Kantaji Temple, Dinajpur, Rangpur Division

Kantanagar / Kantajiu Temple

 Kantanagar Temple (Kantajew / Kantajiu / কান্তজী মন্দির) a 18th century brick temple of hindus, situated in the village of Kantanagar, Sundarpur Union, Kaharole sub-district, about 26 km  north of Dinajpur town across the Dhepa river. It is an unique example of the temple architecture of terra cotta (terracotta) art in the subcontinent. This temple is also known as Nava-Ratna temple because there was crowned with nine ornamental spires or ratnas or sikhara. The roof of the ground floor and first floor each contains four spires at their corners while the roof of the second floor, in its middle contains the central spires. But by the destructive earthquake of 1897, the original nine spires on the top destroyed. In the early 20th century Maharaja Girijanath Bahadur restored it, excluding the missing nine spires.

Kantanagar Temple

This three storied brick temple is a well known, outstanding monument in Bengal for its wonderful terracotta decoration. You will see terracotta decoration in every available inch of its wall surface from ground to top, inside and outside. They are reflecting the stories of the Mahabharat, the Ramayan, other social scenes, the favourite pastimes and hunting.

Maharaja Prannath of Dinajpur began its construction in 1704 (not sure). But from the writing of a Sanskrit stone found in the northeast corner of the temple, it can be assumed that Maharaja Prannath started it in his old age 1722 and from 1722 to 1752 in 30 years it was completed by his adopted son Maharaja Ramnath by the order of his mother Rukmini.

At the beginning it was 70 ft high but after reconstruction (without spires) it's now 50 ft high. It's a square shape temple (52 ft square) standing over a rectangular stone base of high 3 ft, length 240 ft and wide 120 ft. The book Berai Bangladesh, page 217, mentioned: Legend says the historical name of this area was "Uttor Go Grriho" means "Part of Northern King's Cow House".

Government in 1960 declared it as a protected monument. Since then the department of Archeology has been performing the conservation and restoration work of Kantanagar Temple. There is an excellent article written by Mr. Nazimuddin Ahmed about Kantanagar Temple. Please read it www.banglapedia.org. For Bengali readers can read this article www.dinajpur.net.

How to go there

Kantanagar Temple is in the Sundarpur Union,  Kaharole sub-district. From Dinajpur city about 24 km north, Dhaka - Thakugaon highway comes "Rampur More" then take the road of "Kaharole" and go about 4 km, you will find Kantanagar Temple on your left.

Terra Cotta Art in Kantaji Temple

Right: Sri Sri Kantajiu and Left: Kantajui Temple Original Form

About Our Tour
June, 2010 from 14 to 16 I had traveled Bogra, Rangpur and Dinajpur for PAT with BTCL officers. We had started from Dhaka at 14th June, reached Dinajpur on the same date. Next day 15th June we visited Kantanagar Temple, Nayabad Mosque (Noyabad Mosjid), Ramsagar, Dinajpur Rajbari. I am also writing about them. Please read my related post about Nayabad Masjid & Dinajpur Rajbari. It was an unbelievable tour and all the credit goes to Mr. Atique sir for showing me such historical places. All this things inside our country inspired me to write this blog.   

As far I remember we had two PAT teams for IP and Access Network. One lead by Mr. Sajid and another by me. We started PAT at the 1st of June. I was with Team A and later on switched to Team B.

Team A
Rajshahi Division: Bogra,Pabna, Talaimari, Sirajgonj.
Rangpur Division: Dinajpur.
Chittagong Division: Noakhali, Feni, Comilla.

PAT Members
Mr. A K M Habibur Rahman, DE Planing, BTCL
Mr. Habibur Rahman Pramanik, DE, BTCL
Mr. Mohammad Atiqur Rahman, ADE, BTCL
Mr. Shahdat Hossain, ADE, BTCL

Terracotta Art in Kantaji Temple

Short history of the Raja and Maharajas of Dinajpur

Raja Sukdev Roy: 1642 - 1677 A.D.
Mughal emperor gave the title "Raja" to Sukdev Roy because he obtain a large territory in the north Bengal region. He died in 1677. Maybe the "Sukh Sagar" (Sea of Pleasure) is the only remaining left. Raja Sukdhev had two wives. Ramdev and Joydev were born by his first wife and Prannath was the son of second wife. Among 3 son Ramdev died very young.

