The Pancho Mondir in Naldanga of Jhenidah’s Kaliganj upazila is slowly getting its splendour back during the ongoing renovation work. Photo: Star

On an average day, more than 1,500 people visit the scenic site in Naldanga area of Kaliganj upazila, where the Begboti river flows by eight spectacular Hindu temples, built several centuries ago, on over 20 acres of land.

But the visitors have to rush back home with the fall of darkness at dusk when the compound turns into a safe haven for drug dealers, addicts and other antisocial elements of the area. 

Construction of the temples was first initiated by the then zamindar in the area in 1656 and successive heirs of the zamindar family carried out the work throughout the following centuries. After the death of Promotho Bhushan Deb Roy, the last zamindar of the family, in 1941, the estate eventually became property of the Pakistan government in 1955.  

Currently, six of the temples -- Shib Mondir, Pancho Mondir, Gopal Mondir, Ganesh Mondir, Laxmi Mondir and Siddheshwari Mondir -- are being renovated by Naldanga Mondir Committee.  

The other two -- Rajeshwari Mondir and Bishnu Mondir -- still lie in a deplorable condition.

The Committee has been working on to restore the past glory of the complex by raising funds from locals. But due to insufficient funds, it could not yet manage to employ security staff or install security lighting, boundary fence and restrooms in order to ensure security and comfort of visitors at the sprawling estate.   

Arun Mondol, secretary of Naldanga Mondir Committee, said while hundreds of devotees visit the temples every day to offer puja, a good number of others visit the place for recreational purpose.

Thousands throng the temples during Durga Puja. Basonti Puja festival in the Bangla month of Chaitra also draws a large crowd every year.

The temple complex would be safer and more enjoyable for the visitors if they could secure the area with boundary fences, arrange a rest house for overnight stay and construct adequate toilet facilities with tube wells for supply of fresh water, he added.

Mosharraf Hossain, a teacher at Berbenni Secondary School, told this correspondent that he brought his family members along as he heard a lot about the beautiful ancient temples by the river from many people.

Another visitor, Swapan Chakrabarti, a social worker by profession, said a river flowing by eight ancient temples is a sight to behold.

But unfortunately, such a remarkable historic site does not have any amenities for visitors, he also said.  

Uma Chatterji, a senior citizen, said she had been offering puja at the temples for many years, but the area has no place to stay overnight and loitering of drug addicts at night inside the unlit temple compound makes it unsafe for all.

Contacted, Jhenidah Deputy Commissioner Saroj Kumar Nath said he would take necessary steps in this regard after visiting the site.