Narail Govinda Temple – Bangladesh

Address

Narail Govinda Temple – Bangladesh

Kotakol village, Narail district,

Bangladesh

Moolavar

Krishna

Introduction

The temple is situated in the village of Kotakol, Lakshmipasha in the Narail District. The temple was built in the 18th century by Ramachandra Chaklanabish, a Brahmin local elite and landowner. Govinda Temple, locally known as Gobindo Debar Chaklanabish Jor-Bangla mandir, is one of the ten Jor-Bangla temples situated in Bangladesh.

Puranic Significance

The temple consists of two adjoining Do-Chala hut type of brick-built structure on a single platform which gives the appearance of the letter ‘M’ if seen from the side. It’s a medium-sized Jor-Bangla temple measuring 14’-10” X 16’-5” X 14’-6”. It has a triple-arched entrance to the Mandapa and a single arched entrance to the Garbhagriha. Garbagriha has a door on its eastern wall for the priest to enter and on the western wall; there is a wooden framed window. Kiln burnt bricks have been used with the mortar for cementing for the construction of the temple.

The facade of the temple is decorated with terracotta plaques. Terracotta bricks are used to cover the front and three other side’s walls are simple plaster covered. The entire front facade is ornamented with terracotta moldings. Like the most 18th centuries temples, this temple was dedicated to Lord Krishna. As a result, scenes from epics and iconography associated with Vaishnavism have been used for temple decoration. Without that where the frieze begins has a peacock on a terracotta plaque. Moreover, two-horse figures are seen on the spandrel of the left and the right arch facing each other and they are separated with Purna Kalasha. In recent years for the lack of proper maintenance and vegetation growth of saplings of tree posing a serious threat to the structure.