Standing as a silent witness to centuries of history, the nearly 500-year-old Hatikumrul Navaratna Temple in Ullapara Upazila of Sirajganj is drawing visitors with its terracotta artwork, ancient architecture and historical charm.
Located about one kilometre northeast of Hatikumrul bus stand on the Sirajganj-Bogura highway, the temple rises amid green paddy fields, offering a glimpse of Bengal’s medieval architectural heritage.
Locally known as Dolmancha or Dolmandir, the temple is believed to have been built by Ramnath Bhaduri during the reign of Murshid Quli Khan, the Nawab of Murshidabad.
However, historians differ over its exact construction period as no inscription or reliable record related to its origin has been found.
The three-storey structure follows the Navaratna architectural style, featuring nine pinnacles on its roof, which gave the temple its name. Most of the pinnacles have disappeared over time.
Built on a raised platform, the square-shaped temple has sides measuring around 15.4 metres. The ground floor is surrounded by two verandas with multiple arched entrances, while the inner sanctum has entrances on the east and south sides.
The outer walls were once decorated with numerous terracotta panels depicting flowers, fruits, foliage, decorative patterns and images of deities. Although many designs have been damaged due to natural erosion and neglect, traces of the intricate artwork remain visible.
The temple’s architectural style bears similarities to the historic Kantajew Temple in Dinajpur. Locals believe Ramnath Bhaduri built the structure following the design of Kantajew Temple, though no documented evidence supports the claim.
Several legends surround the temple and its nearby pond. Locals claim that traces of old brick structures can still be found underground, suggesting the area may have once housed a larger Bhaduri zamindar estate. Stories about hidden treasures and sacred presence in the pond also circulate, though these have no historical proof.
The temple complex includes several other old structures, including a Shiva-Parvati temple, a do-chala Chandi temple and another Shiva temple on the western bank of the pond.
After years of neglect and being covered by vegetation, the temple came under the Department of Archaeology, which is now responsible for its preservation and maintenance.
Mahabbat, who has been looking after the temple since 2008, said the site remains open to visitors from 9am to 4pm during winter and from 10am to 6pm in summer.
“This place attracts visitors every day. Proper information about its history and architecture would make it more appealing,” said Sumi, a visitor from Bogura.
Advocate Indrajit Saha, trustee of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, said removing encroachments around the temple and improving visitor facilities could turn it into a major religious and archaeological tourism destination.
He said the temple was recorded as Dol Mandir in the 1986 CS record and had historical links with the Dol festival.
Ullapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Raihanul Islam said the administration was providing support to visitors and planning initiatives to promote the historic site nationally and internationally.
Surrounded by paddy fields, greenery, an old pond and terracotta designs, Hatikumrul Navaratna Temple represents not only a place of worship but also a valuable symbol of Bengal’s medieval architecture, terracotta art and forgotten zamindari history.
With proper conservation, research, visitor facilities and promotion, the centuries-old monument has the potential to become one of Bangladesh’s important heritage tourism destinations.
