KANTANAGAR TEMPLE / KANTAJEW TEMPLE

Kantanagar Temple / Kantajew Temple

DINAJPUR

Hindu mandir : Kantajew Temple : ancient structure

Kantanagar Temple or Kantajew Temple

Kantanagar Temple or Kantajew Temple

Kantanagar Temple or Kantajew Temple in Dinajpur district is an unrivaled example of the Temple architecture in the sub-continent. Maharaja Prannath and his adopted Son Ramnath, the famous Zamindars of dinajpur established this Temple during 1704-1752 A.D.

Kantajew Temple : Terracotta

This fifty square feet three- storeyed  brick Temple is built on a high stage. This is a nava-ratna Mandir/Temple. The roof of the ground floor and  1st floor of the Temple each contains four sikharas or ratnas at there corners while the roof of 2nd floor in its center contains the ruins of the central sikhara or ratnas.

Kantajew Temple : Terracotta

Kantajew Temple : Terracotta

The entire outer surface of the temple is exquisitely embellished with terracotta plaques which depict flora and fauna, geometric motifs, mythological scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabhvarata; The contemporary social scenes and favourite pastime. The idol of Kantaji is kept in the garvagriha of the temple in its ground floor.

Kantanagar Temple or Kantajew Temple : Terracotta

Kantanagar Temple or Kantajew Temple : Terracotta

The department of Archaeology has been performing the necessary conservation and reparation work of Kantanagar temple since it was declared a protected monument by the Government in 1960.

Kantanagar Temple or Kantajew Temple : Terracotta

There are two ways to reach the temple from the Dinajpur town. One is take any local bus, or bus of "Panchagarh" district from the "new terminal"(bus stoppage) of Dinajpur town. Just tell the bus driver that you want to go to "Kantajew Mondir", and they will drop you at exact place.

Kantanagar Temple or Kantajew Temple : Terracotta

More precisely, the place name is "kantanagar". Just get down there. From there you can take some other vehicles and reach the temple directly using roads. But this one is not exciting one. So I'll not suggest you to do this one.

Kantanagar Temple or Kantajew Temple

For excitement, better just reach at the Dhepa river ghat from the stoppage of Kantanagar. Enjoy the beauty of the river for few minutes, then cross the river, it will cost only few taka to cross the river by boat.

Kantanagar Temple or Kantajew Temple

After crossing the river, now start walking for ten minutes through the village road, which is lovely for the natural beauties around it. Corn fields, paddy fields, the bamboo forest from the villagers will give you a bewitching beauty and pleasure.

Kantanagar Temple or Kantajew Temple

After the walk, you are at the temple premise. Now start enjoying the temple design. There are two people there, one is "Dinesh" and another one is "Kenu", both of them are capable to tell you the story using the images from the Mondir wall.

Kantanagar Temple or Kantajew Temple : Terracotta

Kantanagar Temple or Kantajew Temple : Terracotta

Here are some pictures of the wall of the temple, you can see here the terracotta design.

Kantanagar Temple or Kantajew Temple : Terracotta

Kantanagar Temple or Kantajew Temple : Terracotta

@