Budhhata 12 Shiva Temple

Various types of temples are found in the land of the Bengal (present Bangladesh and West Bengal of India). The types include Bangla, chala, ratna, shikhara, math, ras-mancha, dol-macha, composite and grouped.

Among them, a grouped temple constitutes a very important part of Bengal temple architecture. Usually, a grouped temple is a cluster of temples of identical style and size. These temples are grouped together and arranged in a recognised geometrical pattern. Grouped temples are built by successive generations. The most common form is a ‘12-Shiva’ temple, which arranged in two separate blocks of six temples and placed along a straight line.

Budhhata 12-Shiva temple complex is situated at Budhhata village in Assasuni upazila of Satkhira district. Zamindar Babu Rajbangshi Mitra built the temple complex in 1146 BS (1739 AD). It is an aat-chala (eight-roofed) type temple which is very uncommon in Bangladesh.

The temple is a 278-year-old unique type of architectural heritage. Once upon a time, this unparalleled 12-Shiva temple complex used to represent the aristocracy of the famous zamindar, and it still upholds its faded glory. Out of the 12 Shiva temples, six were destroyed completely over the course of time. Later, the remaining six temples were restored.

Located about 20 km from Satkhira town, the temple complex is a protected site of the Department of Archaeology. It is one of the least visited sites in Bangladesh, though the temples offer attractive features for heritage lovers. The passion for ‘step to nowhere’ takes me to places where nobody usually travels. I always prefer to visit less-visited sites, so other travellers will feel interested to visit them, too. n

References: Historical Monuments of Satkhira by Mizanur Rahman (Asiatic Society, 2008); History of Jessore and Khulna by Satish Chandra Mitra (1329 BS); and Bangladesher Mandir by Ratan Lal Chakrabarti (Bangla Academy, 1985).

Photos: Writer

Budhhata 12 Shiva Temple

Various types of temples are found in the land of the Bengal (present Bangladesh and West Bengal of India). The types include Bangla, chala, ratna, shikhara, math, ras-mancha, dol-macha, composite and grouped. Among them, a grouped temple constitutes a very important part of Bengal temple architecture. Usually, a grouped temple is a cluster of temples of identical style and size. These temples are grouped together and arranged in a recognised geometrical pattern. Grouped temples are built by successive generations. The most common form is a 12-Shiva temple, which arranged in two separate blocks of six temples and placed along a straight line. Budhhata 12-Shiva temple complex is situated at Budhhata village in Assasuni upazila of Satkhira district. Zamindar Babu Rajbangshi Mitra built the temple complex in 1146 BS (1739 AD). It is an aat-chala (eight-roofed) type temple which is very uncommon in Bangladesh. The temple is a 278-year-old unique type of architectural heritage. Once upon a time, this unparalleled 12-Shiva temple complex used to represent the aristocracy of the famous zamindar, and it still upholds its faded glory. Out of the 12 Shiva temples, six were destroyed completely over the course of time. Later, the remaining six temples were restored. Located about 20 km from Satkhira town, the temple complex is a protected site of the Department of Archaeology. It is one of the least visited sites in Bangladesh, though the temples offer attractive features for heritage lovers. The passion for step to nowhere takes me to places where nobody usually travels. I always prefer to visit less-visited sites, so other travellers will feel interested to visit them, too. n References: Historical Monuments of Satkhira by Mizanur Rahman (Asiatic Society, 2008); History of Jessore and Khulna by Satish Chandra Mitra (1329 BS); and Bangladesher Mandir by Ratan Lal Chakrabarti (Bangla Academy, 1985). Photos: Writer