Sunamganj, Bangladesh — October 22, 2025
A 200-year-old Kali Temple nestled on the banks of the Mahishkhala River in Mahishkhala Bazar, Banshikanda North Union of Madhyanagar Upazila, Sunamganj, is facing imminent danger of collapse due to severe riverbank erosion.
The temple, a sacred site for both indigenous and Bengali Hindu communities, is protected by a guide wall that has now tilted and cracked, leaving the structure vulnerable to the powerful runoff from the Meghalaya mountain range.
A Sacred Site on the Brink
The Kali Temple, revered for its historical and spiritual significance, has stood as a symbol of devotion and cultural heritage for two centuries. Every year, on the first Saturday of the Bengali month of Falgun, thousands of devotees gather for the annual puja and fair, offering sacrifices of goats, pigeons, ducks, and chickens to honor the deity. The event draws worshippers from across Sunamganj and neighboring districts, reinforcing the temple’s role as a spiritual and communal hub.
However, the temple’s future is now uncertain. The guide wall, constructed in the 2009–2010 fiscal year with government funding, was meant to shield the temple from the river’s encroachment. Over time, the wall has deteriorated, tilting dangerously and developing cracks that threaten its structural integrity. Locals fear that without immediate intervention, the temple could be swept away by the forceful currents of the Mahishkhala River, which channels runoff from the Meghalaya hills in India.
Voices of Concern
Nid Kumar Banai, a young entrepreneur from the indigenous Banai community, expressed deep concern, “The guide wall has tilted and developed cracks; it could be washed into the Mahishkhala River by the current of the runoff at any time. The guide wall needs to be rebuilt urgently.”
Nur Nabi Talukder, Chairman of Banshikanda North Union, echoed the urgency, “Due to the severe tilting of the guide wall, the main structure of the historic Kali Temple is at risk. I strongly demand the concerned authorities take immediate necessary action regarding this matter.”
Ujjal Roy, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Madhyanagar, assured that the administration is taking steps,“After discussing this matter with the concerned Union Parishad Chairman, immediate measures will be taken by the upazila administration to rebuild the guide wall.”
A Wider Pattern of Erosion
The threat to the Mahishkhala Kali Temple is part of a broader pattern of riverbank erosion affecting Sunamganj. Similar concerns have been raised about the Surma River, where erosion has endangered vital infrastructure like the Chatak-Andhariganj-Sunamganj road United News of Bangladesh. The region’s vulnerability to monsoon-fed runoff and inadequate protective infrastructure has placed both heritage sites and livelihoods at risk.
Preserving Cultural Heritage
The potential loss of the Mahishkhala Kali Temple would not only be a blow to the local Hindu community but also to Bangladesh’s rich tapestry of religious and cultural heritage. Temples like this one serve as living monuments, connecting generations through rituals, festivals, and shared history.
As erosion continues to threaten sacred and historical sites across the country, the call for sustainable infrastructure and proactive preservation grows louder. For the devotees of Mahishkhala, the hope is that swift action will save their temple before it becomes another casualty of nature’s relentless force.
