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[name] => {:en}Natore Rajbari{:}{:bn}নাটোর রাজবাড়ি{:}
[post_id] => 3706
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/natore-rajbari/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/IMG_20150723_053634-300x225.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
Natore Rajbari (also known as Pagla Raja's Palace, Natore Palace) was a prominent royal palace in Natore, Bangladesh. It was the residence and seat of the Rajshahi Raj family of Zamindars. Famous queen Rani Bhabani lived here and after the death of her husband, expanded both the estate and the palace.
Natore Zamindars was one of the largest Zamindaris of Bengal. The originators of this Zamindari were Ramjivan and Raghunandan both sons of Kamdev. Ramjivan's daughter-in-law was Rani Bhabani (1716-1795), a legendary name in Bengal politics in the 18th century and an endearing personality in every home of the country due to her boundless generosity and public spirit. After becoming Zamindar Ramjivan built his Rajbari at Natore occupying a huge area of 50.42 acres of land and it is enclosed within two rings of defensive moats-one within the other. The moats are now dotted with large tanks, orchards and flower gardens surrounding the derelict ruins of the seven surviving detached palaces. Of these only four deserve description while the rest are in advanced stage of disintegration and are of no architectural significance.
After the death of the great queen, her adopted son Ramkrishna ruled the area. After his death, his two sons Sibnath and Vishwanath became the co-sharers of the Natore Zamindari in 1778. The whole Zamindari was divided between them, and the part of the eldest son was known as "Boro Taraf" and the part of the youngest son was known as "Chhoto Taraf". The Rajbari was protected on all sides by ditches. There were nine buildings in this Rajbari. They are the palace of Boro Taraf, The palace of Choto Taraf, Kachari Bhavan and Guard House of Boro taraf, Kachari Bhavan of Choto Taraf, Rani Bhavan, Guest House, Madhu Rani Bhavan etc.
The main palace block (Boro Torof), now housing the newly created deputy commissioner's office, faces a large open lawn to the south. Two other single-storied blocks, placed on the west and the south, look over the lawn and are laid out in the form of an English "U" with the open side on the east. The main northern block, facing south, has a frontage of about 100'-0" with a prominently projecting porch in the middle and two slightly projecting bays at either end, all carrying triangular pediments above. The elegant central porch is supported on a series of Corinthian columns and semi-circular arches in the typical classical Roman style and the veranda in front of the apartments are also similarly relieved. The whole facade is tastefully decorated with geometric and floral panels in plasterwork. This block contains twelve spacious apartments, disposed on either side of the large reception hall (7.47m × 16.01m) which is located in the middle. The access to the reception hall (60'-0"x 30'-0") is gained through another large hall and is backed by a 10'-0" wide veranda on the north.
The lofty ceiling of the central hall, rises to a height of 30'-0" and is lit by eighteen clerestory windows, originally fitted with colored glass panes, whilst the roof of the other rooms are considerably lower in height. The entire floor of this block is laid in black and white imported marble. The back veranda is supported on twenty pairs of Corinthian columns, the capitals of which contain within its acanthus leaves, some classical nude female figures. The western block, placed at right angles to the main block, has about a 200'-0" frontage and faces the lawn on the east. It is also a single-storied building with an arched projecting bay in the middle. A strip of veranda, supported on a series of paired Doric columns, runs the entire length of the block. Entering through the arched central bay there is access into an open of longed court, occupied by typical 'nat-mandap'. Beyond and further to the west, is a Krishna temple. This family shrine has a 50’-0” wide frontage, backed by a 10’-0” wide veranda which carried on a series of double Corinthian columns.
This ‘nat-mandap’ has a humped tin roof supported on a series of iron pillars. Placed at right angles to this block is another north facing single-storied building, which is about 150’-0” long and has central projecting porch. The porch entrance leads on to a long veranda running the entire length of the building behind which there are a series of apartments of varying sizes, somewhat similarly disposed as the former. A long veranda to the rear of this building overlooks a large tank. A series of Corinthian columns, which support veranda, projects as a semi-circle in the middle. The rear of this handsome block is tastefully decorated in plasterwork. The building at present is occupied by the office of the superintendent of police.
