The City of Temple - Bishnupur

Bishnupur is a town in Bankura district in West Bengal and is famous for terracotta - temples (thus known as "the city of temple") and Balucheri sarees. The town has a glorious past that is reflected in its rich architecture, music and handicrafts such as pottery and weaving. It prospered in the 17th and early 18th centuries. Ruled by a line of Hindu Rajas of the Malla dynasty, Bishnupur developed a unique form of architecture and has perhaps the most brilliant and detailed terracotta work in Eastern India that has withstood the ravages of time.

Rasmancha -  Rasmancha with its unique architectural manifestations was built by bir Hambit in c. 1600 AD. The temple stands on a raised square laterite plinth with a pyramidal superstructure, the arches of which are decorated with terracotta lotus motifs, enclose the sanctum of the shrine. During the Malla regime, all the images from the neighbouring temples were brought at the time of Ras festival and displayed in the galleries fro the public. Its parallel has not been found elsewhere in India and it may be considered as the pride of Bishnupur for its unique shape.

Large Gateway - This fine arched gateway popularly known as "pathar darwaja" is built with dressed Laterite blocks. This gateway was the northern entrance to the ancient fort of Bishnupur and Malla king Birsingha built it in the second half of the seventeenth century. It had double storied galleries flanking the central passage for accommodating troops and there were also arrows-slits for the archer and the gunman.

Shyamrai Temple - This temple, built by the Mall king Raghunath Singh in 1643 AD, is the best example in brick of the Pancharatna type i.e. five sikharas on a curved Bengal chala roof. Its terracotta panels are also noteworthy.

Temple of Madan Mohan - This temple, built by the Malla King Durjan Singh in AD 1964 is the best example in brick of this type with a single sikhara ona curved Bengal chala roof. Its terracotta panels are significant.

Lalji (or Ekaratna) Temple -  Built by Bir Singha II of Malla dynasty in AD 1658, it is one of the impressive laterite built ekaratna temples at Bishnupur and is enclosed by boundary walls. Inscriptional evidence on the southern facade states that this temple was built for Radha and Krishna. Square on plan and placed upon a raised plinth. This temple is surmounted by a single sikhara. Traces of the ornamental stucco decorations on low relief carvings can still be seen on the front wall.

Stone Chariot - Datable to c. 17th century AD, this small double storied structure stands on a low laterite plinth originally with three wheels on each side. The lower storey resembles the arched pavilion of Rasmancha, whereas the upper storey with sikhara resembles ekaratna temple of Bishnupur. This stone chariot is unique in representing typical Bishnupur temple style in miniature form with all finer details.

 

Dalmadal Canon - This canon of wrought iron popularly known as "Dalmadal", was probably the largest canon, manufactured by the Malla kings. It is 3.8 M long with a muzzlw of 29.2 cm in diameter. As per legend during the regime of king Gopal Singha lord Madan Mohan, the tutelary deity of the Malla kings was said to have used this canon against Bhaskar Rao, the commander of Maratha invades.

Date visited: November, 2012
Informations from Archaeological survey of India