Rediscover Bishnupur Terracotta Temples, West Bengal
Tips to Tour Terracotta Temples of Bishnupur
As soon as you reach there local guides will be flocking around you, which may seem irritating, but I tell you hire one; it is worth the money you will spend on them. They have such a lot of info, which is hard to find in one single book.
Getting hold of a good map and finding the temples on your own can be adventure, but if you are facing time crunch guides are best people to help you out. When I toured in 2013, there was no good map showing the distribution of temples scattered all around so my guide was really helpful.
Insist that they include some of the popular bandhs (water tanks) and Dal madal caman (a cannon built by Mallas to fight the Marathas from south) in their guided tour.
Radhagobinda Temple
Radhagobinda temple, this ‘laterite Ekratna’ temple was built in 1729 during the reign of Krishna Singha. The temple has square base with curved roof and surmounted by Shikhara at the top.
Radhagobinda Temple – laterite Ekratna temple
Why Terracotta Temples?
Terracotta has a shelf life of only 300 years, very less compared to the ones constructed with marble or granite stones. India possesses a wide range of stones that include granite, marble, sandstone, limestone, slate, and quartzite, in various parts of the country. However West Bengal doesn’t have such huge stone reserves. That explains why we don’t find temples built of stone in West Bengal.
During 16th century when there was scarcity of good construction materials like stone, the solution was terracotta. River Ganges flows through a good distance in Bengal, the banks are rich with clay. Local artisans resorted to using this clay for various purposes like idols and temples, besides other household stuffs. That explains the distribution of good number of terracotta temples along the alluvial delta of Ganges River where there is abundance of clay.
A small brick chariot in the form of miniature temple
History of Terracotta Temples
Several temples were built by the prosperous Malla kings who ruled over their empire from here.
The construction of these temples spanned for four hundred years ago, between 17th and 18th century. Understandably these temples display diverse styles of Bengal architecture. A knowledgeable guide will explain these different styles to you very well.
The reign of Bir Singha Dev (1656 AD) witnessed construction of eight bandhs (tanks) and seven temples at Bishnupur. Over the next couple of centuries each king tried to surpass the other in the field of art. More temples were built and the vast plains here are dotted with as many as 30 terracotta temples, each with a different design.
In 1806 the East India Company took over. They distributed power to the local zamindars (landlords), since then the glory of Bishnupur faded away. Too bad, now they don’t make stuff like that any more!
Mix of Architectural Styles
The Bishnupur Terracotta temples are scattered there and treated like ordinary pebbles, which saddened me. They are precious gems! Look in any direction and you will see those shikharas. It is difficult to distinguish the temples or identify them by their names, but thanks to those boards put up there by West Bengal Tourism Board WBTB and Archeological Society of India ASI for some of those temples, it is a learning experience!
The Southern Group of temples is made of laterite. Here you will get to see interesting mix of architectural influences easily distinguishable from the type of roof. Single spires, curved roofs and arches, depict contemporary architectural styles of Odisha, West Bengal, and Persia respectively. Some of these are painted in lime others are bare-bricked.
Nandalal Temple
Another ek ratna laterite temple, originally it was plastered with lime, the remnants of which can still be seen.
Location of Bishnupur Terracotta Temples
Bishnupur temple town located in the Bankura district of West Bengal, India.
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just lovely structure. I was not here on Indiblogger last year so could not read your this post . it looks so fresh today
They are beautiful. India has some amazing places.
Wow..Amazing pictures 🙂
It is time someone preserve these gems… Thanks for sharing Indrani…
i just hope government gets aware of this heritage one day or the local public !
Incredible..
Really nice blog post. Must say, each of your blog posts have got tremendous pictures. 🙂
I love your blog not only for its photogenic aspect but also for the fact that you're trying in a way to make people aware of our heritage and architectural magnificence. Great post as usual..
True Indrani. Very upsetting that our heritage is in such a neglected state.
Whenever I see cracks or chipped off sculptures etc, I feel so helpless.
Why can't we just preserve them and give them the due respect?
Precious Gems! Yes they are. Time now to know a little more history of Bishnuput
Beautiful photos and informative post. 🙂
What a wonderful place… Temples are scattered all around. Wish to visit here…
It is a beautiful temple. I am always amazed at the amount of detail.
It's good that they haven't just been left to crumble. They are some amazing structures!
I've found guides are most helpful, too. Love especially the last photo.
It's sad that these precious and historical places are not in tender loving care!
Gorgeous shots!
Beautiful. Lovely to look at.
It's magnificent Indrani, the carvings are incredible. Thank you for sharing this beautiful place.
That's an amazing temple – older than my country!
Beautiful temple and I love the shot framed by the arch. All great shots.
I often think:"who takes care of these precious buildings. In my country we have a society for the protection of these ancient monuments. It would be so bad if this all got lost.
Wil, ABCW Team.
seems like you were interested in travelling.. <3
How beautiful and what an artwork !
walking tours with a local guide is the only way to go!
So rich in history and such beautiful architecture! Awesome!
Absolutely marvelous! These are worth visited temples and shrines… Your picture truly enhances the richness of these terracotta structures.
Indrani, what a lovely tour of the temples. They are beautiful, lovely captures!
A good guide is worth their weight in gold. Beautiful sculptured architecture.
Terracota's warmth has some mystic appeal.. Very nice captures.
Heard so much about the Bishnupur Terracotta temples! Thanks for the travelogue Indrani! 🙂
Very nominal entrance fees. That is a good point by you Parthasarthi. I will make a mention of it in one of my following posts.
If ASI and WB tourism department are taking care,I trust the temples are well maintained.It is a pity we cannot create now any one temple in the size and magnificence as built in the past.The presence of so many guides is proof that there are many tourists visiting the place.Is there any entrance fee?
There is so much in every nook and corner of our country. The guides make your trip far more interesting. Loved all the pics as usual.
Lovely shots, I really like the temples shot through the archway!
that temple is just so beautiful. very appealing.
This is a lovely tour of the temples. Nice captures too.
just lovely structures!
These are so lovely!
Oh, I do agree, too!! I've always found guides to be worth the money!! Wonderful captures as always, Indrani! I would love to visit there! Have a great new week!!
Such good advice to take a tour! Guides almost always are worth the money spent, I agree.