To the south-west rears of the second block a couple of very ruined single-storied residential buildings overlook a large tank from its northern bank. The smaller of these two structures presenting a 50’-0” frontage with a veranda, is relieved with a series of paired Doric columns while the larger adjacent block has a 100’-0” frontage with a veranda carried on a row of double Corinthian columns. Sadly both these ruins are now thickly covered with encroaching thickets and accumulating debris. However, the main palace block of the ‘Chhota-Taraf’, perched picturesquely on the western bank of this large tank and now occupied by the District Judge’s Court, is an imposing structure. The 70’-0” long façade has a prominently projecting central triple-arched portico.
The central part of the building, occupied by the reception hall projects above the flanking wings and is crowned by a pyramidal roof with clerestory windows. The parapet of the porch is decorated in plasterwork with two short projecting bays at either end of the building, each decorated with two pairs of Corinthian columns, which are topped by triangular pediments. Entering this palace block though the porch one encounters a long 10’-0” wide veranda with a black and white marble floor. Behind the veranda there is a row of apartments which lead on to the vast reception hall, measuring 7.32 meter x 15.55meter.
The lofty ceiling of reception hall is another hall measuring 50’-0”x20’-0” with a projecting balcony at the far end which overlooks the encircling moat. Although there are fifteen apartments including the central hall. The rear of the building also is tastefully relieved with Ionic capitals, floral motifs and bearded human heads in stucco. The two large halls of the palace, probably flagged in marble, are now devoid of their original floor, but the other apartments have white and black marble floors. Curiously the capitals most of the columns are of composite character with acanthus leaves intertwining Ionic roundels.
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নাটোর রাজবাড়ি পাগলা রাজার প্রাসাদ বলেও বহুল পরিচিত যেটি রাজ জমিদার পরিবারের বাসস্থান হিসেবে ব্যাবহার করা হত। রানী ভবানী এখানে বাস করতেন এবং মৃত্যুর পর তাঁর স্বামী এখানকার চা বাগান ও প্রাসাদের উন্নয়ন করেন। সাতটি আলাদা প্রাসাদের পরিত্যাক্ত ধ্বংসাবশেষ ঘিরে থাকা পরিখাগুলোতে এখন দেখা যায় ট্যাংক, অর্কিড এবং ফুলের বাগান। এই প্রাসাদগুলোর মধ্যে মাত্র চারটি এখন টিকে আছে কিন্তু বাকিগুলো ধ্বংসের দ্বারপ্রান্তে। রানীর মৃত্যুর পর তাঁর দত্তক পুত্র রামকৃষ্ণ এই এলাকা শাসন করেন। রামকৃষ্ণের মৃত্যুর পর তাঁর দুই পুত্র শিবনাথ এবং বিশ্বনাথ নাটোর জমিদারবাড়ির যৌথ মালিক হন ১৭৭৮ সালে। পুরো জমিদার বাড়ি তাদের তাঁদের মধ্যে ভাগ করে দেওয়া হয়। এরপর রাজবাড়িতে বড় পুত্রের অংশকে বলা হত “বড় তরফ” এবং ছোট পুত্রের অংশকে বলা হত “ছোট তরফ”।
রানী ভবানীর বড় পুত্র বড় তরফ নামে এবং ছোট পুত্র ছোট তরফ নামে পরিচিত ছিলেন। রানীর মৃত্যুর পর তাঁর দুই পুত্রের মধ্যে জমিদারী ভাগ হয়ে যায়। এখানে অনেক স্মৃতি স্তম্ভ আছে।
বাংলার অন্যতম বৃহত্তম জমিদারী ছিল নাটোরের জমিদারী। এই জমিদারীর সূচনা করেছিলেন কামদেবের দুই পুত্র রামজীবন এবং রঘুনন্দন। রামজীবনের পুত্রবধু ছিলেন রানী ভবানী। ১৮শ শতকে বাংলার রাজনীতিতে রানী ভবানী ছিলেন এক কিংবদন্তি। তাঁর জনপ্রিয়তা ও উদারতার কারনে দেশের প্রতিটি ঘরে তিনি আকর্ষণীয় ব্যাক্তিত্তে পরিণত হয়েছিলেন। জমিদার হবার পর রামজীবন ৫০.৪২ একর জায়গার ওপর দুই স্তরের পরিখার মধ্যে এই রাজবাড়িটি নির্মাণ করেন।
