CHANCHRA SHIVA TEMPLE. JESSORE

This Mughal period temple, said to have been constructed in 1729, betrays a remarkable level of renovation by the Archaeology Dept of Bangladesh.

The wonderfully detailed terracotta facing tiles have been produced locally, no doubt by the descendants of the original makers, to entirely restore the front of the temple to a pristine condition. The states of repair of the other three sides, however, do make you wonder why they went to so much trouble with the front. It remains in extraordinary condition, although, given an unfortunate history of occasional attacks on Hindu temples in the area it may well be that it was earlier defaced.

Certainly, there is no longer a Lingam in position, and the Muslim guardian unfortunately treats this once sacred Hindu place of reverence with a high degree of irreverence.

Before partition time, in 1947, the area is said to have been predominantly Hindu by persuasion, despite the endeavours of some of the Mughal rulers to adjust the balance.

But whatever the history, this temple, which stands tall right beside the road from Khulna to Jessore, is an extraordinary piece of conservation of the history and traditions of the land.