Duttapara Terracotta Temple in Joypur India
Because of the extraordinary work on terracotta panels on its walls, the Duttapara Temple ranks high in the list of top 10 temples of Joypur near Bishnupur. They tell innumerable mythological stories. Though the panels and terracotta idols in the roof has lost out to ravages of weather and time, the wall panels are pretty much in good shape.
Glad that these are still free things to do in Joypur. But on second thoughts I felt they should take some kind of donation from tourists at least for the maintenance of these treasures till some government help comes. West Bengal Tourism should step in before they reduce to dust and merge with Mother Earth!
See the previous post on Duttapara Temple: Navaratna Terracotta Temple Duttapara in Joypur Bankura
Roof of Duttapara Temple
Arches on the roof has overgrowth of moss, worn out at many parts and dark gray with negligence. They desperately need a good scrub. I wonder when it was last somebody climbed up there for renovation.
Notice the seated musicians on the arch? Not all nine musicians on the arch are in good form. It is sad to see them in headless form.
Musicians on arch of roof Duttapara Temple
Worn out Terracotta idols, hard to make out whom these idols represent
Walls of Navaratna Duttapara Temple
There are two triple arched entrances to the temple. Front facade is better maintained. The walls of the front side of the temple are better maintained. Seemed like they were given a white coat along the lower portions of the walls.
Duttapara Terracotta Temple in Joypur near Bishnupur India
Central Arch of the Front Facade
The central terracotta panel has scenes from Mahabharata and Ramayana the two sacred Hindu religious texts. Lord Krishna and Radha with gopinis in the top most row. In the second row, there is Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman.
-
- Such details on the birds and flowers
-
- Lord Rama, His consort Sita and brother Lakshmana
-
- Scene from Ramayana
-
- Central arch of the facade
Left Arch of the Facade
Right Arch of the Facade
The battle between Arjun and Karna in Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna is the charioteer. (left panel)
Mahogany Wood Door of Duttapara Temple
This 300 years old Mahogany wood door has withstood the test of time. It is the oldest fixture of the temple. Worn out at many places so many of the carvings are faint remains of what they were once. The sharpness of the features gone, it was hard to name the characters depicted on the wooden panels.
With a history and character like this it has a place in the list of Doors of India! Unfortunately the temple had closed after the daily payer rituals and the door was firmly shut. I found the door details interesting soon I was clicking them.
Pin this for later…
Save this post, and share with your friends if you plan to go on a Terracotta Temple Trail in West Bengal India.
nice closeup pics
Imagining the efforts of the artisans! Thanks for sharing these awesome clicks!
Lovely pictures as usual,I was wondering why are the figures in the war between ram and ravana,so happy n smiling 😉
Charming sculpture
A great post with very nice pics!
Wonderful indeed!
Great architecture and sculpting 🙂
Such details… Thank you Indrani..Our temples are treasure houses of art and culture. These should be preserved at all costs..
Excellent sculpture ! and you've photographed them so well !Great work..
At first I thought they are Navagrahas- then I saw 'musicians'. Wish we could preserve all our treasures well…
just beautiful 🙂
beautiful pic of a great architecture.
The makers of the temple have put an extra effort upon the detail of the design. It's some Amazing beauty.
don´t think I have seen this before. I very much like the door opening in the second shot.
A magnificent place, splendid architecture!
A magnificent place Indrani, fantastic carvings.
what a spectacular old building. the detail is just incredible.
Beautiful Clicks
How sad it's deteriorating!
Superb structures, they are the best Indrani.
Beautiful architecuture..Lovely snaps..
I find everything about the temple interesting, even the decay that speaks of ages past. Love that double frieze of merrymaking musicians and the horses.
Wonderful shots and interesting information.
Oh the beauty of the carvings.I have never been to West Bengal yet….thanks for showing us some sites.
This is a treasure. Like the close up shots. Please do that more often 🙂
You've got some marvelous photos of these fascinating carvings. The details are amazing.
Ancient architecture at its best. The Sculptures and the carvings always keep amazing me. Nice clicks 🙂
Stunning images! Great details. Thanks Indrani for sharing these.
Wow, amazing detail!
Incredible details! Truly amazing photo series…
it is beautiful!
How every carving has a story to tell!
amazing!
Beautiful pictures ! what an architectural artwork ! Must have taken a long time to make all these little sculptures !
Beautifully photographed. Terracotta structures are a specialty of Bengal.
Truly awesome, Thanks for sharing.
Truly fabulous shots!
Fascinating article and photos.
Beautiful temple with intricate carvings. I love the detailed relief works. There are so many beautiful temples in our country which are in such sorry states due to poor maintenance.
Oh the poor musicians. I am captivated by the intricate carvings.
A great place, I like the temples in India, it is uncredible how much work is done for such a relief.
Wonderful and fascinating photos! Great!
Fantastic photo essay! I love the details you've capture in each of your photo!
Nice captures of the gorgeous carvings.
even with weathering and wear, it is still beautiful.
Very interesting and intricate carvings!
Your photos and the details are fantastic, Indrani!! What an incredible temple!! Thanks as always for sharing with us!! Have a wonderful week!!
Indrani, amazing details on this temple. The musicians are cool, it is sad they are headless. Lovely series of photos, thank you for sharing your world. Have a happy week!