| Bara Anhik Mandir | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| Location | |
| Location | Puthia |
| State | Rajshahi |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Geographic coordinates | 24°19′56″N 88°51′41″E / 24.3323°N 88.8613°E |
Bara Ahnik Mandir (Bengali: বড় আহ্নিক মন্দির) is a Hindu temple of the Puthia Temple Complex in Puthia Upazila, Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh. It stands next to Chauchala Chhota Govinda Mandir and faces east. Architecturally it is exceptional for Bangladesh, the only other of known existence of this type being Rajaram Mandir in Faridpur District. It was built by the Rajas of Puthia.[1][2]
Location
Puthia town where the temple is located is accessible by road, 32 km away from Rajshahi town which is also a railhead. Rajshahi is located on the Dhaka Rajashahi Highway.[1][3]
Features
The temple is located facing the Char Ani Rajbari on the west bank of the Shyamsagar lake.[2] The prominent feature is a triple archway in the centre, with an open platform. The temple "consists of three chambers, dochala in the center and attached two chauchala in its north and south side", hence it is also called tri-mandir (three temples); dochala, meaning two roofs, and char-chala (four roofs) or chau-chala are either square or rectangular in shape with roof in the form of a hut with four sloping parts.[1][2] It has a highly adorned eastern facade with terracotta plaques and some of them are stated to be in dilapidated condition.[1][2]
Gallery
The road to the Bara Ahnik temple
The inner part of the temple
Decoration of earthen plates on the temple
The back of the temple
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 Alam, Mahmamuda. "Puthia temple complex: Developing tourism through architecture" (pdf). BRAC University. pp. 28–29. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "Puthia Rajbari". Bara Ahnik Mandir. Rajshahi University Web Page. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ↑ Bangladesh. Ministry of Cabinet Affairs. Establishment Division; Muhammad Ishaq (1976). Bangladesh District Gazetteers: Rajshahi 1976. Bangladesh Government Press. p. 72.