Raja Joydev: 1677 - 1682 A.D. 
The second son Joydev became raja and ruled the kingdom for five years from 1677 A.D. to 1682 A.D.

Maharaja Prannath: 1682 -1722 A.D.
Maharaja Prannath was a very powerful zamindar and he ruled the Dinajpur for 40 years. Rukmini was his wife and Ramnath was his adopted son. He dug a lake named "Pransagar" (Sea of life / Sea of Prannath), 18 kilometers south of Dinajpur. The most remarkable thing he did in his life was to start the magnificent Kantaji Temple. Some said he started it in 1704 AD but from the trusted source it can be assumed that he started it in his old age 1722. From 1722 to 1752 AD, in 30 years it was completed by his son Maharaja Ramnath.

Maharaja Ramnath: 1722 -1763 A.D.
Maharaja Ramanath was very powerful and honest king. He was a brave warrior and great administrator. After becoming king he gave attention to rebuilding the estate. He constructed the famous Rajbari and dug the famous Ramsagar Lake. He also built a temple at Rajarampur and gave attention to complete the unfinished Kantanagar temple. All his work make him the most memorable person of Dinajpur District. Also make the district a famous tourist place. Ramnath had four sons. Krishnanath, Roopnath, Baidyanath and Kantanath. He died in 1760 AD.

Raja Baidyanath: 1763 -1778 A.D.
When he was sited in the throne the political environment changed significantly in India. British got the power to collect the revenues.  Maybe in 1772 an English collector was appointed as the zamindar of Dinajpur. Raja Baidyanath died in 1780 without any heir. Rani Saraswati's adopted son Radhanath become the zamindar under the British rule.

Places to see in Dinajpur 

1. Dinajpur Rajbari (দিনাজপুর রাজবাড়ী)
2. Swapnopuri Picnic Spot (স্বপ্নপুরী পিকনিক স্পট)
3. Suk Sagar Eco Park (সুখ সাগর ইকো পার্ক)
4. Ram Sagar (রাম সাগর)
5. Nayabad Mosque  (নয়াবাদ মসজিদ)
6. Surah Masjid (সুরা মসজিদ)
7. Chehelgazi Mosque and Shrine (চেহেলগাজি মসজিদ ও মাজার)
8. Rajarampur Rose Mary Church (রাজারামপুর রোজ মেরি চার্চ)
9. Sitakot Bihar (সীতাকোট বিহার)
10. Kantaji Temple (কান্তজি মন্দির)
11. Govindaswami Temple (গোবিন্দস্বামী মন্দির)
12. Birganj National Park (বীরগঞ্জ জাতীয় উদ্যান)
13. Singra National Park (সিংড়া জাতীয় উদ্যান)
14. Ghodaghat Fort (ঘোডাঘাট দুর্গ)
15. Haji Mohammad Danesh University of Science and Technology  (হাজী মোহাম্মদ দানেশ বিজ্ঞান ও প্রযুক্তি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়)
16. Deepshikha Meti School (দীপশিখা মেটি স্কুল)
16. Mohanpur Rubber Dam (মোহনপুর রাবার ড্যাম)
16. Eidgah ground (ঈদগাহ মাঠ)
19. Shalban of of Biral, Dharmapur Union (বিরলের ধর্মপুর ইউনিয়নের শালবন)
20. Hili Land Port (হিলি স্থল বন্দর)
21. Zero Point (জিরো পয়েন্ট)
22. Sheikh Russell National Park (শেখ রাসেল ন্যাশনাল পার্ক)

Related Post

Nayabad Masjid, 18th Century Brick Mosque .

Dinajpur Rajbari, white painted large gate  called Lion Gate, inside Krisna Temple

Ramsagar National Park, Dinajpur.

.