National Hindu Temple of Bangladesh ঢাকেশ্বরী জাতীয় মন্দির

Dhakeshwari National Temple

The Sacred Heart of Hindu Heritage in Bangladesh — eternal abode of Devi Dhakeshwari, the Goddess after whom Dhaka itself is named.

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Dhakeshwari National Temple historic facade in Old Dhaka

An Eternal Sanctuary

The Goddess who gave Dhaka its name

Dhakeshwari National Temple — known in Bengali as ঢাকেশ্বরী জাতীয় মন্দির — is the most revered Hindu shrine in Bangladesh and the singular site officially recognised as the country's National Temple. Standing in the historic precincts of Old Dhaka, the temple is dedicated to Devi Dhakeshwari, the divine guardian of the city.

Tradition holds that the very name Dhaka is derived from the Goddess herself — making this sanctuary not merely a place of worship, but the living origin of Bangladesh's capital. Centuries of devotion, resilience, and cultural identity converge at this sacred threshold.

Today, Dhakeshwari stands as a national landmark of plural heritage — a luminous reminder that faith, harmony, and civilisational continuity remain inseparable from the soul of Bangladesh.

800+

Years of Devotion

1996

National Temple Status

1

Goddess. One Nation.

A Singular Distinction

Why Dhakeshwari is Bangladesh's National Temple

An honour without parallel in the Muslim-majority world — a Hindu temple elevated to national status, embodying the pluralism, dignity, and shared civilisational memory of Bangladesh.

National Recognition

Officially declared the National Temple of Bangladesh in 1996 — the only Hindu temple worldwide to hold national status in a Muslim-majority republic.

Origin of a Capital

The very name Dhaka is traced to Dhakeshwari. The temple is therefore the cultural and toponymic source of the nation's capital itself.

Sacred 51 Shakti Peeth

Revered within the lineage of the 51 sacred Shakti Peeths of South Asia, drawing pilgrims, scholars, and seekers from across the subcontinent.

Resilience & Harmony

A living testament to the Hindu community's enduring presence and Bangladesh's commitment to plural, harmonious cultural identity.

Civilisational Crossroad

A meeting point of Old Dhaka's Mughal, Sultanate, and indigenous traditions — anchoring centuries of architectural and devotional layers.

National Celebrations

Host to Bangladesh's largest Durga Puja celebrations — observed by Heads of State, diplomats, and devotees from every corner of the world.

Old Dhaka Heritage

Where the Old Capital still breathes

Set within the labyrinth of Old Dhaka — a cityscape of Mughal mosques, Armenian arcades, Hindu enclaves, and centuries-old courtyards — Dhakeshwari Temple is the spiritual nucleus of an unbroken urban memory.

Around it pulse Shankhari Bazaar, Tara Masjid, the Buriganga riverfront, and rickshaw-painted lanes — a living museum of pluralism in the heart of the nation.

Within minutes of Lalbagh Fort & Buriganga River
Heart of Shankhari Bazaar — Bengal's oldest Hindu lane
UNESCO heritage zones within walking distance
Custodian of Bangladesh's plural civilisational memory

Sacred Calendar

Festivals & Celebrations

From the resplendent grandeur of Durga Puja to the hush of dawn aarti — the temple's calendar is a continuous prayer.

National

Durga Puja

Bangladesh's largest annual celebration of the Mother Goddess

Dhakeshwari deity sculpting at Kumartuli

Autumn

Janmashtami

Birth of Lord Krishna observed with night-long vigils

Spring

Saraswati Puja

The festival of learning, art and creative grace

Festive

Diwali & Kali Puja

Festival of lights, devotion, and sacred energy

Sacred Frames

A glimpse of divinity

Architecture, ritual, and devotion — captured in moments of timeless reverence.

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Stewardship

Cultural & Heritage Leadership

Leaders championing Dhakeshwari's revitalisation as a beacon of plural heritage and Indo-BIMSTEC civilisational dialogue.

Cultural & Heritage Ambassador

Digant Sharma

Entrepreneur · Social Architect · Co-Founder, Bangladesh Cultural Heritage Trust.

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BIMSTEC Cultural Affairs

Rahul Laxman Patil

Track-II Diplomacy Strategist · Civilisational Dialogue · Indo-BIMSTEC Integration.

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Voices of Devotion

Pilgrim reflections

To kneel at Dhakeshwari is to touch the very soul of Bangladesh. Here, the Goddess who named our city still listens to every whispered prayer.

Dr. Suman ChakrabortyHeritage Scholar · Dhaka University

No temple in South Asia carries this singular dignity — a Hindu shrine raised to national status by a sovereign Muslim-majority nation. It is a lesson in civilisational grace.

Mira RahmanCultural Journalist · BIMSTEC Forum

For four generations my family has come to Dhakeshwari for the Mother's blessings. The lamps still glow. The bells still ring. Dhaka remains hers.

Anil DasDevotee · Old Dhaka