Precious artworks in a state of ruination in northern districts

(Clockwise: from top-left) Terracotta works on the Kantaji Temple, a temple in Puthia and the Paharpur site on the verge of ruination due to lack of proper maintenance.Photo: STARHasibur Rahman Bilu, Bogra

Objets d'art of various dynasties are being damaged in several protected archaeological sites, including Paharpur Buddhist Monastery in Naogaon.

Officials of the Department of Archaeology pointed out that many terracotta items of the Paharpur Monastery have been ruined due to reasons such as inadequate maintenance, high soil salinity, heavy rainfall and lack of awareness.

The Mahavihara or monastery, commissioned by King Dharma Pal, dates back to 770-810 century AD, and was declared a World Heritage Site in the year 1985.

Former Assistant Custodian of Paharpur site, Mohammad Mahabub-Ul-Alam said that as many as 2,305 terracotta plaques were found in 2004 at the site. Of these 595 terracotta sculptures were completely damaged.

Some elaborately decorated temples at Puthia in Rajshahi have lost their splendour due to the ruination of terracotta plaques, sculptures and other artworks.

Arts of 13 temples and the Puthia Palace at the protected site have been completely damaged because of inadequate maintenance as well as the locals' lack of awareness. The site was declared 'protected' in 1975.

A huge number of decorated terracotta items in the lower parts of Kantaji Temple in Dinajpur district are damaged as well. The temple dates back to 1722-1752 AD and the Department of Archaeology declared it as a protected site in the year 1960.

Several hundred sculptures belonging to various dynasties are being ruined in the northern districts of Chapainawabganj, Pabna, Sirajganj, Bogra and Dinajpur.