Hindu temple, Cox's Bazar
Adinath Temple, Maheshkhaliআদিনাথ মন্দির, মহেশখালী
- Time needed
- Half a day with the boat.
- best months
- Nov–Mar
- Cost
- Boat fare only; donations at the temple.
The Shiva temple on Mainak hill on Maheshkhali island, a short boat ride from town: a long stair up, the Bay and the mangroves below, and a big fair at Shiva Chaturdashi.
At a glance
- Fair
- Shiva Chaturdashi, February–March
About
Maheshkhali is the hilly island across the channel from Cox's Bazar, and Adinath is its temple: a shrine to Shiva as Adinath on the top of Mainak hill, reached by a long stair from the Gorakghata side. The present buildings are from the 19th century; the pilgrimage is older. From the top the view takes in the salt pans, the mangrove channels and the open Bay.
The Shiva Chaturdashi fair in February or March brings tens of thousands across by boat for a fortnight. A Buddhist monastery and the betel-leaf farms the island is known for are on the way up.
Getting there: Speedboats from the Kasturi ghat (6 No. ghat) in town cross in 15–20 minutes, then a CNG or rickshaw to the stair.
Things to do
- Climb at sunrise before the heat and the crowd.
Good to know
- Dress modestly and remove shoes at the shrine.
