Dhulgram Group Temple Complex

Grouped temples constitute a very important part of Bengal temple architecture. Usually, they are temples of identical style and size that are grouped together and arranged in a recognised geometrical pattern. There are a smaller number and less variety of grouped temples (4-Shiva temples, 11-Shiva temples, 12-Shiva temples) in Bangladesh.

At Abhaynagar upazila in Jessore, there is a small village called Dhulgram. Once, it had a group temple complex of 12 temples. According to historical records, Diwan Hariram Mitra built these temples in 1749 AD on instruction from the Chanchra Raj.  

There is an interesting story connected to the construction of the temple complex. According to the story, Hariram Mitra of Baghutia was the dewan (chief minister) of Chanchra King Nilkantha Roy. The king ordered Mitra to build a royal palace and a number of Shiva temples for his widowed daughter, Abhaya.

On the other hand, Dewan Hariram Mitra did not own any house of his own. For this reason, the king asked his dewan to build a house with temples for himself, too. Dewan Mitra built a new palace and 11-Shiva temple complex for Chanchra Princess Abhaya at Bhatpara village under Baghutia union of Abhaynagar. The dewan also built a new house and 12-Shiva temple complex for himself at Dhulgram village under Siddhipasha union of Abhaynagar, on the bank of the Bhairab River, between 1745 and 1764 AD. Apart from that, King Nilkantha Roy also set up separate temples for different goddesses at different locations of Abhaynagar.

But most of the temples of Dhulgram group temple complex were destroyed by the Bhairab River in course of time. The ruins of a few temples can still be seen on the bank of the river. Besides the ruins, only one Shiva temple is now standing at the Dhulgram temple complex. Once, the temple was adorned with beautiful terracotta plaques. The only surviving temple has lost most of its terracotta decorations due to lack of conservation. The situation got worse when the dome of the temple was overgrown with small trees and plants. The corners of the temples are badly damaged, and the remaining parts have crumbled over time. The Department of Archaeology (DOA) has not yet declared it as a protected monument.  

The Dhulgram Shiva temple complex in its peaceful natural settings could attract tourists from across the country. But at present, only passionate travellers like me visit the temple complex. If the relevant authorities renovate and promote the site, then tourists from home and neighbouring countries, like India, will also feel interested to visit the historical place. n

References: Late Mediaeval Temples of Bengal: Origins and Classification by David J McCutchion (Asiatic Society, Calcutta, 1972); Jashor Khulnar Itihash, Vol-2: A History of Jessore and Khulna by Satish Chandra Mitra (1914); A Report on the District of Jessore: Its Antiquities, Its History, Its Commerce (1871); Bangladesher Mandir by Ratan Lal Chakrabarti (Bangla Academy, 1985).

Photos: Writer.

Dhulgram Group Temple Complex

Grouped temples constitute a very important part of Bengal temple architecture. Usually, they are temples of identical style and size that are grouped together and arranged in a recognised geometrical pattern. There are a smaller number and less variety of grouped temples (4-Shiva temples, 11-Shiva temples, 12-Shiva temples) in Bangladesh. At Abhaynagar upazila in Jessore, there is a small village called Dhulgram. Once, it had a group temple complex of 12 temples. According to historical records, Diwan Hariram Mitra built these temples in 1749 AD on instruction from the Chanchra Raj. There is an interesting story connected to the construction of the temple complex. According to the story, Hariram Mitra of Baghutia was the dewan (chief minister) of Chanchra King Nilkantha Roy. The king ordered Mitra to build a royal palace and a number of Shiva temples for his widowed daughter, Abhaya. On the other hand, Dewan Hariram Mitra did not own any house of his own. For this reason, the king asked his dewan to build a house with temples for himself, too. Dewan Mitra built a new palace and 11-Shiva temple complex for Chanchra Princess Abhaya at Bhatpara village under Baghutia union of Abhaynagar. The dewan also built a new house and 12-Shiva temple complex for himself at Dhulgram village under Siddhipasha union of Abhaynagar, on the bank of the Bhairab River, between 1745 and 1764 AD. Apart from that, King Nilkantha Roy also set up separate temples for different goddesses at different locations of Abhaynagar. But most of the temples of Dhulgram group temple complex were destroyed by the Bhairab River in course of time. The ruins of a few temples can still be seen on the bank of the river. Besides the ruins, only one Shiva temple is now standing at the Dhulgram temple complex. Once, the temple was adorned with beautiful terracotta plaques. The only surviving temple has lost most of its terracotta decorations due to lack of conservation. The situation got worse when the dome of the temple was overgrown with small trees and plants. The corners of the temples are badly damaged, and the remaining parts have crumbled over time. The Department of Archaeology (DOA) has not yet declared it as a protected monument. The Dhulgram Shiva temple complex in its peaceful natural settings could attract tourists from across the country. But at present, only passionate travellers like me visit the temple complex. If the relevant authorities renovate and promote the site, then tourists from home and neighbouring countries, like India, will also feel interested to visit the historical place. n References: Late Mediaeval Temples of Bengal: Origins and Classification by David J McCutchion (Asiatic Society, Calcutta, 1972); Jashor Khulnar Itihash, Vol-2: A History of Jessore and Khulna by Satish Chandra Mitra (1914); A Report on the District of Jessore: Its Antiquities, Its History, Its Commerce (1871); Bangladesher Mandir by Ratan Lal Chakrabarti (Bangla Academy, 1985). Photos: Writer.