The Terracotta Temples of Bishnupur, Bankura
Bishnupur in Bankura was the capital of the Malla kings for nearly a thousand years. Its brick temples are covered in terracotta panels.
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Bishnupur of the Malla kings
The town was founded around 997 CE by Jagat Malla and is named after the god Vishnu. For nearly a thousand years it was the capital of the Malla kings of Mallabhum. (Source: Wikipedia, Bishnupur, Bankura)
The Malla rulers were Vaishnavites and commissioned most of the terracotta temples. Veer Hambir and his successors Raghunath Singha Dev and Bir Singha Dev made Bishnupur a major cultural centre of Bengal. (Source: Wikipedia, Bishnupur, Bankura)
The terracotta temples
The temples are built of laterite and brick and covered with terracotta tiles showing scenes from the Mahabharata. (Source: Wikipedia, Bishnupur, Bankura)
The Rasmancha is described as the oldest brick temple, with no date given. The listed dates are: Shyam Ray about 1643, Jor Bangla (Keshta Roy) about 1655, Kalachand about 1656, Madan Mohan about 1694, Jor Mandir complex about 1726, Radha-Gobinda about 1729 and Radhamadhab about 1737. (Source: Wikipedia, Bishnupur, Bankura)
One caption calls Jor Bangla a 16th-century temple and another says about 1655. The dates conflict even within Wikipedia, so check an archaeological source if you need a firm year. (Source: Wikipedia, Bishnupur, Bankura)
Crafts: terracotta and Baluchari
Terracotta work continues today: horses, elephants, Ganesha and Nataraj figures and other pottery. Potters also make miniature replicas of the Dalmadal cannon. (Source: Wikipedia, Bishnupur, Bankura)
Bishnupur is also known for Baluchari saris, woven on Jacquard punch-card looms, with Ramayana and Mahabharata motifs on the border and pallu. (Source: Wikipedia, Bishnupur, Bankura)
Towards World Heritage
In 1997 the temples of Bishnupur were placed on UNESCO's Tentative List, a preliminary step before a World Heritage nomination. (Source: Wikipedia, Bishnupur, Bankura)
💡 Visit in daylight to see the terracotta panels well, and do not touch the carvings.
💡 We found no official source for tickets, hours or transport, so confirm them before you go.
Questions
- Bishnupur temples history
- The town was the Malla kings' capital. The Vaishnava Malla rulers commissioned most of the terracotta temples, many dated to the 17th and 18th centuries.
- Which temples to see in Bishnupur?
- Rasmancha, Jor Bangla, Shyam Ray, Madan Mohan, Kalachand, Radha-Gobinda and Radhamadhab.
- What is Bishnupur famous for?
- Terracotta temples, terracotta crafts, Baluchari saris and the Dalmadal cannon.
See also
Tarakeswar TempleHangseshwari TemplePoush MelaRash Purnima 2027Calendar 2027