasar-shiva-temple/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Fegnasar-shib-1-169x300.jpg
[post_content] =>
Fegnasar Shiva Temple (ফেগুনসার শিব মন্দির) was built in the reign (1159-1185 AD) of great King Bollal Shena. Another conception said, it might be built between 1725-1758 AD during the reign of King Raj Bollov. In course of time, it was on the way to destruction. Then, Moharaja Raj Bollov took some initiative to reconstruct that. It can not be assured who particularly built that temple. King Ballav was a great devotee of Shiva.
This temple is in rectangular shape at base,measuring 15 feet length,10 feet width and about 25 feet high from the ground. Very common constructing material like bricks, cement and limes being used to build that temple. At the last day of full moon night in every Bengali month of Falgun, there is a large festival of worshiping being held here.
There are so many stories being populated among common people about the builder of that Temple. Inside the temple, there is a large "Shiva Lingha" (শিব লিঙ্গ) (Phallus) placed. According to the local people, this is the largest phallus brought from South India (not true at all,because largest one is located at Faridpur District). Just about 100 meter away, there is a branch of Dhaleswari river flowing.
This place is sometimes locally mentioned as Raypura Mondir
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)
