Historical Artwork - Pancharatna Govinda Temple Puthia, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Full view & Cover Image

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A short Details of Pancharatna Govinda Temple

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Type of activities	Travel, Historical, Artwork
Place Name	Pancharatna Govinda Temple
Address	Puthia, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Google Plus code	9R6P+JRW, Puthia - Bagha Rd, Puthia

Puthia is located about 30 kilometers from Rajshahi city. A road from Puthia Bazar on the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway enters the Puthia Rajbari Complex. Puthia can be easily reached by bus or CNG autorickshaw from Rajshahi city. To go to this location easily, you have to follow these rules. Initially, you have to come to Rajshahi from any part of Bangladesh. You can also go by bus or train. Local buses or CNG (auto) to Puthia are available from Rajshahi bus stand. It will take about 30-45 minutes.

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Opening and closing schedule

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As the Pancharatna Govinda Temple is part of the Puthia Rajbari Complex, its opening schedule is consistent with the Puthia Museum and Rajbari schedule. However, since the temple is accessible through the entrance of the museum, it is not possible to enter the temple even if the museum is closed. Below I have a table on a table to show which day it is open and closed.

Opening Hour	Closing Hour	Days Open
9:00 AM	5:00 PM	Sunday-Saturday

Entry fee or Ticket

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I went to that temple in Rajshahi last year. So the ticket price may be more or less now, but it is not a matter of course. To enter the Puthia Rajbari complex, you have to collect a ticket, which is valid for entering the museum and all the temples. The ticket price is shown in the table below.

Bangladeshi citizens	BDT 30 (local taka)	2 STEEM Approx
Student (ID card required)	BDT 10 (local taka)	0.5 STEEM Approx
Citizens of SAARC countries	BDT 100 (local taka)	6.5 STEEM Approx
Other foreign nationals	BDT 200 (local taka)	13 STEEM Approx
Children under 3 years old and disabled people	Free	-

History of Pancharatna Govinda Temple

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Puthia, in the Rajshahi district of northern Bangladesh, is a haven of historical and cultural heritage. The area is not only famous for its ancient palaces or dynasties but also for its numerous Hindu temples with unique architectural styles. One such amazing structure is the Pancharatna Govinda Temple, which is a rare blend of religion, history and art. Inspired by the Puthia royal family, this temple was built between 1823 and 1895. It was built by Queen Bhuvanamayi Devi, an influential and culture-loving woman of the Puthia dynasty. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is also worshipped by the people here as Govinda.

Full view of Pancharatna Govinda Temple

This temple was not only a religious place of worship but also a strong symbol of the spirituality, artistic sense and social welfare of the royal family of that time. This temple complex, part of the Puthia Rajbari, was considered the cultural heart of Rajshahi at that time. The Pancharatna Govinda Temple bears the hallmarks of the 'Pancharatna' or five-spired temple in its architectural style. The main structure of the temple is built on a square platform. It has four small spires at its four corners and a main spire in the middle, a style developed from the 'Navaratna' style of Hindu architecture. This type of spired design mainly became popular in the construction of Hindu temples in Bengal in the 17th-18th centuries.

Let's explore more of the Pancharatna Govinda Temple.

Pancharatna Govinda Temple is not just a place of religious rituals or worship. It is a significant example of temple architecture in Bangladesh. The architectural style of this temple highlights Bengal's own cultural diversity and artistic heritage. The temple is undoubtedly a shining testimony to our national architectural heritage. Numerous domestic and foreign tourists visit this temple every day. Being located next to the Puthia Palace, it is considered an important tourist destination. The beauty and history of the temple are so fascinating that many call this structure a royal jewel hidden in the farmlands of Bangladesh.

Back view

The temple is constructed using high-quality bricks and finely crafted terracotta panels. But what makes it unique is the terracotta panels. These panels depict the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the pastimes of Lord Krishna in beautiful designs. Just look at the walls all around the temple and you will see the skillful touch of terracotta. The arches of the walls are adorned with ornate work and fine craftsmanship. There is a continuous scene above the entrance where an epic atmosphere is created by the combination of humans, gods and animals.

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The history of the craftsmanship of this temple

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The image I have shared below is a part of the wall of the Puthia Pancharatna Govinda Temple, which shows very fine and artistic terracotta craftsmanship. This type of craftsmanship carries a unique identity in the temple architecture of Bengal. It is discussed in detail.

Battle scene history

• Mythological battle scene :- The bottom row of the picture shows warriors on horseback fighting. This could be a battle scene from the Mahabharata or the Ramayana. In particular, it depicts a warlike environment by showing horses, swords, shields and hand-to-hand combat.

• Worship of gods and goddesses and ceremonies in temples :- In one place, a few people are seen performing a worship scene where a deity is placed centrally. This could be a Radha-Krishna worship, Sita's ordeal or a royal court worship scene.

• Depiction of Krishna Leela :- The upper row of the picture shows several characters in various poses, perhaps one of which depicts Krishna holding the Govardhan or playing Ras Leela with the Gopis. Such scenes are very common in Puthiya terracotta and are a living form of Hindu religious stories.

History of temple ceremonies

• Ornament and Nature :- Flowers, vine-leaf designs, and abstract ornaments are seen throughout the top row and bottom edge of the painting. This is not just for aesthetics but is a means of expressing the artist's traditional style.

• Significance of Crafts :- Such terracotta panels not only depict religious stories but also capture historical social life, clothing, weapons and culture. These crafts were originally a means of presenting mythological stories through pictures to the illiterate public in temples.

This craftsmanship is a wonderful example of Bengali temple art, which is of immense value not only from an aesthetic point of view but also from a historical and religious educational point of view. Each carving is like a living history of Bengal's soil, culture, faith and artistic pursuits.

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What it represents for people and culture.

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Pancharatna Govinda Temple is not just a monument of architecture, it is a reflection of a deep soul of people and culture. In this temple, every brick, every terracotta slab hides the history of people's spiritual faith, devotion and prayer. The paintings here depict Krishna Leela, war scenes and moral teachings that inspire people not only on religious but also moral paths. This temple is a wonderful combination of Bengali pottery, terracotta decoration and architectural style. It teaches today's generation how soil, time and faith can come together to create immortal art. Standing in front of some ancient architectural pillars, I took pictures and left them as memorials.

I stand with the ancient architectural pillars.

When I myself stood in the premises of the Pancharatna Govinda Temple in Puthia, it was as if time had stopped. The silent nature around me, the play of sunlight on the ancient architecture and the depth of the terracotta craftsmanship fascinated me. It felt like I was not just a tourist but a silent reader of history.

In each terracotta tablet, it was as if someone from the past was talking to me, sometimes Krishna, sometimes a warring king, sometimes a gopi in love. Each wall of the temple tells a story, the threads of which flow in the mind and brain for a long time.

Public review & my recommendation

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I will sincerely request every history lover, art lover and cultured person to visit here at least once. Because coming here you will not only see the past but also reinvent yourself. But some things I have come to realize here. The experience would have been richer if there was an information board to know the meaning or history of each craft. If maintenance is strengthened by the government, this structure will survive for many more generations. So the Pancharatna Govinda temple in Puthiya is not just an architecture, it is a feeling of history, one love.

My Travel Date	10/07/2024
Steem-atlas map pin code	[//]:# (!steematlas 24.36156181 lat 88.83705318 long Pancharatna Govinda Temple, Rajshahi d3scr)
Google Maps Location	click here
Social media links	click here
Wikipedia links	click here
Architecture Design	5/5
Environment	5/5
Cost	4.8/5
Overall	4.9/5

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