রাজবাড়িটির চতুর্দিক পরিখার মাধ্যমে সুরক্ষিত ছিল। রাজবাড়িতে নয়টি ভবন ছিল যেমনঃ বড় তরফের প্রাসাদ, ছোট তরফের প্রাসাদ, বড় তরফের কাচারি ভবন ও প্রহরী কক্ষ, ছোট তরফের কাচারি ভবন, রানী ভবন, অতিথিশালা, মধু রানী ভবন ইত্যাদি। ছোট তরফের প্রাসাদটি ১৯৮৪ সালে নাটোরের জজ কোর্ট হিসেবে ব্যাবহার করা হয়েছে। এখানে বেশ কিছু পুকুর আছে যার মধ্যে একটি ছিল ছোট তরফের এবং আরেকটি বড় তরফের।এখানে রানীমহল নামে একটি পরিত্যাক্ত প্রাসাদ আছে যেখানে রানী বাস করতেন।
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[name] => {:en}Kobi Chondraboti Shib Mandir{:}{:bn}কবি চন্দ্রাবতী শিব মন্দির{:}
[post_id] => 5071
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/kobi-chondraboti-shib-mandir/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Kobi-Chondraboti-Shib-Mondir-225x300.jpg
[post_content] => {:en}
Poet Chandrabati (চন্দ্রাবতী) is considered to be the first Female poet in Bengali literature. She was born in 1550. Her father's name was Bangshidas Bhattacharya (বংশীদাস ভট্টাচার্য) who is considered as one of the composers of Monosha mongol (মনসা মঙ্গল). She along with her father composed the Monosha Debir Bhashan (মনসা দেবীর ভাসান) during 1575. Poet Chondraboti (কবি চন্দ্রাবতী) started narrating the Ramayana (রামায়ন) from the Sita's (সীতা) point of view by criticizing Rama (রাম). But unfortunately, she couldn't finish her work.
There are two Shib Mandir (শিব মন্দির) available near the village Chandrabati (চন্দ্রাবতী) that is around 6 kilometer apart from the Kishoreganj (কিশোরগঞ্জ) town. One of those are shorter in size. These temples are related with many stories of Chandrabati (চন্দ্রাবতী) and her life. It is believed that the temples were built during the 16th century, contemporary to the poet's birth.
It was around 3:00 at the afternoon when I have reached there. So I was the only traveler or tourist there that time. There are few sitting places available near the temple. Authority built those for the visitors. Probably during the holidays or at afternoon lot of visitors use to gather here.
{:}{:bn}
কবি চন্দ্রাবতীকে বাংলা সাহিত্যর প্রথম মুসলিম কবি হিসেবে বিবেচনা করা হয়ে থাকে। তিনি জন্মেছিলেন ১৫৫০ সালে। কবি চন্দ্রাবতীর বাবার নাম বংশীদাস ভট্টাচার্য যাকে মনে করা হয়ে থাকে মনসা মঙ্গলের অন্যতম রচয়িতা। ১৫৭৫ সালে কবি চন্দ্রাবতী তাঁর বাবাকে সাথে নিয়ে মনসা দেবীর ভাসান রচনা করেন। কবি চন্দ্রাবতী রামের সমালোচনার মাধ্যমে সীতার দৃষ্টিকোন থেকে রামায়ন বর্ণনা করা শুরু করেছিলেন কিন্তু দুর্ভাগ্যবশত তিনি এই কাজটি শেষ করতে পারেননি।
কিশোরগঞ্জ শহর থেকে ৬ কিলোমিটার দূরে চন্দ্রাবতী গ্রামে দুটি শিবমন্দির রয়েছে। এই দুটি মন্দিরের মধ্যে একটি অপেক্ষাকৃত ছোট। কবি চন্দ্রাবতী এবং তাঁর জীবনের অনেক ঘটনার সাথে এই মন্দিরগুলোর সম্পৃক্ততা রয়েছে। ধারনা করা হয়ে থাকে যে এই মন্দিরগুলো ১৬শ শতকে নির্মাণ করা হয়েছিল যেসময়টিতে কবি জন্ম নিয়েছিলেন। মন্দিরগুলোর কাছে দর্শনার্থীদের জন্য বসার ব্যবস্থা রয়েছে। বিকালবেলা অথবা ছুটির দিনে এখানে অনেক মানুষের সমাগম হয়ে থাকে।
ছবির জন্য ক্লিক করুন: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/92398981
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/92398990
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/92399001
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[2] => Array
(
[name] => Navratna Mandir
[post_id] => 3072
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/navratna-mandir/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Navaratna-temple-Ripon-Dhar....1-300x225.jpg
[post_content] =>
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 style that had five pavilions (four at the corners and one above).
