400 Years of Dhaka

Walking by the narrow lanes of Tantibazar one will see a small wooden door almost hidden in the midst of congested buildings.

On entering the premises the visitor will be greeted by an exquisitely ornate temple standing at the centre of a small plot.

This Radha Ballabh Mandir is another richly ornate temple at Tantibazar that faces the risk of losing its surface decoration, said experts.

The decorative staircase of the temple leads to its veranda and then to a simple chamber for worship on the first floor. It has a store at the ground floor level now used for residential purposes.

The unique features of the 300-year old temple have turned it into an exquisite gem ensconced in the traditional architectural fabric of Tantibazar.

"We are celebrating 400 years of Dhaka with much enthusiasm and colour when our heritage sites are getting tattered just in front of our eyes," remarked an elderly local.

According to conservation architects, the temple bears the architectural characteristics of the 19th century period of aestheticism movement.

"In the decorations we can see a blend of ceramics and chini-tikri. Regular geometrical patterns and lightweight ceramics were used in the designs," said Taimur Islam, a conservation architect of Urban Study Group.

Surface relief, raised platform, projected floral motifs, ornamental grills, cluster columns, concentric arches, decorative pediment, and cartouches are some of the important features of the temple, he said.

"But the most distinctive feature is the decorative iron works in the risers between the stairs," he added.

Taimur said the temple has no structural problem but all its deterioration is in the surface level. The delicate works of the temple are at risk of ruination because of lack of proper care.

"Restoration works will be possible if we have the detailed documentation of the temple and technological know-how of the chini-tikri and the ceramic works and if we can collect enough funds for the job," said Taimur.

The family, known as the traditional caretaker and owner of the temple, now lives in two rooms inside the compound without any basic urban facilities. The family is looking after the temple for seven generations.

According to the caretakers, their forefathers Bala Hari Roy and Madan Mohan Roy built the temple around 300 years ago.

Today they are living without any electricity connection, any supply of gas and water and without any sewage system inside the temple compound.

“Our electricity line was cut because we did not have the money to pay the bills and we have to use the water of this well,” said Bina Roy, a member of the family, showing a small old well half-filled with unclean water.

"Our two tenants left without paying the rent. Now our only source of income is one tenant and a shop inside our compound from which we get only Tk 1,000," said Bina's daughter Basanti Roy.

"A group of local influential people are creating pressure on us to leave the temple because it is a nice place for commercial purposes," she alleged.