Puthia Temple Complex. Photo : BSS

By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, Sept 21, 2025 (BSS) - Puthia, a small town near Rajshahi, boasts a remarkable collection of Hindu temples and palaces dating back to the 17th century. The town is home to the Puthia Temple Complex and the historical Puthia Rajbari, a treasure trove of architectural and cultural heritage. 

The Puthia Temple Complex 

The complex includes notable structures such as the Pancharatna Gobinda Temple, Bara Ahnik Mandir, Dol Mandir, Shiva Temple, and Jagannath Temple (also known as the Roth Temple). These temples showcase exquisite terracotta sculptures, intricate ornamentation, and a variety of architectural styles.

The Pancharatna Gobinda Temple, with its five towers, is a fine example of Pancha-Ratna architecture, while Bara Ahnik Mandir is an east-facing brick-built temple known for its unique structural style. Dol Mandir, located across an open field from the royal palace, and the Shiva Temple, near the Rajbari complex, are among other important temples.

Many terracotta plaques on the temples depict scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, local life, dances, hunting, and wildlife-including tigers, deer, camels, birds, and a possible extinct rhinoceros. The triple-arched entrance and detailed fa‡ades make these temples some of the finest terracotta examples in Bangladesh.

Puthia Rajbari

The Puthia Rajbari (Palace) was built in 1895 by Maharani Hemanta Kumari. A two-story palace in Indo-Saracenic revival style, it is surrounded by ditches and an open field in front. The palace belonged originally to the first landlord of Puthia, Laskar Khan Nilambar, and was repaired in 1895 by Maharani Hemanta Kumari for her mother-in-law. Its balcony, with multi-colored glass pieces still intact in the windows, reflects the grandeur of the past.

Inside the Rajbari stands the largest Shivling in Bangladesh, which the Pakistani military attempted to remove during the Liberation War, alongside damaging many idols in the compound. The palace and its surrounding temples together form a unique cultural and historical hub.

Visiting Puthia

Puthia is easily accessible, located almost on the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway. The milestone for Puthia is 23 kilometers before reaching Rajshahi. Visitors can take buses, easy bikes, or hire a rickshaw from Natore city, which is about 30 kilometers away, or walk a short distance from the main road to reach the palace complex.

Despite its architectural splendor and historical significance, Puthia remains relatively unknown to many tourists. Its temples with towering spires, intricate terracotta ornamentation, and colonial mansions have the potential to turn the sleepy hamlet into a major tourist destination.

Tourism and Economic Potential

Experts say that the development of tourism in Puthia and the broader Rajshahi division can boost the local economy, create business opportunities, and support small enterprises. Safiuddin Ahmed, former Additional Registrar of Rajshahi University (RU), emphasized that historical, archaeological, and natural sites in the region hold enormous potential for attracting both domestic and international tourists.

Tarek Ali, a sociology student at RU, noted that tourism, if deliberately promoted, can create opportunities in hospitality, transportation, handicrafts, and entertainment, helping to alleviate poverty and improve local livelihoods. He added that coordinated efforts by stakeholders can unlock the region's potential and pave the way for a prosperous future.

Regional director of the Archaeological Department, Dr. Naheed Sultana, said that steps are being taken to expand tourism across 17 monument sites in the region. She noted that the northern region could become a major tourist hub if historical and ancient sites are preserved and properly developed.

Preserving Heritage

With long-term planning, Puthia can reclaim its lost glory as a must-visit historical destination. Protecting and promoting the temples and Rajbari not only safeguards Bangladesh's rich heritage but also offers sustainable cultural and economic benefits to local communities.