Although claws of time and nature have withered most of the red terracotta plaques on the 400-year-old temple, its shape and structure still stand testimony to the rich legacy of the archaeological site at Mathurapur village in Madhukhali, about 40 kilometres off Faridpur district headquarters.

Ample artworks depicting Hindu god and goddess and mythological war and fights on this 70-foot-high 'Deul' and its four gates are on the verge of total ruin.

The condition of the middle part of the temple is worse than the lower part. Cracks have developed at several points and weeds have also sprouted at the top of the Deul, destroying its ornamental beauty.

The monument stands unprotected as there is no boundary wall to its back. Local people can easily enter the premises of the temple and cattle are also seen grazing around the monument.

According to historical records, Mathurapur Deul was built in the early 16th century and its name has been derived from the name of the village Mathurapur.

There are various legends associated with this monument.

According to some historians, a fierce battle took place between Zaminder Mukunda Ram Roy's son Chhatrajit Roy and the Mughals over the occupation of Bhushana, a pargana of the then Fatehabad (Faridpur district of present time). The Mughal won the battle and they raised the monument to mark the glorious victory.

Talking to The Daily Star over phone, Mosharraf Hossain, deputy director (publication) of Archaeology Department in Dhaka, said it's an ancient Hindu temple, not a victory memorial. But it is not known who built it.

However, the shape and size of bricks and quality of materials used in building the temple suggest that it was built in the early stage of 16th century i.e. during the Mughal period, he said.

When contacted over phone, Zakir Hossain, sub-assistant engineer of the Archaeology Department in Dhaka, said the government has already taken an initiative to renovate the temple and that preservation work was carried out in 2000 at a cost of Tk 2.5 lakh.

He also said that boundary wall could not be constructed to the back of the temple due to a demarcation dispute between the Archaeology Department and local people.

However, the boundary wall will be built within a very short time as the dispute has already been settled, he added.