200-year-old twin temples at risk

Left in utter negligence, the two-century-old twin temples, Shree Shree Anandamoyee Shiva and Kali Mata Mandir, in Muktagacha upazila of Mymensingh is awaiting the loss of its architectural beauty, thanks to the indifference of the authorities concerned.

Built in 1820 by Shreemoti Bimola Devi, mother of zaminder Maharaja Shashikanta Acharya Chowdhury, the temple with its unique artistic design is the second of its kind in Asia, said Rakesh Chakraborty, a priest at the temple.

Another such temple is located in Kolkata of West Bengal, he adds.

Located outside the palaces of Muktagacha zaminders in Kalibari area, the temple --also known as “Dhaksinashar Mandir” -- is oblong in shape with conical shape tops and small corridors on a high basement which is connected to the staircase leading to a large pond.

The pond which adds extra beauty to the temple was dug in front of the temple for an easy supply of water for the devotees.

In 1993, the Department of Archaeology (DoA) under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs listed the temple as an archaeological site for its proper preservation but its condition has worsened over the last two decades, locals alleged.

The department has put up a signboard on April 5 in 2006 only to show its presence, they said.

Devotees from home and abroad visit the temple on different occasions like Durga Puja, Kattiyani Puja, and Kali and Manasha Puja every year. Religious functions including solemnising of marriages and annaprashan (a ceremony in which babies are introduced to solid food) are also being held on the temple premises for ages, said Rakesh.

Veena Sikri, former Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, visited some old temples including this one here in 2006, locals said.

Now the condition of the temples is very rickety. Cracks have developed on its roofs and rain water drips through them posing a risk of collapse at any moment, said 90-year old Samor Das.

But no initiative has yet been taken by the authorities concerned to protect the temple, lamented Samor.

Some devotees in the locality alleged that they have to visit the temple risking life.

Though the DoA took custody of the temple 24 years ago, nothing has yet been done to protect it, said Alok Saha, secretary of the temple committee.