Aerial view of Gokul Medh, Bogura

Gokul Medh

The excavated mound at Gokul Medh has revealed the base of an old shrine that used an innovative construction method to give it more height.

General view of Gokul Medh and present entry pathway to the site. – © Md. Shahriar Omar Sadh

Aerial view of Gokul Medh, Bogura – © Md. Shahriar Omar Sadh

Perspective view of Gokul Medh, Bogura – © Azmaree Afrin

Visitors climbing on the top of the temple, Gokul Medh Bogura – © Maliha Nargis Ahmed

General view of Gokul Medh and present entry pathway to the site. – © Md. Shahriar Omar Sadh

About two kilometres from the ancient citadel of Mahasthangarh, surrounded by rice fields and a small friendly local village, lies Gokul Medh. It is an ancient Hindu temple belonging to Lord Shiva.

Gokul Medh is an excavated mound which revealed a large shrine or Buddhist stupa plinth built in a terraced cellular style of construction This way of building allowed builders to erect sacred buildings to an imposing height. Having important buildings above flood level was particularly useful for the loose soil of Bengal.

Aerial view of sanctum and mandapa of Shiva temple Gokul Medh, Bogura – © Md. Shahriar Omar Sadh

The plinth was built of 172 rectangular cells packed solidly with earth and arranged in gradually rising tiers to support a towering polygonal shrine. The cellular style of terraced construction, consisting of multiple buttress-walls erected side by side to support a central structure on top, is a very significant feature in the architecture of ancient Bengal.

Sanctum of the Shiva temple, Gokul Medh, Bogura. – © Julfiker Ahmed

What you can see today would have just been the base, with a shrine or stupa on top. In the 11th or 12th century, a Shiva temple with a porch would have been erected here instead.

Visit

Gokul Medh

Hours

9am – Sunset

Pricing

International visitor: Tk 100
Bangladesh national: Tk 20