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.
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!
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.
Shyamaraya Mandir with Terracotta Murals
Zooming into one of the panels… the details are amazing! Krishna romancing the gopikas depicted on this mural.
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.
A scene from Mahabharat, Bheeshm on a bed of arrows.
Shri Krishna Leela is one of the common themes in the terracotta panels.
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.
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.
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.
Pin this for later…
Wow! Love the colour.
And the work is very attractive.
All the photos clearly portray the intricate details of the artistry and they are indeed telling the story of that age. Have visited all these places during my school excursion days – this post brought back my happy memories from past. Thanks.
The carvings are so beautiful and you have captured them so well !
Lovely
One day I will this all. One day.
Amazingly beautiful work
…wonderfully captured!
Thats some heavy duty terracotta work. Its amazing how they did not let the scarcity of stones hinder their creativity and built wonders with clay instead.
You seriously discover places we have had never heard of and they are so so beautiful.
Thank you friends for you comments.
Thank you Kokila for the appreciation and interest. I take most photos with my Canon EOS 450D, 200mm lens.
Serious and profuse thanks Indrani for sharing such amazing wonderful and so beautifully captured frozen art!Even I am intrigued by the size of that bird …was the artist familiar with huge birds at that time or simply imagined? The Krishna Ras leela was outstanding and outstandingly captured by you. What's your gear Indrani> Amazing. wishing you more such journeys , Love, Kokila
Its a stunning temple Indrani. Glad you introduced me to it. 🙂
krishna leela work is really awesome…loved it sooo much…perfect…and when i read that this treasure is well maintained, I felt very happy.
Beautiful pics and text..!
Such intricate carvings! I marvel at the skill of those people.
Amazing and a detailed capture.
Amazing terracotta work! Bishnupur is a treasure.
Imagining what these sculptures have kept stored in from the past for us to know… beautiful pics!!!
Such intricacies in terracotta. unbelievable!
Beautiful captures. I am always amazed at the patience that must have been shown for completing such intricate work. Thanks for sharing.
Brilliant art works!
Extraordinary designs!
No words to express how much I am impressed with the detailing.
The detail is mind-boggling. I wonder if anybody anywhere still takes time to do such things.
These are remarkable works.
Taking good care of the temple shows immense respect. I think it makes a huge difference for how visitors act when they are there.
The details on this temple are exquisite. It's nice to hear that the temple is so very well maintained and cared for.
Thrilling complexity!
Aloha
A magnificent place and I thank you so much for sharing it with us. I love to travel around the world through photos and yours are fantastic!
love it when it's well taken care.
I have enjoyed seeing this series so much, Indrani!! Like the others, I'm awed by the incredible detail and you have captured it so beautifully!! Thanks as always for sharing the beauty! Have a great new week!
Beautiful, just beautiful.
just such impressive detail, once again.
Marvelous series of pictures and fascinating details Indrani! Glad to hear they put enough effort to maintain the grace of temple.
Beautiful! The details are amazing.