Unseen Bangladesh
Rajshahi District · Rajshahi Division · পুঠিয়া মন্দির কমপ্লেক্স
Puthia Temple Complex travel guide
Puthia Rajbari and the largest group of terracotta temples, including the Shiva Temple and Govinda Temple.
At a glance
- Royal family
- Puthia (from the 17th century)
- Rajbari
- 1895, Maharani Hemanta Kumari Devi
- Temples
- About 20 old temples
- Location
- 30 km east of Rajshahi
History and details
The Puthia royal family is said to have been founded in the 17th century by descendants of a holy man called Batsacharya; they received the title 'Raja' from the Mughal emperor Jahangir. The zamindari was later split between the 'five-anna' and 'four-anna' branches.
In 1895 Maharani Hemanta Kumari Devi built the two-storey rajbari (the Panchani Rajbari) in Indo-European style in honour of her mother-in-law, Maharani Sharatsundari Devi. Around it are several ponds, including Shivsagar and Gopalchouki.
Around the rajbari is the largest group of old temples in Bangladesh — the huge five-spired Bara Shiva Temple (Bhubaneshwar Temple) built by Rani Bhubanmoyi Devi in 1823, the terracotta-covered Govinda Temple, the Dolmancha, and the Jagannath and Bara Ahnik temples. The terracotta plaques showing scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Krishna's life are remarkable.
Things to do
- Photograph the big Shiva Temple's reflection from the Shivsagar bank
- Look closely at the Govinda Temple's terracotta
- See the front of the Panchani Rajbari
- Climb the Dolmancha and look around
How to get to Puthia Temple Complex
About 30 km from Rajshahi; by Natore-bound bus.
Rajshahi is about 250 km from Dhaka; the journey takes 5–6 hours.
- 🚌 By bus: Green Line, Hanif, Desh Travels, National from Gabtoli; non-AC ৳650–800, AC ৳1,200–1,600.
- 🚆 By train: Silk City, Padma, Dhumketu, Banalata Express from Kamalapur; fare ৳350–1,100.
- ✈️ By air: Biman and US-Bangla (Shah Makhdum Airport); one way ৳3,500–5,500.
Where to stay
- Parjatan Motel Rajshahi
- Hotel X Rajshahi (luxury)
- Mid-range hotels in town (৳1,200–3,000)
What to eat
Kalai roti, mangoes (June–July), Rajshahi silk saris
Good to know
- Photograph the big Shiva Temple's reflection from the bank of Shivsagar pond
- Can be visited on the way from Rajshahi to Natore
More to see nearby
- Rajshahi city (30 km)
- Natore Rajbari (20 km)
- Uttara Ganabhaban (25 km)
More places to visit in Rajshahi district
- Varendra Research Museum — The country's first museum, founded in 1910; superb sculptures from the Pala-Sena era.
- Padma Garden and T-Bandh — The paved bank of the Padma; sunsets and boat trips to the char.
- Bagha Mosque — A Sultanate mosque from 1523; terracotta decoration, it was on the old 50-taka note.
- Shrine of Hazrat Shah Makhdum (R.) — Rajshahi's main shrine, on the Padma bank.