Dhakeshwari
National Temple (Ðhakeshshori Jatio Mondir) is a Hindu
temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is state-owned, giving it the distinction of
being Bangladesh's 'National Temple'. The name "Dhakeshwari" (Ðhakeshshori)
means "Goddess of Dhaka". Since the destruction of Ramna Kali Mandir
in 1971 by the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War, the
Dhakeshwari Temple has assumed status as the most important Hindu place of
worship in Bangladesh.
History
The
Dhakeshwari temple was built in the 12th century by Ballal Sen, a king of the Sena
dynasty, and many say the name of the city was coined after this temple. The
current architectural style of the temple cannot be dated to that period
because of numerous repairs, renovations and rebuilding that took place over
time. It is considered an essential part of Dhaka's cultural heritage. Many
researchers say that the temple is also one of the Shakti Peethas, where the jewel
from the crown of the Goddess had fallen. Although there is not enough
historical contexts in order to establish this as a fact, researchers were
directed to this site while trying to locate the particular Shakti Peetha.
Since ages, the temple has been held in great importance. The original 800-year
old statue was destroyed during the 1971 War of Independence by the invading
Pakistani army. The temple was further damaged during the Muslim mob attacks of
1989–90.Location and structure
The temple is
located in Old Dhaka, behind the campus of Bangladesh University of Engineering
and Technology, on Orphanage Road near Bakshi Bazar area. There is a permanent altar
outside the main temple premises. It hosts the Annual Puja (worship) of Goddess
Durga, the greatest Bengali Hindu festival held in October. Inside the main
temple premises, there are four identical structures devoted to Lord Shiva. To
the east of these is the main temple, which hosts the statue of the Goddess.
Declaration as National Temple of Bangladesh
In 1996,
Dhakeshwari Temple was renamed Dhakeshwari Jatiya Mandir (National Temple)
reflecting its position as the center of Hindu culture and worship in
Bangladesh. This was the culmination of a major campaign by Bangladeshi Hindu
groups who had been demanding official recognition for the primary Hindu place
of worship following the declaration of Islam as the state religion in 1988. As
a result, the flag of Bangladesh is hoisted every morning outside the main
temple premises, and it follows the National Flag Code rules such as rendering half-mast
on nationally declared days of mourning. As is the
practice in other leading religious places of worship in Bangladesh, day-long
prayers are common practice during important national holidays such as
Independence Day, Language Martyrs' Day, Victory Day and birth and death
anniversaries of former leaders such as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman.
Religious and socio-cultural activities
Dhakeshwari
Temple is a hub of socio-cultural as well as religious activity. Each year, the
largest celebration of Durga Puja (the most important event in the Bengali
Hindu calendar) in Dhaka is held at the National Temple, and a stream of
dignitaries (such as the Bangladeshi President, Prime Minister, Leader of
Opposition, Members of Parliament and media celebrities) come to felicitate the
Bangladeshi Hindu community from the temple premises. Several thousand
worshippers and onlookers (including Muslims) stream through the premises where
they are offered prasad (food - usually rice and lentils). A Bijaya
Sammelani (cultural program following Durga Puja) takes place in the
adjoining parade ground a few days after Durga Puja is complete, and is also a
major cultural event in the Dhaka calendar, regularly attracting some of the
top performers from the Dhaka music and film industry.
One of the most
important events of the year is the Janmashthami procession which starts from
Dhakeshwari temple and then proceeds through the streets of Old Dhaka; this
occurs on the day of the Lord Krishna's birthday, which is also a national
holiday in Bangladesh and second only to Durga Puja in importance in the
Bengali Hindu calendar. The procession dates back to 1902 but was stopped in
1948 following the establishment of Pakistan and subsequent attacks by Muslim
mobs in Dhaka. The procession was resumed in 1989.
Concerts and
charity drives (such as flood relief) are also a regular fixture within the
temple throughout the year. Each year, Dhakeshwari Temple hosts major blood
drives and inoculation programs which are open to all residents of Dhaka city.
