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A centuries-old Shiva temple in Balarhat village, Kurigram, Bangladesh, is suffering irreparable damage to its priceless terracotta artwork. Despite being declared a protected archaeological monument by the Department of Archaeology (DoA) in April 2019, local residents and the temple management committee claim they were never notified of this status. Consequently, unplanned renovations by locals have inadvertently covered and damaged the temple's ancient ornamentation.

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Had we known it was a protected monument, we certainly would not have undertaken any renovation on our own.

The roughly 30-foot-high temple, built by Zamindar Bahadur Shiv Prasad Bakshi, has been a significant site for Shiva worship since the zamindari era. Its terracotta panels are considered valuable examples of historical regional craftsmanship. However, without official supervision or government signage, locals have repeatedly plastered and repainted the structure in an effort to preserve it, inadvertently harming its intricate artwork.

Temple caretaker Suresh Chandra Roy and management committee president Sushil Chandra Roy stated they were aware of a proposal for protection years ago but were unaware it had been officially gazetted. They expressed that had they known the temple's protected status, they would not have undertaken renovations independently. An 80-year-old devotee, Nirmal Chandra Barman, emphasized the urgency of preserving the temple's heritage, noting the gradual disappearance of its unique terracotta motifs and archaeological designs.

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The terracotta motifs and archaeological designs on its walls are gradually disappearing. Preserving this heritage is now essential.

Abu Sayeed Enam Tanvirul, a field officer with the DoA's Rangpur divisional office, confirmed the temple's protected status. He acknowledged that a DoA signboard should have been installed and that no work should occur without departmental approval. The department is now planning an inspection, aiming to install the necessary signage, enhance conservation efforts, and engage with the temple management and local community to ensure the historic structure's preservation.

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He said no work can be carried out on a protected monument without the department's approval and acknowledged that a DoA signboard should have been installed.