Nateshwar Buddhist Temple
Type: Archaeological Site
Contributed By:
Brief
Nateshwar Buddhist temple is one of the ancient Buddha temple in Bangladesh. Very recent years, Archaeologist discovered it by conducting recurring excavations. Joint team of archaeologists from Bangladesh and China has unearthed this ancient Buddhist temple with unique architectural features at the village Nateshwar in Munshiganj.
It is believed that this discovery will offer interesting glimpses into the early life of Atish Dipankar. A renowned Buddhist saint and scholar in Asia, who was born in this area over a thousand years ago. In the year of 2015, A 50-day excavation has been conducted in Nateshwar, which was started in 2013 by Agrasar Vikrampur Foundation.
Important Findings: Recent excavation has unearthed several valuable features from this renowned archaeological site. A massive octagonal stupa and a pair of stupas with a four-meter wide wall which are the first of their kinds in the history of the country’s archaeological excavations. Discoveries of two roads and a 2.75 meters wide wall to the site’s southeast side speak of a rich urban area of a bygone era.
Besides, other important relics including ash pits and pottery items have also been recovered from the site, they added. Archaeologists from both the countries expressed hope that these finds would reveal many hitherto unrevealed sides of Atish Diponkor life as well as shedding light on the advent and decline of Buddhism in this region.
How to go
On the way to Munshiganj, you have to be careful about the track to get there. After crossing the Muktarpur bridge there are two ways, one is moved towards Munshiganj Sadar Upazila and another is on Tongibari Upazila. You may step-off at Dholagaon Bazar. From Dholagaon Bazar it is Just 15-20 minutes away by rickshaw.
How To Reach: Munshiganj District
There are several transport is available from Dhaka to Munshiganj. The bus services are “Nayan Paribahan”, “Dighir par Paribahan” and “Dhaka Transport”, all of the buses used to start from “Gulistan” of Dhaka. It will cost you 60-80 taka, and will require 1 hrs to 2 hrs bus journey depending upon the road traffic.
Also you can hire CNG auto rickshaw from the “Postogola”, and it will take you 250-350 to take you at Muktarpur bridge. Remember, if you are hiring CNG, make sure who will provide the toll of the bridge. For you information, the toll fee is 20 taka. So negotiate with the driver of CNG about who will provide the toll.
Where to Stay
Though the district is just beside the Dhaka, still its hard to find a suitable hotel from the district. The main reason, may be people from dhaka used to come this place for a single day trip. But anyway, if you need to stay at Munshiganj town, that case I’ll suggest you to stay at “Hotel Comfort” this one is the best from the town. Also you there is another one which is “Hotel three star international”. But the quality of the rooms of this hotel is not that much good. For both cases, it will take 100-700 taka per night depending upon the room.
1. Mawa Resort
Contact: Md. Ali
Phone: 01711676058
2. Padma Resort
Contact: Mohammad Ali
Phone: 01713033049
3. Padma Rest House
Bridge Division, Ministry of Roads and Communications
Executive Engineer
Phone: 01715561933
Things to do
- On the way to Nateshwar you will find a vast land of greeneries
- Observe the life of a farmer, who works hard to plant potatoes in their land
- Experience the life of the typical village people
- Observe the Architectural features and findings in this Historic temple.
Eating Facilities
Referred where to eat at Tongibari Upazila of Munshiganj District.
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.
