M Mahmud Ali

When you lose a loved one, you want to hold on to them even after death. This eternal desire inspired Hindu zamindars and rich families in ancient Bengal to build a number of outstanding memorial temples.

Memorial temples occupy a very significant part of Bengal temple architecture. These kinds of temples were built in memory of renowned or well-off persons after death by their family members. Some memorial temples are exceptional and outstanding in terms of decoration, style and construction, and also for the story behind them. Most of all, if the temple was built in memory of someone’s dearly missed loved one, like a parent or a spouse, it gives one an incredible emotional attachment it. Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful memorial temples in Bangladesh.

The century-old Darka Nath (DN) Saha memorial temple complex is one of them. This temple complex is located at Mukundia village in Panchuria union of Rajbari district. Darka Nath Saha Chowdhury was an influential zamindar of this locality. His son, Sri Sarojendro Nath Saha, built the temple in 1323 BS (Bangla Shon) in memory of his father.

The temple is in the ‘pancha ratna’ (five gems) style. Later, another smaller ‘ek ratna’ or one-gem type temple was built in memory of DN Saha’s wife beside his memorial temple. The couple’s son, Sarojendro, proudly preserved his parents’ eternal love through the marvelous dual temples.  

It is one of the less visited sites of Bangladesh, although the temple complex has attractive features for heritage lovers.

Reference: Bangladesher Mandir by Ratan Lal Chakrabarti (Bangla Academy, 1985); and Archaeological Survey Report of Greater Faridpur District by Md Abul Hashem Miah (DOA, 2000).

Photos: Writer.