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Hinduism is the second largest religious affiliation in Bangladesh, covering more than 13% of the population, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. In terms of population, Bangladesh is the third largest Hindu state in the world after India and Nepal.
In nature, Bangladeshi Hinduism closely resembles the forms and customs of Hinduism practised in the neighbouring Indian state of West Bengal, with which Bangladesh (at one time known as East Bengal) was united until the partition of India in 1947. |
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Dhakeshwari National Temple |
Dhakeshwari National Temple is a famous Hindu temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh and is state-owned, giving it the distinction of Bangladesh's "National Temple". The name "Dhakeshwari" means "Goddess of Dhaka". The temple is located southwest of the Salimullah Hall of Dhaka University. Since the destruction of Ramna Kali Mandir in 1971 by the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Dhakeshwari Temple has assumed status as the most important Hindu place of worship in Bangladesh.
Location and structure
The temple is located in Old Dhaka right behind the campus of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), on Orphanage Road near Bakshi Bazar area. There is a permanent altar outside the main temple premises. It hosts the yearly Puja (worship) of Goddess Durga. Inside the main temple premises, there are four identical structures devoted to Lord Shiva. To the east of these is the main temple, which hosts the statue of the Goddess.
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History
The Dhakeshwari temple was built in the 12th century by Ballal Sen, a king of the Sena dynasty, and many say the name of the city was coined after this temple. The current style of architecture of the temple cannot be dated to that period because of numerous repairs, renovations and rebuilding in its long years of existence and its present condition does not clearly show any of its original architectural characteristics. It is considered an essential part of Dhaka's cultural heritage. Many researchers say that the temple is also one of the Shakti Peethas, where the jewel from the crown of the Goddess had fallen. Although there is not enough historical context in order to establish this as a fact, researchers were directed to this site while trying to locate the particular Shakti Peetha. Since ages, the temple has been held in great importance. The original 800-year old statue was destroyed during the War of 1971.
Declaration as National Temple of Bangladesh
In 1996, Dhakeshwari Temple was renamed Dhakeshwari Jatiya Mandir (National Temple) reflecting its position as the center of Hindu culture and worship in Bangladesh. This was the culmination of a major campaign by Bangladeshi Hindu groups who had been demanding official recognition for the primary Hindu place of worship following the declaration of Islam as the state religion in 1988. As a result, the Flag of Bangladesh is hoisted every morning outside the main temple premises, and it follows the National Flag Code rules such as rendering half-mast on nationally declared days of mourning.
As is the practice in other leading religious places of worship in Bangladesh, day-long prayers are common practice during important national holidays such as Independence Day, Language Martyrs' Day, Victory Day and birth and death anniversaries of popular leaders. |
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Ramna Kali Mandir |
The Ramna Kali Mandir, also known as the Ramna Kalibari (house of the Hindu Goddess Kali) was one of the most famous Hindu temples of the Indian subcontinent. It was believed to be over a thousand years old and was situated in Dhaka (capital of present day Bangladesh on the outskirts of the Ramna Park (now renamed as Suhrawardy Udyan). The temple was bulldozed by the Pakistan Army on 27 March 1971 as it commenced its genocide during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Common lore holds it that the temple was established by a Nepalese devotee of the Goddess Kali who had come to Bengal from the Himalayas. The major development of the temple occurred under the patronage of Rani Bilashmoni Debi of Bhawal estate.
The temple was one of Dhaka city's most prominent landmarks, its tower visible for miles around at a time when Dhaka had yet to embrace the highrise culture. In front of the temple was a large dighi (pond) which was a popular place for both worshippers and visitors to the park to take a dip and cool down. The architecture of the temple reflected the different styles the many centuries over which it was built.The tower was usually called "shikhara" which should not be confused with minerate of mosque. Next to the temple was Ma Anandamoyee Ashram, another place of worship with a residential complex and sanitation facility. The entire temple complex spanned almost 2.25 acres (9,100 m2) and was situated on the south side of Ramna Park, opposite the Bangla Academy.
The Ramna Kali Mandir is clearly seen in the pictures of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's famous address of 7 March 1971, probably the last time it was photographed by mass media |
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Chandranath Hindu Temple |
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It is approximately 37 km. far from Chittagong city. This is famous for Chandranath Hindu Temple - one of the oldest temples in the subcontinent. There is also Buddhist Temple having a footprint of Lord Buddha. These places particularly the hilltops are regarded as a very sacred by the hindus and buddhist. Shiva Chaturdoshi (14th) festivals is held every year in February when thousands of pilgrims assemble which lasts for ten days. There is also a hot-water spring 5 km. to the north of Sitakunda. |
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Puthia Temple Town |
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Puthia has the largest number of historically important Hindu structures in Bangladesh. The most amazing of the village a monuments is the Govinda Temple, which was erected between 1823 and 1895 by the Maharani (queen) of the Puthia estate. Other important structures are Jagannath Temple, Siva Temple, Jor-Bangla Temple, Raj Bari etc. |
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Sri Chaitanya Temple |
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About 500 years old famous temple of Sri Chaitanya Dev is located at Dhaka Dakhin nearly 45 km. south-east from Sylhet town. The place is revered for being the ancestral home of the famous Vaishnava saint. Annual fair is organized on the full moon day of the Bangla month Falgun. Hundreds of devotees from home and abroad attend this colourful fair. |
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