CHAPAINAWABGANJ, BANDGLADESH, March 27, 2008: The ancient Shiva Temple at Bholahat Upazila in Chapai-nawabganj, Bangladesh, stands on the verge of ruination after years and years of neglect.
Locals allege that the temple, built during the Sen era of 1156-1206 AD, is gradually falling apart. Deep cracks have developed on the walls of the 12th century structure while weeds have covered most of its body. Most of the terracotta tiles that once decorated the body of the temple have eroded. Others have been lost over the years. Thieves have stolen bricks, terracotta tiles and other valuable things from the temple situated only 200 yards away from Bholahat police station.
Dr. Majharul Islam Toru, a local historian and associate professor at the Chapainawabganj Govt. College, claims that this Shiva Temple of Bholahat is one of the most beautiful Hindu temples in the northern part of the country.
But today, cow dung cakes cover the lower half of the temple’s walls on the outside. Locals use the temple’s walls to dry these cakes for fuel.
Some complain that the aesthetic value of the temple, not to mention its religious significance, has been seriously damaged by the use of its walls to dry cow dung cakes. They urge the government to take immediate steps for the preservation of the 12th century temple.