A glimpse of late-medieval Hindu Kantaji Temple in Bangladesh

[Homo Sapiens]

A glimpse of late-medieval Hindu Kantaji Temple in Bangladesh
By XinhuaPublished: May 27, 2022 02:07 PM

A glimpse of late-medieval Hindu Kantaji Temple in Bangladesh - Global Times

www.globaltimes.cn

Photo taken on May 18, 2022 shows the Hindu Kantaji Temple in Dinajpur, Bangladesh.(Photo: Xinhua)

Photo taken on May 18, 2022 shows the Hindu Kantaji Temple in Dinajpur, Bangladesh.(Photo: Xinhua)

Photo taken on May 18, 2022 shows the Hindu Kantaji Temple in Dinajpur, Bangladesh.(Photo: Xinhua)

Photo taken on May 18, 2022 shows the Hindu Kantaji Temple in Dinajpur, Bangladesh.(Photo: Xinhua)

Kantanagar Temple, commonly known as Kantaji Temple, which is a late-medieval Hindu temple, is an example of beautiful terracotta architecture in Bangladesh.

The eye-catching temple is located in the northern Dinajpur district, some 338 km northwest of the national capital Dhaka. It once had nine spires, but all were destroyed in an earthquake in 1897.

 

[BananaRepublicUK]

A glimpse of late-medieval Hindu Kantaji Temple in Bangladesh
By XinhuaPublished: May 27, 2022 02:07 PM

A glimpse of late-medieval Hindu Kantaji Temple in Bangladesh - Global Times

www.globaltimes.cn

Photo taken on May 18, 2022 shows the Hindu Kantaji Temple in Dinajpur, Bangladesh.(Photo: Xinhua)

Photo taken on May 18, 2022 shows the Hindu Kantaji Temple in Dinajpur, Bangladesh.(Photo: Xinhua)

Photo taken on May 18, 2022 shows the Hindu Kantaji Temple in Dinajpur, Bangladesh.(Photo: Xinhua)

Photo taken on May 18, 2022 shows the Hindu Kantaji Temple in Dinajpur, Bangladesh.(Photo: Xinhua)

Kantanagar Temple, commonly known as Kantaji Temple, which is a late-medieval Hindu temple, is an example of beautiful terracotta architecture in Bangladesh.

The eye-catching temple is located in the northern Dinajpur district, some 338 km northwest of the national capital Dhaka. It once had nine spires, but all were destroyed in an earthquake in 1897.

Beautiful intricate work.

Good to see we are protecting our heritage!

@Joe Shearer dada! Why don’t you come and visit?!!!!

 

[Joe Shearer]

Beautiful intricate work.

Good to see we are protecting our heritage!

@Joe Shearer dada! Why don’t you come and visit?!!!!

What exquisite work! I never knew this beautiful temple existed. As soon as I can, I shall visit.
Thank you for showing it to me.

 

[bluesky]

What exquisite work! I never knew this beautiful temple existed. As soon as I can, I shall visit.
Thank you for showing it to me.

Many years ago when my father was posted in Parbatipur station in Dinajpur district, I had the opportunity to visit this temple. There was also a palace called "Ganesh Prashad" I forgot its exact location.

 

[Paitoo]

Unbelievably exquisite carvings. Any idea what sort of stone this is? It has a reddish hue, same as the one in the Vihara in your DP. Was this commonly used in Bangladesh?

 

[bluesky]

Unbelievably exquisite carvings. Any idea what sort of stone this is? It has a reddish hue, same as the one in the Vihara in your DP. Was this commonly used in Bangladesh?

I have little knowledge on old architecture. But, wiki speaks of terracotta. I believe the structure is brick-built and the ornamental outer surface is decorated with terracotta works. Note the round-shaped arches. It is certainly made of bricks if not with cut stones.

Picture of the original Temple with nine spires at the top. The picture shows only seven spires. The other two is on the opposite side that cannot be seen. So, there were nine spires in total. Its construction was completed in 1722.

This is the present picture of the Temple. Unfortunately, all the nine spires were destroyed by an earthquake in 1897. In my personal opinion, the spires should be re-constructed by the Archeological Department.

Radha-Krishna statue inside the Temple