Poet Chandrabati Shiv Mandir, Kacharipara, Kishoreganj, Bangladesh

The Chandraboti Shiv Mondir (Temple) built at Katcharipara about 8 kilometres off Kishoreganj town by Deeja Bongshi Das during the later part of 16th century is still adorned with its artistic structural workmanship which attracts the tourists of different areas.

The century-old temple with unique ornamental design reminisces the life, works and romantic tale of Chandraboti, the first female Bengali poet of 16th century. Her father Deeja Bongshi Das who was a poet and composer of Monosha Mangal Kabbya, Padmapuran, Ramshita, Chandi etc. inspired Chandraboti to compose poems from her childhood. Later she compiled the Ramayana in a distinctive style after Kirthivash Balmiky which was regarded as master work in Bengali literature. She also composed innumerable folk songs which are still sung by the women in rural areas of greater Mymensingh in social festivals.

The pretty Chandraboti at her adolescence developed love with Joyananda, a handsome youth of her village who was also her classmate in childhood. When they got close heart to heart in their dreamy youthful days Deeja Bonshi Das permitted Chandraboti to marry Joyananda fixing a wedding date.

But subsequently Chandraboti came to know that Joyananda had been converted to Islam and married a Muslim girl named Kamala. On being deceived by Joyananda the broken-hearted Chandraboti promised not to marry in life. Deeja Bonshi Das also became purturbed at this gloomy stage of Chandraboti. He then constructed a Shiv Mondir on the bank of the river Fuleshwari with the financial aid of his disciples and adviced Chandraboti to worship in the Mondir and compile the Ramayana. The temple was later known as Chandraboti Shiv Mondir.

Joyananda later came back to woo Chandraboti but she did not respond. The disappointed Joyananda then wrote a poem on the wall of the Shiv Mondir with the juice of Shandyaa Maloti flowers seeking apology to her. Joyananda later jumped into the river Fuleshwari and sacrificed his life.

Chandraboti become overwhelmed with emotion when she saw the lines of the poem on the wall of the mondir and moved at once to Joyananda in vain. Chandraboti died after some years in the mondir in her self-confinement.

The people still express their deep sorrow at the tragic end of the life and romance of the poet Chandraboti when they visit the mondir.