Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Sonarong Jora Moth
[post_id] => 8450
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/sonarong-jora-moth/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/SJM-1-300x240.jpg
[post_content] =>
Sonarong (means golden color) is a lovely village at Tongibari Upazila of Munshiganj district. This village belong a beautiful "Moth(মঠ)"(a place for praying by Hindu religious people) which is known as "Sonarong Jora Moth" (সোনারং জোড়া মঠ) ("twin moth"). It is used to call twin moth/temple, because it has two towers side by side. It may be around 150 feet high from the ground. There is a large pond just in front of the Moth. This moth is not functioning now a days. Interviewing local people we came to know that, there are no praying activities take place in this moth. Every side of the moth is covered with trees and that gave a lovely golden and green color's illusional view of the moth.
The larger moth was made for "Shiva"(Hindu God), and made during 1843, and the smaller one for "Kali"(Hindu Goddess), and made during 1886. It was built by a Hindu merchant named "Rupchand" (রূপচাঁদ) From stone inscriptions fixed over the temple’s entrance.
The two towers of the moth are not equal sized. One is much larger than another one. The larger tower has hundreds of holes at the top of it, and each hole is occupied by parrots. Visitors may observe hundreds of parrots from the place, and they are making sweet sound together all the day long. During the breeding season, the top of the moth become green for the numerous numbers of parrots. Both the towers of the moth are ornamented nicely with different types of leafs motif and blind alcoves.
Architectural Features:
Two temples stand side by side on a single masonry platform surrounded by a moat on three sides and an access path on the eastern side.The western temple, loftier than the eastern one, is about 15m high over the square sanctum, and measures 5.35m x 5.35m and has a 1.90m wide veranda. A low hemispherical dome covers the square sanctuary, over which rises an octagonal sikhara(শিখর) crowned by the usual pinnacle with kalasa (কলস) finials. This terminates in a trident fixed with an iron rod. The outer surface of the sikhara is decorated with a semi-circular arched pattern in plaster, which is repeated on all sides. The entire sikhara is dotted with three pigeonholes under each arch pattern. The main sanctuary has two archways, one each on the south and west sides, flanked by arched panels on both sides,and a pattern of three arches on the other two sides. The western entrance consists of a two-centered arch. The top of the archway is decorated with a frieze of blind merlons. In front of the sanctum, the veranda is covered with a flat roof supported on columns, It has three arched openings on the south, one each on its east and west side.
It is one of the important historical & archaeological places in Munshiganj District. Very recently,renovation work is on go,undoubtedly a good initiative to protect this site from further destruction.
)
[1] => Array
(
[name] => Gurudwara Nanak Shahi
[post_id] => 10226
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/gurudwara-nanak-shahi/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Guru-Duara-11-300x169.jpg
[post_content] =>
Gurudwara Nanak Shahi (গুরুদুয়ারা নানকশাহী) is a Sikh Gurudwara in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. It is considered to be the only official Sheikh Prayer Hall in Bangladesh. It is located at the campus of the University of Dhaka and considered to be the biggest of 9 to 10 Gurdwaras in the country.
According to the commemorating, the visit of Guru Nanak (1506-1507), founder of Sikh religion, it is the most important historic place. It is said to have been built in 1830. The present building of the Gurudwara Nanak Shahi was renovated in 1988-1989. The parkarma verandah had been constructed on all four sides of the original building to provide protection. You can go there in every Friday afternoon to pay a visit and see their rituals.
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => Varatkhali Kastho Mandir
[post_id] => 5112
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/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 Moth
[post_id] => 9300
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/fegnasar-moth/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/fegnasar-moth-2-300x169.jpg
[post_content] =>
On Dhaka-Betka (Sirajdikhan) highway after passing Sirajdikhan and crossing the river Isamoti, a Hindu Moth is seen on the left side. This moth is called the Fegnasar Moth which is actually a Shiva Temple.
It is 150 feet in height, making it visible from the highway. There is a Shiva Linga inside the moth. Devotees pray here almost regularly. Like other Hindu Moths it has magnificent wall structure. The total place and surrounding is decorated with flower garden specially Joba(Chinese Rose). According to ritual, tulsi plant and jasmine tree is also cultivated.
Specialty of this place is, the Moth was established about 200 years ago. Obviously at that time the road structure was not likewise today. The moth is situated inside a large crop field. It is actually like an island surrounded by rice field. So that if you want to come here, you have to walf from the highway through an off-road trail inside the crop field. In rainy season, the way becomes very muddy and slippery. But you will still enjoy a lot!
Please do not refer this place to people as "Fegnasar Shiva Mandir" because there is another Shiva temple in this locality in this name. Just ask for the "Moth".
)
)
