What is Dhakeshwari?

Dhakeshwari Jatiya Mandir
Durga puja celebrations in Dhakeshwari Temple. Photo by:Rajiv Ashrafi
Name:	Dhakeshwari Jatiya Mandir
Date built:	12th Century CE
Primary deity:	Dhakeshwari
Architecture:	Sena
Location:	Dhaka

Dhakeshwari National Temple (Bengali: ঢাকেশ্বরী জাতীয় মন্দির Ðhakeshshori Jatio Mondir) is a famous Hindu temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh and is state-owned, giving it the distinction of Bangladesh's "National Temple". The name "Dhakeshwari" (ঢাকেশ্বরী Ðhakeshshori) 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.

History

The origin of the Dhakeshwari temple is obscure. According to popular legend, the original temple was built in 12th century by Ballal Sen, a king of the Sena dynasty, and the name of the city was coined after this temple but has its origins during the Gupta when ruled most of Bengal; East India ^[1]. But the researchers found that the style of architecture of the temple cannot be dated to that period. The temple complex has undergone repairs, renovation and rebuilding in its long years of existence and its present condition does not clearly show any of its original architectural characteristics. Nevertheless, it is considered an essential part of Dhaka's cultural heritage.

Location and structure

The temple is located in Old Dhaka right behind the campus of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. There is a permanent altar outside the main temple premises. It hosts the yearly Puja (worship) of the goddess Durga.

Inside the main temple premises, there are four identical structures devoted to the god Shiva. To the east of these is the main temple, which hosts the statue of the goddess.

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 such as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman.

Threats to temple security

The Dhakeshwari Temple was severely damaged during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, and over half of the temple's buildings were destroyed. The main worship hall was taken over by the Pakistan Army and used as an ammunitions storage area. Several of the temple custodians were tortured and killed by the Army though most, including the Head Priest, fled to their ancestral villages and to India and therefore escaped death.

A significant portion of the temple land has been lost due to the Enemy Property Act and confiscation by the Bangladesh Government, and the current premises are considerably lower than the historic reach of the property.

The temple was the victim of significant vandalism during the communal disturbances in Dhaka in 1990 and in 1992, when property worth several million Takas was destroyed.

Since the rise in communal tensions over recent years, there has been heavy policing of the temple complex during festive occasions such as Durga Puja though no major incidents have been reported recently.

Religious and socio-cultural activities

Dhakeshwari Temple is a hub of socio-cultural as well as religious activity. Each year, the largest celebration of Durga Puja (the most important event in the Bengali Hindu calendar) in Dhaka is held at the National Temple, and a stream of dignitaries (such as the Bangladeshi President, Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, Members of Parliament and media celebrities) come to felicitate the Bangladeshi Hindu community from the temple premises. Several thousand worshippers and onlookers (including Muslims) stream through the premises where they are offered prasad (food - usually rice and lentils). A Bijaya Sammelani (cultural program following Durga Puja) takes place in the adjoining parade ground a few days after Durga Puja is complete, and is also a major cultural event in the Dhaka calendar, regularly attracting some of the top performers from the Dhaka music and film industry.

One of the most important events of the year is the Janmashthami procession which starts from Dhakeshwari temple and then proceeds through the streets of Old Dhaka; this occurs on the day of the Lord Krishna's birthday, which is also a national holiday in Bangladesh and second only to Durga Puja in importance in the Bengali Hindu calendar. The procession dates back to 1902 but was stopped in 1948 following the establishment of Pakistan and communal disturbances in Dhaka. The procession was resumed in 1989.

Concerts and charity drives (such as flood relief) are also a regular fixture within the temple throughout the year. Each year, Dhakeshwari Temple hosts major blood drives and inoculation programs which are open to all residents of Dhaka city.

Gallery

Entrance to the main temple compound	Shiva temple structures inside the Dhakeshwari Temple complex. by	Main temple structure. Photo by	Main temple structure from the west side. Photo by
The Goddess statue at the Dhakeshwari Temple. Photo by Ragib Hasan

See also

Hinduism in Bangladesh

External links

• Banglapedia article on Dhakeshwari National Temple

References