Shyamaraya Mandir with Terracotta Murals on Walls, Bishnupur

The Shyama Raya Mandir (temple) of Bishnupur is unique because of the Panch Chura (five canopies). It is of the Ratna Chuda style of Bengal architecture.

The temple was built in 1643 by King Raghunatha Sngha. Access to the terracotta work on the temple wall is restricted, but what I saw from a distance of few feet was mind blowing. Stories from epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata are elaborately portrayed.

The craftsmanship of 17th century displayed is amazing! The huge temple, 10.7m high, is built of bricks and covered with terracotta panels. Imagine the attention that would have been paid for such a detailed work. Four of the five canopies are visible from this angle; a total frontal shot would have hidden two out of five of the canopies.

SHYAMA RAYA MANDIR Bishnupur West Bengal

What is most welcoming about the famous Shyama Raya Temple and the place in general is its cleanliness! Guards are ever alert. Lawns, perfectly manicured, graced with seasonal flowers and a maintenance team constantly engaged in maintaining the place neat and clean. Major temples have history and info related to it displayed on a board within its site.

The picture below is from the online gallery of British Library. It was taken by photographer Walter Campbell around 1869. Today this is one of the best maintained temples of Bishnupur.

You will see a  fence around the temple to prohibit reckless tourists from touching the panels. The panels have fine delicate work, vibrating with life!

Old Shyama Raya Mandir Bishnupur
This is definitely worth adding to your list of things to do in Kolkata (Calcutta).

Do check: Terracotta temples of West Bengal

Shyamaraya Mandir with Terracotta Murals

Shyama Raya Mandir, the exterior and interior of this temple is rich with high quality sculpted terracotta murals and carvings.

The entrances on all four sides are grand with three arches, all beautifully decorated.

Arch - Shyamaraya Mandir with Terracotta Murals

Shyamaraya Mandir with Terracotta Murals

Shyamaraya Mandir with Terracotta Murals

Zooming into one of the panels… the details are amazing! Krishna romancing the gopikas depicted on this mural.
Krishna romancing the gopikas
The entire facade had several stories to tell. Most of them were based on Lord Krishna’s life. One of the pillars, looked like it was studded with jewels.
Temples of Bishnupur
A scene from Mahabharat, Bheeshm on a bed of arrows.
Bheeshma on bed of arrows - Shyamaraya Mandir with Terracotta Murals
Shri Krishna Leela is one of the common themes in the terracotta panels.

Shri Krishna leela terracotta mural Bishnupur

Rasamandala – Krishna with Gopis

I found this one very interesting; a huge bird trying to eat an elephant and it is surrounded by many elephants. The picturisation has a top view kind of effect.
Huge bird eating elephant

Shyama Raya Temple Architecture

Typical Bengal architectural features like octagonal minarets, curved cornices, richly decorated walls made of bricks can be seen in this temple.

The temple structure is of squarish configuration and each side measures about 11.4m and is 10.7m in height. Entire surface area of the temple is covered with terracotta murals. Just imagining the planning, effort and execution of such minuscule designs on the wall surface gave me goosebumps.

Bengal architecture ShyamaRaya Temple Bishnupur

Not just this Shyama Raya Temple but all terracotta temples of Bishnupur are Bengal Architectural wonders! One can’t satiate the desire to see Bengal heritage temples just by seeing one.

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