New Delhi: Bishnupur is a quaint town in West Bengal with a rich history and a glorious cultural heritage. The town has a group of temples which are famous for their renowned architectural style. In 1997, due to the artistic value of the temples, they were added to UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites. Also, the ASI has designated the temples as Monuments of National importance. In this article, we will take a look at these temples whose fame has not consolidated beyond the borders of Bengal.
Why are the temples in Bishnupur famous?
Between the 17th and 18th centuries, the Malla kings built the Bishnupur temples famous for their unique architectural style. The temples are a fusion of traditional Bengali design and influences from other places. They were built mainly using terracotta. Hence, the temples have a reddish hue and the artwork is intricate. The temples have elaborate terracotta panels depicting scenes from Mahabharata and Ramayana, and they are a testament to the Malla dynasty’s artistic and cultural achievements.
Famous terracotta temples in Bishnupur
Rasmancha
Rasmancha is said to be the oldest temple of the group. Mallabhum king Hambir Malla Dev (Bir Hambir) commissioned its construction in 1600 CE. Its unusual elongated pyramidical tower is surrounded by hut-shaped turrets.
Jor-Bangla Temple
Also known as the Keshto Ray Temple, it is a Krishna temple. It is believed that the King of the Mallabhum kingdom Raghunath Singha founded the temple in 1655. It is a great example of Jor-Bangla temple architecture, which belongs to the Chala style.
Shyam Ray Temple
In this temple, Lord Krishna is worshipped as Shyam and the idol of Radha is also worshipped. It is believed that King Raghunath Singha of Mallabhum founded the temple in 1643. It was built in the Pancha-ratna temple architecture, which belongs to the ratna style that flourished in medieval Bengal.
Madan Mohan Temple
In this temple, Lord Krishna was worshipped as Madanamohan in earlier days. As per the temple’s foundation plaque, King Durjan Singha Dev of Mallabhum founded it in 1694 AD. The temple is a unique example of Ekaratna temple architecture.
In 1997, due to the artistic value of the temples, they were added to UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites. Also, the ASI has designated the temples as Monuments of National importance. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
