A Shiva temple on top of Mainak Hill on Maheshkhali Island, a short boat ride from Cox's Bazar — scene of a 13-day fair every Falgun.
The Adinath Temple stands on the summit of Mainak Hill, about 85 m above sea level, at Thakurtala on Maheshkhali Island. It is dedicated to Shiva, worshipped here as Adinath, and is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in the country.
Legend links the hill to Ravana, who is said to have set down a Shiva lingam here on the way to Lanka and found he could not lift it again. The present temple may date from around the early 1600s, and its building shows the influence of the Natha sect.
Every Falgun (February–March) a fair lasting about thirteen days is held at the foot of the hill and draws pilgrims from across Bangladesh. Boats and speedboats cross from Kastarighat in Cox's Bazar to Maheshkhali; the climb up to the temple is by steps.
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