Dhakeshwari Temple

Visit the temple to learn about the Hindu community in Dhaka and to see its mix of architectural styles. You'll find a mishmash due to the temple's many remodels and reconstructions—particularly destruction from the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Many private city tours include a stop at the temple, and most include transportation and the services of a guide who can help explain the temple’s historical and contemporary significance.

• The temple attracts travelers interested in spirituality and architecture.

• You will need to remove your shoes before entering the temple.

• As this is a religious site, visit wearing modest dress, with shoulders and knees covered.

The Dhakeshwari Temple is located in Old Dhaka and is easy to get to by autorickshaw or taxi. Tours to the temple usually include transportation. If you're coming from Lalbagh Fort, you can walk to the temple in less than 10 minutes.

The temple is open daily throughout the year. As with many Hindu temples, it opens in the morning, closes for a few hours around lunch, reopens in the afternoon, and stays open through early evening. To see the temple at its liveliest, visit in autumn for the annual Durga Puja celebration when locals revere the goddess through cultural programs and processions.

Many visitors to the Dhakeshwari Temple also stop at Lalbagh Fort (Fort Aurangabad), about a 10-minute walk. This 17th-century palace offers visitors a glimpse of beautifully preserved Mughal architecture and design, complete with symmetrical gardens adorned with reflecting pools. The fort also houses a museum filled with centuries-old artifacts.