Dhakeshwari Temple travel guide

History and background

It is said to have been built in the 12th century by King Ballal Sen of the Sena dynasty. Many believe the city of Dhaka is named after 'Dhakeshwari', the presiding goddess of Dhaka. It is the national temple of Bangladesh.

How to get to Dhakeshwari Temple

In the Palashi-Bakshibazar area; close to Lalbagh Fort.

Where to stay

• Pan Pacific Sonargaon and InterContinental Dhaka (luxury)
• Plenty of mid-range hotels in Gulshan-Banani, Paltan and Farmgate (৳2,000–6,000)

What to eat

Old Dhaka kacchi biryani, Haji's biryani, bakarkhani, borhani, Nanna Mia's morog polao

Good to know

• Take your shoes off in the main temple
• Very crowded during the pujas

More places to visit in Dhaka district

• Lalbagh Fort — An unfinished fort begun in 1678 under the Mughal subahdar Prince Azam Shah. Inside are Pari Bibi's tomb, an audience hall and a mosque.
• Ahsan Manzil — The pink palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka on the Buriganga, now a museum. You can see furniture and pictures from the Nawabs' time.
• National Parliament House — World-famous modern architecture designed by Louis Kahn. The lake around it and Chandrima Udyan are lovely for an afternoon stroll.
• Hatirjheel — A lake, bridges and walkways in the middle of the city. Evening lights and water taxis are popular.
• National Museum — The country's largest museum; huge collections of archaeology, history, the Liberation War and folk art.
• Star Mosque — A beautiful 18th-century mosque decorated with star patterns in broken china.
• Armenian Church — The Armenians' church, built in 1781, witness to Old Dhaka's multi-ethnic history.
• Liberation War Museum — A modern museum of documents, photos and relics of the 1971 Liberation War.

Location on the map