The Bharat Raja Deul in Jessore Day Tour

Bharat Raja Deul

How to Visit the Antiquity Bharat Raja Deul?

Maybe many people know about Bharat Raja's Deul or Bharat Vaina! This is one of the oldest examples of wonder. Although it is 1800 years old, this ancient pattern still arouses curiosity in the minds of visitors. Tourists always flock there to see the Deul of Bharat Raja.

This pattern is also known as Bharat Vaina or Bharat's Deul Dhibi. It is 50 feet long and 900 by 900 feet in diameter. It is an archaeological site in the Jessore district in the southwest of the country. This ancient pattern can be seen by visiting Bharat Vaina village located in the Gaurighona union of Keshabpur Upazila.

It is known that a king named Bharat built this structure 1600 years ago to commemorate his reign. The river Buribhadra flows through its eastern side. The village of Bharat Vaina is located about 400 meters west of the right bank of this river.

Archaeologists have studied the brick and terracotta statues used in this ancient pattern, confirming that it is a temple built in the 3rd-6th century AD. There are very few installations of such an early historical period in the country. As far as is known, the Bharat Vaina temple is the only earliest historical site in South Bengal.

The Archaeological Department conducted excavations at Deul from 1984 to 2001. There are 94 rooms in Deul. Around the establishment, 12 rooms have been extended in size and the remaining 72 rooms have been gradually raised upwards. There are 4 rooms above the bank and 6 rooms next to it. There is also a 3 meter wide road at the beginning of the installation.

The building was built entirely of mud and bricks. Gradually rising from the foot with a circumference of 26 meters. The bricks used in its construction measure 18 inches, 13 inches and 2 inches. Such a large brick has not been seen to be used in any antiquities of the region.

Among the antiquities found during the excavations are terracotta human faces, fractions of the hands of gods and goddesses and all the more rare idols. Which are now preserved in the Divisional Museum at Shivbari, Khulna.

How to go

You have to go to Khulna first from anywhere in the country. From there you will have to take an engine-driven van or motorbike to Bharat Vaina village. Talking to the van drivers about Bharat Deul will take you to the specified place.

Where will you stay and eat?

There is no hotel or accommodation in the vicinity of Bharat Raja Deul. So we have to come back to Khulna city. You will get a good quality hotel to stay in there.

Go to Khulna and do not come to eat the meat given chuijhal what happens! The month of Chuijhal is available in various restaurants there. Don't forget to eat!

Now there is no rapid flow of Buribhadra. There is no feudal lord Raja Bharat or his army. His immortal fame Bharatbhayana survives only with the dedication of hundreds of thousands of years of history in glory.

Overall, it was okay; not so great, not so bad. One thing that should be noted is that this site is one of the few archaeological sites in this part of the country and the only site in the Jashore district. It was a nice place to spend time with family and friends.

Travelling from the nearest bus stop is affordable, but you have to reserve transport. 

The History of The Bharat Raja Deul in Jessore

Bharat Raja Deul in Jessore is an ancient archaeological site dating back nearly 1,800 years, built during the Gupta period, and later recognized as a protected heritage monument in 1923.

🏛️ Origins and Construction

• Location: Bharat Raja Deul (ভরত রাজার দেউল) is situated at Bharat Vaina village, Keshabpur Upazila, Jessore, on the banks of the Vadra River.

• Builder: It is believed to have been constructed by a local ruler named King Bharat around the 2nd century CE (Gupta era).

• Purpose: Scholars suggest it was originally a stupa or temple mound, symbolizing both religious devotion and royal authority.

📏 Structure and Features

• The mound is 12.20 meters high and has a periphery of 266 meters.

• Excavations (1984–2001) revealed:

  • A T-shaped structure with a brick-built altar.

  • 94 chambers in total, including 12 rooms surrounded by wing walls and 82 stupa-like chambers.

  • Terracotta artifacts such as female faces, decorative bricks, clay pots, ornaments, and fragments of deities.

• The terracotta and brick sizes used here are among the largest found in Bangladesh’s ancient sites.

📜 Historical Timeline

• Gupta Period (~2nd century CE): Original construction attributed to King Bharat.

• 1889: British archaeologists documented the site as a mound with significant remains.

• 1897: A major earthquake damaged the structure.

• 1923 (January 10): Officially declared an archaeological site by the government.

• 1984–2001: Extensive excavations uncovered its architectural complexity and artifacts.

🌍 Cultural and Historical Significance

• Locally known as Bharater Deul or Bharat Raja Deul, it stands as a symbol of Jessore’s ancient heritage.

• It reflects the Gupta-era influence in Bengal, blending Buddhist stupa traditions with Hindu temple architecture.

• The site is not only a monument of religious history but also a testament to early urban settlement and craftsmanship in southern Bengal.

✨ In Summary

Bharat Raja Deul is a 1,800-year-old Gupta-era stupa/temple mound in Jessore, built by King Bharat near the Vadra River. Despite damage from natural disasters, it remains a remarkable archaeological site, showcasing terracotta artistry, monumental brickwork, and chambers that highlight ancient Bengal’s religious and cultural richness.