Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Dhakeshwari National Temple
[post_id] => 1455
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/dhakeshwari-national-temple/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Dhakeshwari-National-Temple-3-300x225.jpg
[post_content] =>
Dhakeshwari National Temple is a Hindu temple in Dhaka city. It is state-owned, giving it the distinction of being Bangladesh's 'National Temple'. The name "Dhakeshwari" means "Goddess of Dhaka". Since the destruction of Ramna Kali Mandir in 1971 by the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Dhakeshwari Temple has assumed status as the most important Hindu place of worship in Bangladesh.
The Dhakeshwari temple was built in the 12th century by Ballal Sen, a king of the Sena dynasty, and many say the city was named after this temple. The current architectural style of the temple cannot be dated to that period because of the numerous repairs, renovations and rebuilding which have taken place over time. It is considered an essential part of Dhaka's cultural heritage. Many researchers said that the temple is also one of the Shakti Peethas, where the jewel from the crown of the Goddess Satihad fallen. Although there is not enough historical context to establish this as a fact, researchers were directed to this site while trying to locate the particular Shakti Peetha. Since ages, the temple has been held in great importance. The original 800-year old statue was taken to Kumartuli, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. There remains the replica of original idol in Dhaka. The temple was further damaged during the Muslim mob attacks of 1989–90.
It is widely believed that the Queen, wife of King Bijoy Sen, went to Langolbond for bathing. While coming back, she gave birth to a son, known to historians as Ballal Sen. After ascending to the throne, Ballal Sen built this temple to glorify his birthplace. Legends say that Ballal Sen once dreamt of the deity covered under the jungle. Ballal Sen uncovered the deity from there and built a temple, named for Dhakeswari. Whatever the legends describe, Hindu religious consider Dhakeswari to be the presiding deity of Dhaka, which is an incarnation or form of Goddess Durga the Adi Shakti . The idol of Durga is called Dhakeswari.
Within the premises of the Dhakeswari there are temples of two types of architecture. The ancient one is of the Poncharotna Goddess Durga’s which lost its actual look after the renovation work. Bradly Bird wrote this at the beginning of this century. The present temple is two hundred years old which was built by an agent of East India Company. Most probably he had renovated the temple. Other than this there are four Shib Temples. According to hearsay, in the 16th century King Mansing built these temples by laying four Shib Lingas there. But this information seems to be unreliable. The fusion of Bangla chowchala and shikor temple is notice in the architecture of Dhakeshawri. Ratan Lal Chakraborti in an article mentioned that “ the structure and architecture of it is like a BuddhistPagoda”. He opined that it was probably a Boddist pagoda which was turned into a Hindu temple later. From this, he assumed that the temple was probably built in the 10th century.
How did Dhakeshari temple look like in the 19th century? Ridoynath Majumder described about the temple. At that time the temple was covered by jungle and in its north the Urdu road went westward towards Pilkhana and at its south west was Mirpur road. At its south there was a wood and Urdu bazaar was at the east.
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[1] => Array
(
[name] => Boshder Benami Moth
[post_id] => 9312
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/boshder-benami-moth/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/benami-moth-169x300.jpg
[post_content] =>
A significant number of Hindu Moth is found in all over the Bangladesh. Some of those are still standing with great structural strength and some are decaying day by day. Boshder Benami Moth is one of those, a nearly destroyed Hindu Moth which is around 200 years old.
It's assumed that Bosder Benami Moth was built by some great Merchant named 'Bosh' located just beside the Bosder Jamidar Bari.
Now, It's almost being griped by a gigantic banyan tree which has caused severe damage to the exterior & interior of this structure. If it goes like this way, then it will totally being destroyed in near future.
Necessary steps should be taken for immediate conservation and preservation of this structure.
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[2] => 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).
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[3] => Array
(
[name] => Jora Shiv Mandir
[post_id] => 16208
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/bn/places/jora-shiv-mandir/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Jora-Shiv-Mandir7-225x300.jpg
[post_content] =>
Jora Shiv Mandir is located at the Sukulpotti area of Natore Sadar. It is assumed that this Shiv Temple was established by the adopted daughter of High Queen Rani Bhabani. In Sangskrit language, Shiv means happy/benevolent/kind/eminent. Also, as for a person’s name, it is meant as auspicious/ propitous. This temple is also known as Sree Sree Mohakali and Jora Shiv Mandir.
In the Bangla month of Falgun, the 14th lunar day’s night of dark fortnight is considered as the Shiv-night which is very auspicious for Hindu women. This temple holds the architectural beauty and history of many many years.The outer scenario and design can easily depict the expert artistical work and the inclination of hte then architects. every year, Hindu community celebrate very gorgeous Durga Puja in this temple.
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