Many other temples are located close to it. During the reign of Nawab Murshid Khan(1704-1720) estimated a guy named Nayeb Dewan Ramnath Vaduri built it. The main temple is three storied. It is said that during construction of the temple each brick was fried with ghee. This temple was taken by Archaeology department of Government for reformation.
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[name] => Ramakrishna Mission and Moth
[post_id] => 10095
[post_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/places/ramkrishno-mission-and-moth/
[thumb_link] => http://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/RK-Mission-11-300x169.jpg
[post_content] =>
Ramakrishna Mission and moth is a historically significant architectural monument situated at Gopibag in Motijheel, Dhaka. The temple Ramakrishna Mission is an architecture which was founded by Swami Vivekananda in 13 February 1916 and the Ramakrishna Moth was founded by Swami Brakkhanananda.In 1916 Swami Brahmananda and Swami Premananda paid their kind visit to Dhaka. On the 13 Feb. 1916, after the proper rituals Puja and Homa, Swami Brahamananda and Swami Permananda laid foundation of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission respectively.
On the same day as above Swami Premananda Laid the foundation stone of an indoor hospital with twenty beds as its service activities. In this year i.e. 1916 the Mission work was transferred to its permanent place from the rented house. After 8 months,first Governor of the East Bengal, Lord Carmichael inaugurated the opening ceremony of this medical service centre. In March of this year Dhaka Ramakrishna Mission received the affiliation of the Headquarters at Belur. The Ramakrishna Mission Authority of Belur appointed the local executive committee to manage the work. After 85 years crossing the temple had reached its dilapidated condition. The main construction work began in 2000.
24 February 2005 is a memorable day for Dhaka centre, as well as for the devotees, admirers and well-wishers, for, the newly built temple at Ramakrishna Moth, Dhaka, after 5 years work, consecrated in a glorious ceremony performed by Srimat Swami Gahananandaji Maharaj, then Senior Vice-President of the Ramakrishna Order in presence of so many senior monks and brahmacharins and a large number of devotees from home and abroad. 24 February 2005 is a memorable day for Dhaka centre, as well as for the devotees, admirers and well-wishers, for, the newly built temple at Ramakrishna Math, Dhaka, after 5 years work, consecrated in a glorious ceremony performed by Srimat Swami Gahananandaji Maharaj, then Senior Vice-President of the Ramakrishna Order in presence of so many senior monks and brahmacharins and a large number of devotees from home and abroad.
Architectural significance: The temple has a capacity of sitting for about 600 persons, while the height of the temple, say, 80 ft from the ground level, with a completely new and pleasing out looking both inside and outside differ from any other temple of Ramakrishna Order. It has 5 entrances. The shrine room with hexagonal view has been made in such a way that devotees can see the shrine from every side of the temple except back. The main dome is surrounding by 6 small domes with the symbols of 6 religions in their pinnacles, presenting the universality of Ramakrishna Order on the basis of Sri Ramakrishna's realization “as many faiths so many paths." The basement with an area of 5500 sft will be utilized for the purpose of a museum, casual exhibition, discourses and seminars on religions and cultures of different faiths and on topics of learning.
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