Kantajir Temple is a traditional structure of Bangladesh. This temple is known by different names, some know it as Kantajew Temple or Kantanagar Temple and to many Kantajee Temple is also known as Navaratna Temple. Built in the 18th century, the temple is located in Kantnagar village on the banks of river Dhepa, about a mile west of Dinajpur-Tetulia road, 20 km from Dinajpur city. According to the inscriptions of Kantji’s temple, the then Maharaja zamindar Prananath Roy started the construction of this temple. Later, after the death of Prananath Roy in 1722, his adopted son Maharaja Ramnath Roy completed the construction of the temple in 1752. Kantji’s temple was then 70 feet high but the temple was damaged in the earthquake of 1897, now its height is 50 feet. Around 15,000 terracotta tiles on the outer walls of this square temple are inscribed with Mahabharata, Ramayana and various mythological stories. The inner deity can be seen from all sides of this three-tiered temple. All the 1st floor entrances feature multi-fluted arches, with two brick piers separating the arches. The pillars are beautiful and ornate. The temple has 21 arches on the 1st floor, 27 on the 2nd floor and 3 on the 3rd floor. Steps leading up from the balcony on the west side of Kantji’s temple has stairs.
How to go
There is a possibility to go to Dinajpur from Dhaka by bus and train. Buses usually leave from Dhaka’s Gabtali and Kalyanpur bound for Dinajpur. Bus services include Nabeel Paribahan, SR Travels, SA Paribahan, Hanif Enterprises, Kaya Paribahan, Shyamoli Paribahan etc. Non-AC and AC bus fare is Tk 800 to Tk 1500 depending on the standard. Besides, several buses leave from Uttara in the capital for Dinajpur. Inter-city Ekta Express, Hirtyan Express, and Panchagarh Express trains leave for Dinajpur from Dhaka’s Kamalapur or Airport railway stations. The ticket price of these trains will be from Tk 575 to Tk 1,978 depending on the category. You can easily visit Kantji temple by hiring an autorickshaw or CNG from Dinajpur.