Aranyapur Pancharatna Temple: A Study of its Archaeological and Historical Significance in Cumilla, Bangladesh

Ratna style temple architecture flourished in the Bengal Delta from the mid-17th century to the 19th century. Although there is a clear distinction between the Ratna style temples and the ancient Bengal temples built in the North Indian Nagara and South Indian Dravidian styles, a careful analysis of the architectural structure of the Ratna temples reveals influences from both North and South Indian temple architecture. The incorporation of Indo-Islamic architectural features into Ratna temples, as seen in other contemporary structures like mosques, palaces, and forts, has given this style its uniqueness. This style of temple construction is not found elsewhere in the Indian subcontinent, except in the Bengal region. Among the various Ratna styles, the Pancharatna temple architecture is the most prevalent. The aim of this study is to review the origin and development of the Ratna style temple in Bengal and to provide a brief insight into the amalgamation of various architectural styles in the Pancharatna temples across Bengal by examining the architectural features of the Aranyapur Pancharatna temple in Cumilla. Through field surveys and photographic data analysis, the researcher has identified the architectural characteristics of the Ratna style, including Indo-Islamic and European influences, as well as the indigenous Chala style of Bengal. Additionally, other features of the aforementioned temple, such as its octagonal shape, sanctum sanctorum, arched circumambulatory path, three entrances on three sides, and the curved cornice of the central Ratna, have been compared with those of other Pancharatna temples in Bengal.