Bangladesh has numerous historical temples reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage. Among the most prominent is the Kantajew Temple in Dinajpur, renowned for its magnificent terracotta architecture. Kantajew Temple is also known as Kantaji Temple or Kantanagar Temple. Constructed in the 18th century, this Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna is one of the country’s finest examples of art. Location of Kantajew Temple This temple is situated at Kantanagar village in Kaharole upazila of Dinajpur district, approximately 20 kilometres from the main town in northern Bangladesh. The name derives from "Kantaji," a form of the Hindu god Kanta or Krishna. This 18th-century temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his wife, Rukmini. Maharaja Prannath began the temple's construction in 1704, and it was completed by his son, Maharaja Ramnath, in 1752. Kantajew Temple is especially revered by Krishna devotees in Bengal. Read more: Top 10 Historic Places, Landmarks in Dhaka How to Visit Kantaji Temple from Dhaka From Dhaka to Dinajpur  By Air  Flying is the quickest way to reach Dinajpur. Daily flights operate between Dhaka and Sayedpur, the nearest airport, about 60 kilometres from Dinajpur. You can hire a car from Sayedpur or take a local bus to Dinajpur town, which takes approximately an hour. Airfare typically ranges between 2,800 and 9,500 BDT, depending on the airline and booking time. By Train  If you prefer a more scenic and affordable option, taking a train from Dhaka to Dinajpur is a great choice. Trains are available and the journey times range from 7 to 9 hours. Tickets are available from 575 BDT for a non-AC seat and can go up to 1,978 BDT for AC berths.  By Bus  For budget travellers, buses are the most economical option. Direct buses leave from Dhaka’s bus terminals heading to Dinajpur, with the journey taking around 10 hours. The ticket price ranges between 800 and 1,500 BDT, depending on the bus type.  Read more: Buddha Dhatu Jadi: The sacred tourist spot and its trouble From Dinajpur to Kantajew Temple After reaching Dinajpur town, travelling to Kantajew Temple is straightforward. You can hire a local CNG (auto-rickshaw), a private car, or even a rickshaw to cover the 20-kilometer journey. It will typically take about 30 to 40 minutes. The roads are fairly well-maintained, and the ride gives you a chance to enjoy views of rural Bangladeshi life. Construction and Architecture Kantajew Temple is an iconic example of terracotta architecture in Bangladesh. Originally constructed in the navaratna (nine-spired) style, the spires were destroyed by an earthquake in 1897, leaving the base of the temple intact. The temple’s design features four-centred, wide multi-cusped arches, semi-octagonal mihirabs, and intricate rectangular and square panelling. Its plastered walls are adorned with ornamental turrets and the domes, once bulbous and majestic, sat on octagonal drums with lotus and kalasa finials. The temple's exterior is covered with terracotta panels, depicting mythological and everyday scenes, skillfully crafted by local artisans from Krisnanagar. Read more: Day Trips from Dhaka: 5 Affordable Tourist Spots near Dhaka Notable murals show Krishna plucking coconuts, Radha-Krishna dancing on an elephant, and charming Bengali wedding scenes. These portrayals blend deities with familiar social scenes, offering a glimpse of 18th-century rural Bengal. The Persian-inspired muqarnas work in stucco inside the half-domes over the entrance arches and mihirab niches further highlights the temple’s blend of cultural and architectural elements. 

Thousands of villagers on Tuesday clashed with law enforcers as the public demanded the arrests of the accused involved in the brutal deaths of two construction workers in a mob beating following a fire at a temple in Madhukhali upazila of Faridpur last Thursday (April 18, 2024) night. Some members of the law enforcing agencies and villagers were injured in the clash that lasted for around three hours on Dhaka-Khulna highway but the exact number of the injured could not be ascertained. One of the injured was sent to Bangabandhu Sheik Mujib Medical College Hospital in the district due to critical condition, confirmed Madhukhali police station’s Officer-in-Charge Miraj Hossain. Witnesses said thousands of villagers formed a human demanding arrest of the accused on Dhaka-Khulna highway in Madhukhali Sadar in the morning and later brought out a protest procession which started heading towards Dumain Panchapalli where the lynching occurred last Thursday. Read more: HC directs judicial inquiry to identify those responsible for topsoil depletion in Satkania Being barred from the law enforcers, the villagers became angry over the matter and started hurling brickbats targeting the enforcers, resulting in a chase and counter-chase for the three hours. Due to the clash, hundreds of vehicles got stuck on both sides of the road, causing immense suffering amid the scorching heat. Deputy Commissioner Md Qamrul Ahsan Talukder said he tried to assuage the agitated villagers but they didn’t pay heed to it. “On behalf of the administration, we will consider the demand for which you are agitating with utmost importance. But the protesters did not respond to the administration's call and continued their programme,” he said. Additional superintendent of police Md Imdad Hossain said following the Panchapalli incident, protesters tried to block the road from Madhukhali Sadar to Kamarkhali, while police tried to disperse them by firing tear gas and blank bullets at some places. “We completely cleared the road by 3 pm. Vehicular movement is now normal,” the police officer said. Read more: Money Embezzlement Case: HC issues rule on bail of Major Mannan and 6 others

