Sirajganj: Noborotno Mondir

Saturday, 28 January 2012

Noborotno Temple(নবরত্ন মন্দির) is located at the Noborotno Para(নবরত্ন পাড়া) village of Hatikumrul Union(হাটিকুমরুল ইউনিয়ন) of Ullapara Upozila(উল্লাপাড়া উপজেলা) of Sirajganj district(সিরাজগঞ্জ জেলা) of Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ). It is believed to be a 300 years of old temple having similar architecture to the Kantajew temple of Dinajpur(দিনাজপুর) by shape.

This temple was built somewhere between 1704 – 1728, by a tahsildar(তহসিলদার) named Ramnath Bhaduri(রামনাথ ভাদুরী). Local people call this temple as Dol Moncho(দোল মঞ্চ). Some people believe that this is the largest Noborotno Mondir(নবরত্ন মন্দির) of Bangladesh.

This is a three stored temple where the first floor is the largest and the top one is the smallest floor of the temple. The temple is built over a high plinth. Its around 15 meter square shaped temple. Height of the temple is around 13 meter.

This ancient temple was severely damaged during the earthquake of 1987, like many others edifices of North Bengal. After reserving the temple, government made several renovations.

Near the temple I have found another three small temples which are contemporary to main one. One of those is having lovely terracotta at the front wall. Most of the terracotta are the depiction of the god and goddesses of Hindu religions. Below are the photos of other temples.

How to Go:

1) You can take any bus of Hanif(হানিফ), Shamoli(শ্যামলী), National(ন্যাশনাল), etc from the Kollanpur(কল্যানপুর) Bus Stand. Ask the bus to drop you at Hatikumrul-Sirajganj Mor(সিরাজগঞ্জ-হাটিকুমরুল মোড়). Bus fare will be 350 taka(during return, it will be 250 taka). GPS of the location is (24°25’8.73″N, 89°33’6.26″E).

2) The temple is few kilometers north-east from the stoppage. Take a van, ask him to drop you at the Noborotno Temple(নবরত্ন মন্দির). It will be 15 taka per head and 15 minutes of ride. GPS of the temple location is (24°25’57.59″N, 89°33’10.78″E).

3) While returning back, you can buy ticket of Dhaka from the “Road counters”. There are plenty of such counters beside the road. Return ticket fare is 250 taka around.

Where to stay:

I didn’t stay there and not know much about accommodation. There are few hotels available at Sirajganj(সিরাজগঞ্জ) town, and Shajadpur upozila(শাহাজাদপুর উপজেলা). You can go there and find some hotels.

Where to eat:

Near the Sirajganj-Hatikumrul Mor(সিরাজগঞ্জ-হাটিকুমরুল মোড়), you’ll find several Highway Inns(Aristocrat, Food Village, etc) for the buses. All are highly qualified to serve you better food.

Let me know if I missed something…!