Lesson 1/44 min
Ancient temples
Dhakeshwari Temple
- Location: Dhaka; it is the national temple of Bangladesh
- By tradition it was built by King Ballal Sen
- Its main gate is called Nahabatkhana Toran
- It is supposed that the name Dhaka comes from Dhakeshwari
Watch out: Ballal Sen as the builder and the origin of the name Dhaka are both tradition or supposition, not documented. If an exam says “according to tradition”, the answer is Ballal Sen.
Adinath Temple
- Location: Maheshkhali upazila, Cox's Bazar district
- Both books say it stands 85.3 metres above sea level
Kantajir (Kantajew) Temple
- Location: Dinajpur
- Built in the 18th century; begun by Maharaja Pran Nath and finished by his son Ramnath
- The relief sculpture on its walls is made of terracotta plaques
More important temples: Dhaka
- Radhakrishna Temple and Swamibagh Temple
- Bardeshwari Kali Temple: Rajarbagh
- Joykali Temple: Thatari Bazar
- Gurdwara Sikh temple: Dhaka University area
More important temples: other districts
- Rajshahi: Raja Kangsa Narayan Temple, Bara Shiva Temple at Puthia, and Puthia Temple
- Mymensingh: Bishwanath Temple and Bara Kalibari Temple
- Munshiganj: Sonarang Jora Math at Tongibari
- Kishoreganj: Chandrabati Temple at Tarail
- Naogaon: Raghunath Temple; Dinajpur: Ramsagar Temple
- Pabna: Jagannath Temple; Sirajganj: Bangla Temple at Ullapara
- Joypurhat: Bar Shibalaya at Bel Amla; Cox's Bazar: Ram Temple
Check yourself
What is the main gate of Dhakeshwari Temple called?
At a glance
- 1
Dhakeshwari Temple is the national temple of Bangladesh; by tradition built by King Ballal Sen; its gate is Nahabatkhana Toran.
- 2
Adinath Temple is at Maheshkhali, Cox's Bazar; the books give 85.3 metres above sea level.
- 3
Kantajir Temple is in Dinajpur, built in the 18th century; its wall sculpture is in terracotta plaques.
- 4
Puthia Temple is in Rajshahi; the Gurdwara Sikh temple is in the Dhaka University area.
- 5
Sonarang Jora Math is at Tongibari, Munshiganj; Chandrabati Temple is at Tarail, Kishoreganj.