Kantajew Temple or Kantajir Temple or Kantanagar Temple is an ancient temple located 20 km north of Dinajpur city in Bangladesh and west of Dinajpur-Tentulia highway on the banks of Dhempa river. It is also known as Navaratna Temple because this three-storied temple had nine pinnacles or gems. The Kantji Temple is a magnificent religious site built in the 18th century. It is known from the inscription on the foundation of the north side of the temple that the then Maharaja Zamindar of Dinajpur, Prannath Roy, started the construction of the temple in his last years. After his death in 1722, his adopted son Maharaja Ramnath Roy completed the construction of the temple in 1752 according to his last wish. Initially, the height of the temple was 60 feet.
When the temple was hit by an earthquake in 1897, its peaks collapsed. Ramayana, Mahabharata, and various myths are inscribed on terracotta plaques on the outer walls of the temple. The entire temple has about 15,000 terracotta tiles. The temple rises three steps to the top. The inner idol can be seen through all the arches around the temple. Although the temple courtyard is rectangular, the 50 feet high temple standing on a stone foundation is square. There are many grooved arches at all the entrances downstairs. The arches are separated by two brick pillars, the two pillars are very beautiful and richly decorated. The stairs go up from the second verandah on the west side of the temple. There are 21 arches on the ground floor and 28 arches on the second floor, but only 3 on the third floor.
Table of Contents
How to go To Mandir
There are two ways to go from Dhaka by bus and train. Buses from Dhaka to Dinajpur usually depart from Gabtali and Kalyanpur. Nabil Paribahan’s AC bus runs on this route. Rent 900 Tk. Besides, Hanif Enterprise – 8013714, 8015368, SR Travels – 8013793, 8019312, Keya Paribahan – 9000812, SA Paribahan – 9332052, Shyamli Paribahan – 900331, Nabil Paribahan. Rent 500-550 Tk. From Dhaka to Asadgate, College gate, Shyamoli, Kalyanpur, Technical Junction or Gabtali to Nabil, or Bablu Enterprise by chair coach directly to Dinajpur. The cars leave for about 30 minutes or 1 hour in a row throughout the day. Apart from that, some transport also goes to Dinajpur from Uttara.
The intercity train express leaves Dhaka’s Kamalapur railway station at 7.40 pm. The intercity Ekta Express leaves at 9:50 am. Ekta and Drutayan Express from Dhaka are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays respectively. The rent of elegant seats is 185 Taka, elegant chairs are 250 Taka, first-class chairs are 350 Taka, first-class berths are 535 Taka, AC chairs are 618 Taka, AC berths are 897 Taka. The palace can be reached by autorickshaw from Dinajpur city.
You can reach Kantajew Temple by autorickshaw from Dinajpur city.
Where to stay
Tourist Motel (0531-64718) is a good quality hotel to stay in Dinajpur city. Apart from this, you can also book this motel from the head office of tourism in Dhaka. Phone: 9899288-91.
Dinajpur tourist motel AC twin bed 1500 Tk and AC twin bed deluxe room 1800 rupees. Apart from this, other standard hotels in Dinajpur have accommodation for 100-1200 Tk. Some of the standard hotels are:
- Hotel Diamond (0531-64629) in Maldaha Patti,
- Hotel Al Rashid (0531-64251) on the ground floor,
- Hotel Naveen (0531-64178),
- Hotel Rehana (0531-64414),
- New Hotel (0531-68122).
You can also stay in a bungalow inside Ramsagar if you want. If you want to stay here, you have to get permission from the local forest department. The one-story building has three common and one air-conditioned room. The rent for each common room is Tk 500 per night and the rent for an air-conditioned room is Tk 1000. They have to arrange their own food. It will be a great opportunity to spend a wonderful night on the banks of Ramsagar Dighi at night.
Read More: Noyabad Mosque