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City and municipality in West Bengal, India
Photo: User:P.K.Niyogi, CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Bishnupur (বিষ্ণুপুর Biṣṇupur) is a town in the Bankura district of West Bengal, India. Although famous for terracotta temples, Bishnupur also houses several laterite stone temples. Bishnupur also houses several other ancient religious and non-religious structures. The town probably contains the highest number of historical sites of any town in West Bengal. The terracotta temples are in the tentative list of since 1998.
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Built in 1600 by Bir Hambir it is the oldest standing structure in Bishnupur. The pyramidal structure stands on a high platform approached by a long flight of stairs. It consists of arched entrances separated by pillars and is crowned with a stepped pyramidal structure surrounded by smaller typical Bengal styled sloped roofed structures. It is architecturally unique and one of its kind in the whole of Bengal, probably in the whole of India. Sadly apart from a few floral lotus motif the Rasmancha does not contain any terracotta art work. It is not a temple and hence does not house any idol but during the festival of Ras all the idols from different temples of Bishnupur are brought at the Rashmancha for public display.
Pancha Ratna Temple
The temple has five pinnacle, hence the name Panch Ratna. Built in 1643 by King Raghunath Singha. It is one of the largest temples of Bishnupur. The temple is accessible by triple arched entrance on all the four sides All the walls are richly decorated with terracotta carvings featuring aspects of Lord Krishna’s life.
A square structure without windows or doors atop a small mound. Nothing much is known about the construction date and the purpose for which it was built. Some opine it was a prison while other believe it was a granary. Sadly it is nothing spectacular.
Jorbangla Temple
It follows the jora bangle style of architecture and hence is popularly known as the Jorbangle Temple. The two buildings shaped like a typical Bengal hut joined together with a small turret on top. It is the most interesting one from the architectural point of view. Built by King Raghunath Singha Dev II in 1655 it is considered as one of the finest example of terracotta art in Bengal. All four sides of the temple are covered with the most intricate terracotta panels covering a wide range of topics. Panels of ships and boats are quiet in the temple. There are also several panels from the two great epics but a panel depicting Bishma is sarasajya (bed of arrows) stands out among all.
Just next to the Kestorai Temple is the Radhashyam Temple. This Ek – ratna (Single Pinnacled) temple is built of laterite stone and contains lime stone stucco decoration. The temple is enclosed with high walls and its entrance consists of a triple domed Islamic style gateway. The temple dating back to 1758 was constructed by the Malla King Chaitanya Singha.
A little away is the Radha Laljiu Temple, built 100 years earlier than the Radhashyam Temple the temple follows a similar single pinnacled structure. Built by the Malla King Bir Singha in 1658 it is considered as the finest laterite stone temple in Bishnupur.
Just opposite the Radhashyam Temple is the Mrinmoyee Temple, the oldest temple of Bishnupur. Sadly the old structure no longer exists and the ancient idol of Mrinmoyee is housed in a newly constructed structure. Mrinmoyee is an incarnation of Goddess Durga and durga puja is performed at the temple.
Small Stone Gateway
Once the temple town of Bishnupur was surrounded by a high wall complete with bastions. The walls were punctured by gateways gateways providing access to the fortified temple town. The fortified walls have long crumbled to dust and a couple of gateways remain on the northern end of the city. The Choto Pathar Darja (or small stone gateway) is the souther of the two gateways. The small gateway with an arched passageway is built of laterite stone.
Big Stone Gateway, Gate of Old Fort
This is the second of the two surviving gateways of the fortified temple town of Bishnupur. This lies north of the small stone gateway and is much larger in size. Unlike its smaller counterpart, this gateway is not just a passageway but comes with a complete defensive mechanism. The double-tiered gateway comes in with a guard house at the top level whole with narrow slits allowing the archers and the gunmen to fire their shots. North of the gateway is a 17th-century laterite stone chariot, which follows the ekaratna (single-pinacled) style of architecture.
Bishnupur has something more to offer than temples. The massive Dalmadal Cannon is one such attraction. The 1742 built cannon weighs 112 quintal and measures 3.8 meter with a diameter of 30 cm, including a muzzle of 29.2 cm. According to legend, when the Marathas attacked Bishnupur in 1742 Lord Madan Mohan himself fired the gun to drive them away.
Temple of the severed head godeses
Devi Chhinnamasta is the goddess with the severed head. She carries her severed head in one hand and other she carries a khara (sword like weapon). The present Chhinnamasta Temple is a new structure and has no historic elements. It is an active temple and photography of the idol is strictly prohibited.
This is the first of the seven single pinnacle temples and lies of the left hand side of the road, leading from the Chhinnamasta Temple. It is a south facing temple with a triple-arched entrance. It has a square plan and stands on a raised platform. It has very little ornamentation of shallow relief work. Originally the temple was plastered with lime but only traces of it remains to this day. The temple has no foundation plaque but according to architectural style it was possible erected sometime in the 17th century.
This cluster of three single pinnacle (ek ratna) temple and lies on the opposite side the Nandalal Temple. All the three temples follow the square plan and are constructed on a raised platform. Among the three some beautiful stucco work can still be seen in the central one. These temples were built by Malla King Gopal Singh in 1726.
This is the fifth single pinnacle (ek ratna) temple and lies just ahead of the Jor Mandir complex. A dedicatory inscription of the southern face of the temple say that it was built by Krishna Singh in 1729. On south eastern corner of the temple is a small brick built chariot shaped in the form of a miniature temple.
