Puthia - Temple Kingdom in Rajshahi If temples are the flowers of Bangladesh, than Puthia is truly a garden. The stately structures were commissioned by members of the members of the Puthia Raj Family, the Zamindars of the area. In the 17th century the Mughal Governor bestowed Zamindar rights on a local saint named Bhatsacharya. Built in 1895, two years before in Great India earthquake that destroyed so many earlier buildings in Bangladesh, and led to a positive frenzy of building for replacement, it has survived to crumble gradually, occupied, now, as a teacher training college. A little over 100 years, and it certainly won’t last another century. Hemanta Kumari Devi, who ordered its construction would probably be glad of its present use, but saddened by its state. Puthia is located at 30 kilometers apart from the Rajshahi town. It’s beside the Rajshahi-Dhaka highway. Accessed by a side road off the main street lies the Puthia ‘Complex’, with its splendid late 19th Century Palace, and some of the finest Hindu temples within the country. This place has a Rajbari and lot of different type of temples. The whole premise is surrounded by a lake which is acting as a boundary. The first building to catch the eye as you approach is the white plastered Shiva Temple, Somewhat defaced, it is said, by looting Pakistani troops during the Liberation War of 1971, the essentials, nevertheless remain intact. Moving on, across yet another pond, surrounded by a greensward, when not occupied by fairs or exhibitions, stands the magnificent 13 pillar facade of the palace. Different types of Mondir (Temple) inside the complex: To one side, and a little behind, stands the nearly two hundred year old Govinda Temple. In appearance and structure, not unlike the more famous Kantajew Temple near Dinajpur. But whilst Kantajew, perhaps, may boast even finer terracotta friezes, Govinda Temple has retained the spires that the earthquake brought down at Kantajew. Shib Mondir: Shib mondir is located at the entrance of the Puthia premise. This is having a height of 65 ft. Approximately 200 years back the queen Bhuban Mohini Debi built this temple. Inside the temple a phallus of lord Shiva is available. Beside the temple, another small temple is available. Ahnik Mondir: This is another ornate temple which is located beside the Pukur ghat. It’s a small one but the walls are exquisitely ornate. Bidhobar Mondir: It’s a very small temple near the Ahnik Mondir. It’s beside the road. According to local people, a widow use to pray here. She was widowed at the age of 12. Boro Ahikrok Mondir: This lovely temple is located at the western side of the Puthia premise its having delicate architecture and the walls are highly ornate. Gopal Mondir: This is located at the same premise of the Boro Ahikrok Mondir. It’s a single door small temple and like other temple its wall is having flamboyant ornate. This temple is having a height around 8 meters. Dol Moncho is at the opposite side of the Rajbari, beside a field. It’s a four stored temple. Upper floor is smaller than the lower one. That means the top most flower is the smallest one. Around 100 years back, the queen Hem Kumari Debi was built this temple. This old mansion is right now serving as Loskorpur Degree College. This palace is like any other Jomidar palaces from Bangladesh. Near the mansion a Ghat is available at the lake which is bounded by brick wall. Possibly the females from the Rajbari used to take bath there. The wall of the temple is depicted the Ramayan, Maha Bharat, etc. This is exactly beside the Rajbari. The temple is having similarity with the Kantajew Temple of Dinajpur. Current condition The proud palace in Rajshahi has been losing its appearance as an ornamental terracotta piece. The antiques from various structures are decaying or been stolen in the absence of proper care from the archeological department. Recent research showed that large amounts of terracotta from Chotto Anik Temple, Boro Gobindo Temple and Chotto Gobindo Temple have been destroyed or stolen, and the rest are at high risk of decaying because of high salinity. the countrys rich heritage is endangered due to lack of strong incentives archaeology department and the government.the locals and the experts are very disappointed, they still didnt see any effective steps taken to preserve the palace and its temples. the archaeology department even failed to put a boundary wall in place for the protection of the temples during the last 30 years. Cattle are seen walking around the 400-year-old place. A government declaration of the importance of Puthias heritage to tourism has yet to be made. How to Go: This is very easy to visit the Puthia from Rajshahi town. There is a bus stand near the railway station. You can use the local bus from there for Puthia. It’s around 20 taka per person. You have to get down from the bus at Puthia Bazar. From Puthia Bazar, its 4 taka van fare to reach at the main premise.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 07:27:27 +0000
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