Kantajew Temple

Kantajir Temple ( Kantajir Temple ) is a traditional structure of Bangladesh. This temple is known by different names, some know it as Kantajew Temple or Kantnagar Temple and to many Kantjee Temple is also known as Navratna Temple. Built in the 18th century, the temple is located in Kantnagar village on the banks of river Dhenpa, about a mile west of the Dinajpur-Tetalia 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. On the western side of Kantji's temple there is a staircase leading up from the balcony.

There is a possibility to go to Dinajpur from Dhaka by bus and train . Buses bound for Dinajpur usually leave from Dhaka's Gabtali and Kalyanpur. Bus services include Nabeel Paribahan, SR Travels, SA Paribahan, Hanif Enterprises, Kaya Paribahan, Shyamoli Paribahan etc. Non-AC and AC bus fares are 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. Depending on the category, the ticket price of these trains will be from Tk 575 to Tk 1,978.

You can easily visit Kantji temple by hiring an autorickshaw or CNG from Dinajpur.

If you want to stay in a good quality hotel in Dinajpur city, you can contact Tourism Motel ( 0531-64718 ). Tourist hotels can be booked from Dhaka ( 9899288 ) to 91. You can spend the night at a tourist motel for 1500 to 2200 taka.

Or you can contact the standard hotels in Dinajpur if needed. 200 to 1000 in standard residential hotels like Hotel Diamond ( 0531-64629 ), New Hotel ( 0531-68122 ), Hotel Al Rashid ( 0531-64251 ), Hotel Rehana ( 0531-64414 ), Hotel Naveen ( 0531-64178 ), etc. You can spend the night with money.

You can also take permission to stay in the bungalow of the local forest department located in Ramsagar. 500 to 1000 rupees per night stay in common room and AC room of this bungalow.

In Dinajpur you can try roast beef, kathi kebab etc. at Rustam, Five Star, Dilshad Hotel. Besides, Dilshad Restaurant's Patisapta has a good reputation. Besides, you can have a meal with rice, beef or chicken, pulses and vegetables at Abul Hotel in Pulahat Bisik area.