National heritage status for Durga temple in Nartiang demanded

Shillong, Sep 3 (UNI) The Central Puja Committee has approached the Centre and Meghalaya government to declare the 500-year- old Durga Temple complex at Nartiang village in the state as a national heritage.

The complex comprises two temples whose present structure is supposed to be at least 500-year-old.

Nartiang, the sleepy hamlet on the Bangladesh border in Jaintia Hills district has more to it than meets the eye. It is simply seeped in legend and history. This quiet village is about 30 km north of Jowai and about 65 km south of Shillong.

Perched on the hills, lie the temples of Durga. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple was earlier connected by a steep tunnel with the River Myntang which flows just below the hill on which the temple stands.

''We want the government to list the Durga temple under the national heritage banner because of its historical importance,'' CPC General Secretary J L Das told UNI here.

The CPC has already renovated the temple, the CPC member said, adding that beautification of all the temples located near Nartiang village is on full swing.

During Durga Puja, this temple draws hundreds of devotees from far and near.

This temple is still looked after by a Brahmin priest who traces his ancestry to the first royal priest brought by the Jaintia Kings from present Bangladesh.

''I do not really know about all this but, I only know my family has been there for about 500 years since the temple was built,'' said Bapon Debsamikko, son the temple priest. He lives in the temple compound with his wife and children. The temple is now managed by the Doloi (traditional chief of Nartiang).

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