Chanchra Shiva Mandir

Chanchra Shiva Mandir located in Chanchra village of Jessore Sadar Upazila is a historical architectural monument of about 322 years old. King Manohar Roy of Chanchra built this temple in 1696 AD. Another smaller pitched roof has been built over the original rectangular pitched roof of the Atchala style Shiva temple. There are three arched entrances in front of the east-facing Chanchra Shiva temple. Beautifully decorated with terracotta plaques, the temple measures 9.5 meters in length and 8.13 meters in width. Lime, surki and square bricks have been used in making Chanchra Shiva Mandir.

The famous historian Satishchandra Mitra's book 'Yeshohar-Khulna Itihasa' published in 1914 mentions the Shiva temple in Chanchra in the chapter 'Chanchra Dynasty'. Various religious events are organized in this temple every Amavasya and Purnima. Apart from this, Shivratri, Dol Utsav, Loknath Baba Paduka Utsav are also attended by visitors from far and wide. Currently, Chanchra Shiv Mandir is listed as a protected structure by Bangladesh Directorate of Antiquities.

Chanchra village is only 4 km away from Daratana Bhairab Chatwar of Jessore Sadar. From Dartana Bhairab Chattar, one can visit Chanchra Shiv Mandir located along the Jessore-Benapole highway by rickshaw or van.

Jessore by bus from Dhaka There are opportunities to go to Jessore by road, rail and air from Dhaka, the capital city. Several AC/Non-AC buses operated by Sohag, Hanif, SP Golden Line, MR Enterprise, Desh Travels, AK Travels, Green Line, Shyamoli and Eagle Transport operate from Kalyanpur, Gabtali and Kalabagan in Dhaka. Non-AC bus fare to Jessore is Tk 550-750 and AC bus fare is Tk 750-1300.

Dhaka to Jessore by Train Intercity Sunderban Express train departs Jessore from Kamalapur railway station in Dhaka at 8:15 AM on 6 days of the week except Wednesdays and another intercity train called Chitra Express at 7:30 PM on 6 days of the week except Sundays and Benapole Express. Leaving for Jessore at 11:45 PM on 6 days of the week except Wednesday. Class wise train ticket price is Tk 560-1,927.

Besides, Bangladesh Biman, US-Bangla Airlines and NovoAir operate regular flights on Dhaka-Jesore route from the domestic terminal of Dhaka Shahjalal International Airport.

Jessore has several government rest houses and residential hotels for overnight stay. Among them are Hotel City Plaza International (01795-477977), Hotel Hasan International (0421-67478), Hotel Shams International (0421-71564), Jabir International Hotel (+8801880-004044), Hotel RS International (0421-62617).

Jessore really shouldn't miss the famous jamatla sweets, date molasses para sandesh and viza pitha. Besides, you can eat kebabs, fries, chap or luchi from 'Johnny Kebab' at Char Khambar Mor. Also, there is no point in depriving yourself of the taste of Dharmatala's Malai Cha and Chuk Nagar's famous Chui Jhal food.