A short distance away is the 1737 built Radhamadhav Temple. The ek – ratna temple is accompanied by a do – chala (double sloped roofed) structure. The temple is built by Churamony Devi, wife of Krishna Singh. The temple still contains some interesting stucco work featuring animals.
Further down the road is the Kalachand Temple with its towering pinnacle. Built in 1656 by the Malla King Raghunath Singh temple once covered with stucco decoration, only traces of it remains to this day.
Located east of the seven single pinnacle (ek ratna) is the artificial lake of Lal Bandh (Bandh means dam). The lake dates back to the time of the Malla King Bir Singh II (reign 1657 -77). On the south eastern part of the lake is the Lal Garh Park. Garh literally means fort but sadly no traces of the fort remains to this day. It is a modern urban park with landscaped gardens. The only ancient structure is a well, which is said to be the entrance of an underground tunnel. The entrance of the well is sealed off due to security reasons. At the southern end of the park is a watch tower providing great views of the surrounding. The tower offers a bird's eye view of the seven single pinnacle (ek ratna) towering above the lush green forested canopy.
Bishnupur Museum
The museum is houses in a two storied building just east of the Bishnupur Tourist Lodge. It houses artifacts not only from Bishnupur but the entire Bankura District and beyond. The museum exhibits stone and copper age artifacts. The music gallery showcases musical instruments of Bishnupur gharana. The textile gallery exhibits famous local sarees like baluchari and swarnachari sarees. There is a collection of terracotta artifacts made by award winning local artists.
King Durjana Singh Deva built the temple in 1694 AD in the ekaratna style, a square flat-roofed building with carved cornices, surmounted by a pinnacle. Impressive carvings on the walls depict scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas. The temple is enclosed inside a high walled complex. Entrance is from the western side through a do chala (sloped roof) gateway. On the southern side is a do chala (sloped roofed) structure, with arched entrances.
Unlike other temples of Bishnupur, this is a Shiva temple. It is a single pinnacle stone temple built by Bir Singha in 1622, making it one of the earliest temples of Bishnupur. It differs considerably from the other ekaratna temples of Bishnupur. According to historians, the temple was initially built in deul style, but the sikhar was later replaced with an octagonal turret or ratna. This change in architecture gives the temple an unusual look. The entrance is through a door on the western side.
An ekaratna laterite stone temple located east of the Madammohan Temple. It was built in 1665 by Siromani Devi (also called Chudamani), wife of King Bir Singha. The temple stands on an elevated platform. The extended sloped of the temple is supported by four pillars on each side.
Radha Vinod Temple is an at-chala (eight-sloped roof) brick-built temple located west of Madanmohan Temple. It was built in 1659 by the wife of Raghunath Singha. The eastern side has a triple-arched entrance and the south has a single-arched entrance. Traces of terracotta ornamentation can still be seen on the outer walls.
Madangopal Temple is a pancharatna (five-pinnacled) temple built of laterite stone. It was built in 1665 by Shrimoni Devi, wife of Bir Singha.
The only navaratna (nine-pinnacled) temple in Bishnupur with rich terracotta ornamentation.
Run by West Bengal Tourism. Double bed, 4 bed and dormitories available here. All rooms have attached bathrooms.
private hotel
With a restaurant serving Indian, Chinese and Tandoor food with room service. ICICI Bank and SBI ATMs are available
Mallabhum Lodge
Run by Bishnupur. provides budget accommodation in its standard double rooms and comfortable accommodation in its standard rooms, 4-bedded rooms and dorms.
Brass and German Silver utensils are famous in Bishnupur. Brass and German Silver artefacts are also available.
Decorated conch shells and items made out of conch shells, including bangles, are also popular shopping items in Bishnupur
Set of hand-painted cards
A card game of 120 cards with 10 suits representing the 10 avatars of Vishnu. The game was introduced by Bir Hambir (reign 1565–1620). It is a complex game played by 5 players. The circular cards of four and a half inches in diameter are works of art and collector's items. The cards are made of several layers of cloth pasted together with glue, made out of crushed tamarind seed. Then they are cut into circles of four and a half inches in diameter. The inner side is painted with pictures of the das avatars with organic colours. The reverse side is layered with lac and hence red in colour.
Handloom saris are in great demand in Bishnupur. Baluchari Saris are famous Bishnupur products. Inspired by the terracotta panels of the temples the saris are woven with replicas of the terracotta panels depicting stories from epics, and historical and religious texts. Swarnachuri is another famous sari of Bishnupur. It follows the same design, but silk threads are replaced with gold threads. Today modern versions of both saris are available.
the terracotta artefacts are the most sort after items while shopping in Bishnupur. Long-necked giraffe-like Bankura Horse is now the symbol of Bengal Handicrafts. These terracotta horses are available in different sizes. Apart from the landmark horses, there are various terracotta artefacts available. They include anything from large salutes to jewellery.
By train
By bus
By car
From Kolkata travel to Dankuni, take the Durgapur Expressway (NH 19), at Ratanpur crossing turn left and take the Sheoraphuli-Tarakeswar road, go straight through to Arambagh and Bishnupur.
Many of the temples are near each other and walking is a good option. Cycle rickshaws are another option. A combination of walk and cycle rickshaw can work out very well.
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