Kantojeeu Temple

A chariot-like ornamental temple, on a high plinth was constructed & completed by two Moharajas ie. Moharaja Pran Nath of Dinajpur first started construction work in 1722 AD. & later on after his death the very construction was completed in 1752 AD. By Moharaja Ram Nath, the adopted son of Moharaja Pran Nath in an island-like village Kantonogor, about 20km north of Dinajpur Town. The 52 feet squire magnificent & spectacular temple in the late mediaeval age is really the wonder in the architecture even in the modern age too. The characteristics of Kantojeeu Temple are as follows; the temple is through & through designed with exquisite Terracotta plaques. It is a squire shaped three storied building constructed on a high plinth. The receding terraces gave the temple a little bit pyramidal shape. The arched openings of the temple on all four sides were provided the visitors or devotees with viewing the deity that is placed inside from all directions. The temple is decorated top to bottom with terracotta plaques. Most of the plaques depict the history of the Mohabharot & the contemporary social scene & the favorite past time aristocracy of the land & only one horizontal panel shows us the social life of mediaeval aristocrats. The vertical panels portray the ten incarnations of Bishnu according to the Hindu mythology. The local people still perform religious & ritual in this temple. Beside these, religious festival like Snanjatra, Doljatra, Rashmela etc are held regularly by the temple authorities on the stipulated days mentioned in the calendar followed by the Hindus.