Shyamsiddhi Math is located
in Shyamsiddhi village, to the west of Srinagar Bazar
under Srinagar upazila in Munshiganj district. A Bangla
inscription fixed over the doorway in the south side records
its construction by one Shambhunath Majumder in 1243 BS/
Shakabda 1758 (1836 AD). The math is known by its location.
The building is square in plan, measuring 6m externally,
and the walls are 1m thick. This brick built math stands
on a 1.20m high platform, and is about 20m high. The math
is divided into three stages. The lower square part is
the main shrine. On its south side there is an entrance
with pointed arch, flanked by a rectangular panel on its
either side; while each of the other three sides contains
three rectangular panels in plaster, of which the central
one is bigger than the flanking ones. Over the lintel
level, all four sides are relieved with two semi-circular
arches - one above the other - set within a rectangular
frame under a large semi-circular arch. A sun emblem in
plaster is depicted in the small arches.
The entire
surface of the walls were originally plastered,
but now have fallen at places. The shrine is covered
by a dome, over which the base of the tapering shikhara
(spire) is transformed into an octagonal shape at
its second stage. Internally, the dome is supported
on half-domed squinches and multi-cusped corner
arches, while the side walls are relived with ornamented
arched panels. Above these arched panels and corner
arches medallions are depicted. The interior of
the dome is ornamented with two bands of floral
motives at the base.
At the octagonal second stage there are eight pilasters
on the eight corners. The large rectangular area
in each side is decorated with large window panels
with closed shutters. Above the window panel runs
panels containing a group of serpent hoods and floral
leaf pattern alternately around the eight sides.
Above each of the eight sides there is a curved
chala decoration, from which the uppermost stage
of the math rises in a tapering mass. The shikhara
was once crowned with kalasa finial, but is now
missing, although the iron trishul (trident) is
still standing.
It is a
typical single shikhara type of math with a series
of repeated curved vertical mouldings, similar to
the sonarang twin temples.
Courtesy: Muhammed Nasir Uddin, Banglapedia, Asiatic Society
of Bangladesh.
