Mahilara Sarkar Math

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Mahilara Sarkar Math
সরকার মঠ, Sarkar bari Math, Radha-Krishna Math, Bakla math, “helano math” and “the leaning Tower of Mahilara”
সরকার মঠ 5.jpg
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusHindu temple
OwnershipDepartment of Archaeology
Year consecrated18th century
Statusprotected
Location
LocationGournadi, Barisal District
CountryBangladesh
Geographic coordinates22°55′25.3″N 90°14′45.4″E / 22.923694°N 90.245944°E / 22.923694; 90.245944Coordinates: 22°55′25.3″N 90°14′45.4″E / 22.923694°N 90.245944°E / 22.923694; 90.245944
Architecture
StyleShikhara
FounderSarkar Rup Ram Das Gupta, a local influential man
elevation and plan study of Mahilara

Mahilara Sarkar Math is an ancient Hindu temple and archaeological site located in Barisal District of Bangladesh.[1] It is located in the Mahilara village under Gournadi Upazila.[2] It was built by a local influential man named Rupram Das Gupta during the reign of Alivardi Khan.[2] The Shikhara style monument is now protected by the Department of Archaeology and classified as an 'archaeological monument'.[3][4]

Background[]

It is a 200 years old lofty temple, built between 1740 and 1756 AD, during the reign of Nawab Alivardi Khan, Bangla Nawab Era, in the 18th century. built with the initial purpose of housing Lord Shiva. The monastery is undoubtedly a masterpiece of Shikhara temple art. This high monastery is similar to the Pisa Tower in Italy. It seems to have a slight tilt due to the construction style and possibly due to all the blows that this temple has endured over the decades. It was attacked several times, during the 1971 war and then some more by local anti-Hindu terrorists. Even after all the exploding ammunition, the beaten temple kept standing.[2][1]

Physical features[]

  • The Math is an octagonal spire type math with repeated curved cornice.
  • A masterpiece of Shikhar temple art.
  • Built on a square base, over one or two drums or most commonly above an octagonal lower structure.
  • Lower structure is accompanied by four or more miniature spired turrets at the corner appearing as "panch-ratna" or "Navaratnam" pattern Influenced style.
  • The monastery is south facing.
  • The pointed spire of the math rises to a height of about 27.43m above 3.84m high octagonal base.
  • Each arm of the octagon measures 1,9m in the lower part and climbs up to 6.2m from the bottom.
  • The math Is leaning slightly to the south at an awkward angle of roughly 5.5 degrees.
  • No inscription has been found on the temple.
  • The tapered part is ornamented with several bow-shaped cornice decorations, ending in a peak, which are the main attraction of the math.
  • There is a small room, where the idols are established inside the temple, with an entrance on the west wall.
  • The panel of the segmental arch over the entrance has numerous geometric designs, which is also on the other side of the math.
  • The octagonal shaft up to the cornice is divided into several panels.
  • The interior of the temple is adorned with images of Radha-Krishna.

[4][2]

Distinctive and significant features[]

  • The repeated Bow-shaped cornice decorations are the main attraction of this Shikhara (peaked) Temple Art.
  • Probably built under the influence of European church architecture, when the octagonal spire came into vogue and assumed a variety of terracotta patterns.
  • It is built on a square base, over one or two drums or most commonly above an octagonal lower structure, and accompanied by four or more miniature spired turrets at the corner appearing as panch-ratna or nava-ratna pattern Influenced style. There are only 8 documented temples in Bangladesh with similar architectural styles.
  • This unique example of spired or peaked temple architecture is mostly notable for its leaning feature and thus, compared to Italy's leaning Tower of Pisa.
  • In this whole Indian subcontinent, there are only 3 tilted Mandirs and only one is in Bangladesh. Thus, it brings major significance to the structure.
  • The wonderful decorations give the temple an eye-catching look and a notable heritage value.

[4][3][2][1]

Building materials and techniques[]

Brick, stucco, Terracotta patterns. Brick walls with cement-based mortar, stucco plaster masonry and stucco roofing.[4]

Management[]

It is protected by the Department of Archaeology (DOA) and classified as an 'archaeological monument' and GOB.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Mahilara Memorial Temple". The Independent. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e পুরাকীর্তির সংক্ষিপ্ত বর্ণনা. barisaldiv.gov.bd (in Bengali). Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  3. ^ a b প্রত্নতত্ত্ব অধিদপ্তর. archaeology.gov.bd (in Bengali). Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e Selected Hindu temples of Bangladesh. UNESCO Dhaka. 2005. p. 85. ISBN 984-32-1778-0. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
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