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Last vestiges of Jagannath Mandir set for oblivion

DURDANA GHIAS
Last vestiges of the hundredyear-old Jagannath Mandir. one of the oldest temples at Tantibazar, is now at the final stage of its demolition process with the authorities showing utter indifference to its protection.
Walking by the narrow lanes of Tantibazar one will notice the magnificent decorative work of the temple that now stands with only its main entrance.
According to locals, the temple was built by Hariprashanna Dey, Kartik Sen and other elite of the trader community of the area around 150 years ago.
A new building is being constructed inside the temple compound where the old structure has already been pulled down.
According to experts, the two-storey temple was built in late 19th century and is known for its decorative ceramic tiles and moulded tiles.
“The decoration is a hybrid one with the use of chini tikri and ceramics," said Taimur Islam, a conservation architect of Urban Study Group.
The doorway of the temple, at the ground floor level, is flanked by two octagonal columns bearing Corinthian capitals. Cupola or small ornate domes are its important features, he said.
Pilasters, relief work, decorated cornice and parapets, lantern-shaped decoration on domes, lotus-shaped base and bay windows are other significant architectural features of the temple.
" Many of the tiles in the facade have come off the wall and are lost. These moulded tiles can be restored in this country with the help of chini tikri artisans. Then these will have to be replaced selectively,” said Taimur.
"But first we will have to have a detailed documentation and then we will have to replace them selectively." he added.
Babul Das, head of the temple committee, said they are trying their best to save the most decorative frontal facade of the temple but they do not have funds to save it and it looks awkward in front of the new building.
“We know that it is a part of our heritage. But if we are not given any financial assistance from the government then it will not be possible for us to save it," he said.
“At first we decided to keep the facade but the inner sections were demolished to make space because for a long time we are suffering from space problems,” headded.
Babul said that the condition of the temple deteriorated in the last ten years. The thick old walls of the temple developed cracks, the iron pillars eroded and the structure turned quite rickety.
“We covered the cracks in the wall with plaster at some places but it did not work. Besides, the structure became risky for the worshippers. We do not have any other plot to build a new temple so we had to take some decisions to build it anew,” he said.
Taimur Islam said that strong government support and state intervention are needed to save these old decorative temples.
“Many temples in the old Dhaka have been vanished as a result of the negligence from the authorities. For an example, a temple at 11, Tantibazar is now gone. Another temple, Sithi Mandir, at Nayabazar is also gone. So we need strong governmental support," he said.
Officials at the Department of Archaeology said that unless the owners are given compensation it is very difficult for them to save the old structures.