About 80 chartered flights have landed at the new international airport of India's holy city of Ayodhya for Monday’s partial opening of the controversial grand temple for one of Hinduism’s most revered deities, Lord Ram. Ayodhya’s airport can barely accommodate the influx of private jets. “The planes will depart after dropping guests,” airport manager Saurabh Singh said. The temple was built over an ancient razed mosque, and most political opposition leaders are boycotting the temple's opening, saying it doesn't befit a secular India. However, the list of attendees boasts some of India's most influential people: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani and Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan. Ahead of the upcoming general election, Modi’s Hindu nationalist party is using the elaborate consecration ceremony to lobby the country's Hindu majority. Read more: Ancient Temples of Bangladesh: Remembering Their Past Glory THE LEGEND OF RAM, THE PRINCE OF AYODHYA The temple will be the sacred abode of one of the Hindu pantheon's most popular gods Ram, who Hindus believe was born at the exact site in Ayodhya. Millions of Hindus worship Lord Ram with an intense belief that chanting his name in times of adversity will bring peace and prosperity, and most of those who practice Hinduism keep idols of Ram in their homes. Major Hindu festivals like Dussehra and Diwali are associated with mythological tales of Ram extolling the virtues of truth, sacrifice and ethical governance. The mythological Hindu epic “Ramayan," which tells the story of Ram’s journey from prince to king, has often been adapted in popular culture. One of the most-viewed fabled shows is the TV series “Ramayan” created in the 1980s which continues to have a faithful audience. Ram’s divinity is not only the dominant religious force in India but also part of the ancient cultural heritage in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia. Read more: A Hindu temple built atop a razed mosque in India is helping Modi boost his political standing A TEMPLE RISES Spread over nearly 3 hectares, the temple — which is still being built— has an estimated cost of $217 million. It's made with pink sandstone, adorned with intricate carvings, and has 46 doors — 42 of which will have a layer of gold. Anil Mishra, a member of the trust overseeing the construction, said the temple blends traditional design with cutting-edge technology and is “crafted without the use of iron, steel, or cement." A 1.3-meter (4.25-foot) dark stone sculpture depicting Ram was installed in the temple’s inner sanctum for Monday’s consecration. The religious ritual of “Pran Pratishtha," which signifies giving life to the idol, will be conducted according to Hindu Vedic scriptures. The deity can then receive and bless devotees. After the ceremony, the temple will open to the public and an estimated 100,000 devotees are likely to visit daily, authorities say. AYODHYA, PAST AND PRESENT The city known for its narrow lanes crowded with Hindu pilgrims and shops selling miniature Ram idols, has been given a facelift with modern infrastructure and services. Ayodhya’s modest airstrip has grown into an expansive international airport with a 2.2-kilometer (about 1.4-mile) runway in the first phase. The clean railway station has a daily passenger capacity of about 50,000 people. “The historical and spiritual significance of Ayodhya makes it a compelling destination,” and a huge surge in demand is anticipated, said Ravi Singh, a representative of the Indian Hotels Company Limited. THE CONTROVERSY Ayodhya has been at the center of India’s turbulent politics and the Hindu majoritarian quest to redeem the country’s religious past for decades. Its diverse, multicultural past was overrun by strident Hindu nationalism after mobs demolished the 16th-century Babri mosque in 1992. Hindus won a prolonged legal battle in 2019, allowing them to build the temple. Hindus make up about 80% of India’s population but the country is also home to some 200 million Muslims who have frequently come under attack by Hindu nationalists. Modi has been the face of an unprecedented, and unapologetic, fusion of religion and politics in India and led the temple’s groundbreaking ceremony in 2020. Critics say the idea of a diverse, constitutionally secular state leading a Hindu religious ritual is deplorable. Most opposition leaders have declined the invitation, saying the event is being used for political campaigning by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which promised to build a Ram temple as part of its election strategy. Modi has asked people to publicly celebrate the consecration by lighting lamps at homes and temples. The message is clear: Mobilization of Hindu voters will be a key issue in the upcoming national election as Modi looks to extend his rule for a record third-consecutive term. Read more: India's Modi is set to open a controversial temple in Ayodhya in a grand event months before polls

Authorities in Thakugaon’s Sadar upazila imposed restrictions on public gatherings in the Rashik Lal Jeu Temple area on Thursday to avert any untoward incident ahead of Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shamsuzzaman invoked Section 144, that restricts freedom of assembly, apprehending a clash between two rival groups of devotees: one the followers of Sanatan Dharma (traditional religion, more commonly known as Hinduism) as practised here over thousands of years and another loyal to the International Society for Krishno Consciousness (Iskcon), a fairly recent, 20th century movement within Hinduism. The restrictions applied under Section 144 of the CrPc have been in force in the area from Thursday afternoon and will continue for an indefinite period, the UNO added. According to locals, the two groups have been at loggerheads for a long time over possession of the Rashik Lal Jeu temple land. Read: Section 144 imposed in Pabna ahead of AL-BNP rally In September 2009, a group of Iskcon men stormed the house of Prafulla Chandra, president of Rashik Roy Jeu temple. A person died in the attack, while several were injured.  Thereafter, the upazila administration sealed the temple and took over the responsibility of managing the temple. In the past, the administration has resorted to invoking Section 144 in the temple area several times to avert untoward incidents in various Pujas.