heritage temples OF Bishnupur

In Bishnupur Rasmancha is a building of highest tourist attraction. This monument, built by Mallabhum king Hambir Malla Dev (aka Bir Hambir) in c. 1600 AD, has its own historical and social importance too. Until recently, this was the place to celebrate Vaishnava Ras festival for entire Bishnupur. During that period, Radha Krishna idols of all the temples of Bishnupur town were brought there to be viewed and worshipped by the citizens. This annual festival was held till 1932.

From architectural point of view this building is unique and is dissimilar to any other temple of Bishnupur. The temple stands on a square platform of size 24.5m X 24.5m built of Laterite blocks. The square foundation is 1.5m high. Above the platform, there is a brick structure of 12.5m high. The roof has a pyramidal summit surrounded by ‘Chala’ type structures. Entire ceiling is supported by 40 pillars and arches on four sides which are decorated with art work of flowers and human figures. The internal chamber of the shrine is enclosed by three consecutive circumambulatory galleries and topped by a colossal pyramidal crown above. For more detail please see ASI notice.

Shyama Rai Temple was built by the Malla king Ragunath Singha (pronunciation: sing-ho) in 1643 AD. The temple is a ‘pancha ratna’ or ‘five towered’ temple that stands on a low laterite platform. The central tower is an octagonal and the other four are square. The base of the temple is a square of size 11.4m X 11.4m, and the height above the platform is 10.7m. It consists of an ambulatory pathway with a porch opened by three arches on the four sides of the temple. The roof of the temple is typical Bengai ‘chala’ type and the walls are decorated with most intricate terracotta arts.

Along with usual forms like flowers, animals etc. the terracotta relief panels depict the scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata including the life of Krishna. For more detail please see ASI notice.

Jor-bangla temple, also called Keshta Rai Temple, has a typical architecture that is found in the southern part of Bengal. The temple was built by Malla King Raghunath Singha (pronunciation: sing-ho) in c.1655. The structure resembles two traditional ‘do-chala’ village huts put together side by side. One of them serves as a porch and the other, which is behind the former, serves as a shrine. The curved roof of this pair of huts is surmounted by a ‘char-chala sikhara’. The base of the temple is a square of size 11.8m X 11.48m, and the

height above the platform is 10.7m. The walls are decorated mostly with terracotta panels describing scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata along with floral and geometrical patterns. In fact, the details are so rich it narrates the whole story visually. For more detail please see ASI notice.

Madanmohan temple was built by Malla king Durjan Singha (pronunciation: sing-ho) in 1695 AD. It is relatively a bigger Eka-Ratna temple compared to other similar temples in Bishnupur and is important too. The temple has a square base of 12.2m X 12.2m and a height of 10.7m above a moderate platform. The roof of the temple is typical Bengali ‘chala’ type surmounted by a single ‘sikhara’ or tower. The temple is mainly built of earthen bricks on a laterite block platform and the frontal facade of the temple is profusely decorated with rich terracotta plaques depicting mythological

stories like ‘Krishna Leela’. Around the innermost sanctuary where the idol is kept, there are covered porches on three sides. Except the rear wall, on each of these three sides there are three arched openings, the main entrance being on the west. For more detail please see ASI notice.
Madanmohan temple is probably the most famous because of the interesting story involving its deity. The original deity was installed in a village in Bengal. The fame of the deity spread far and wide after the personal visit by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the famous Vaishnava saint. So the Malla king carried the idol to his capital at Vana-Vishnupur and installed him in a terracotta temple built for that purpose. Legend says that the deity Madanmohan himself defended the Malla king in the battle with the ‘bargi’ or Maratha invaders who attacked Bengal. In 1820, the original temple was destructed due to a massive earthquake. After that the present temple was built.

Kalachand temple was built by Malla king Raghunath Singha (pronunciation: sing-ho) in 1656 A.D on a low platform of laterite blocks. This ‘Eka-Ratna’ or ‘single towered’ temple is made of rust-coloured laterite. The temple has a square base of 11.1m X 11.1m and a height of 9.2 m above the platform. The roof of the temple is typical Bengali ‘chala’ type. There is a circumambulatory corridor around the main shrine. The structure has three arched openings on each of the four sides and a ‘sikhara’ or tower (Ratna) on the curved roof. This is probably the earliest ‘Eka-Ratna’ temple found in Bishnupur.

There is an ‘amlaka’ on the top of the ‘sikhara’. The frontal facade of the temple is decorated with various events of contemporary life as well as mythological stories of ‘Krishna Leela’. For more detail please see ASI notice.

Though known as Jor Mandir (meaning pair of temples), it is actually a complex of three Eka-Ratna temples: Two big temples of same size and a small one. These temples were built by Malla King Krishna Singh (pronunciation: sing-ho) in 1726. These ‘Eka-Ratna’ or ‘single towered’ temples are made of rust-coloured laterite. The big temple has a square base of 11.8m X 11.8m and a height of 12.8m above a low platform. The roofs of all three temples are typical Bengali ‘chala’ type surmounted by a ‘sikhara’ or tower. Around the innermost sanctuary where the idol is kept, there are covered

porches on three sides. Except the rear wall, on each of these three sides there are three arched openings. The frontal façade of the temples were once decorated with beautiful art works of lateritic material and stucco depicting mythological events. Most of the decorations have ruined. For more detail please see ASI notice.
Though known as the Jor Mandir it is actually a complex of three ek-ratna temples – two big temples and a small one. These temples were built by Malla King Krishna Singh in 1726. The temples were made of laterite stones and the walls were decorated with beautiful art works depicting mythological events. Most of the decorations have ruined.

Radha-Govinda temple was built in 1729 AD by the Malla king Krishna Singha (pronunciation: sing-ho) who was the son of king Gopal singha. This ‘Eka-Ratna’ style temple is made of rust coloured laterite. The temple has a square base of 12.4m X 12.4m and a height of 10.7m above a low platform. The roof of the temple is a typical Bengali ‘chala’ type surmounted by a ‘sikhara’ or tower. Around the innermost sanctuary where the idol is kept, there are covered porches on three sides. Except the rear wall, on each of the three sides of the temple there are three arched openings.

Only front wall is significantly decorated with bas-reliefs depicting regular geometric pattern and human figures including mythological characters. There is a chariot like structure adjacent to the main temple. For more detail please see ASI notice.

Radhamadhav temple was built in 1737 AD by the queen Churamanidevi of Malla king Bir Singha (pronunciation: sing-ho). This ‘Eka-Ratna’ style temple made of rust coloured laterite covered with stucco work has a square base of 11.1m x 11.1m and height 9.2m above a low platform. The roof of the temple is a typical Bengali ‘chala’ type surmounted by a ‘sikhara’ or tower. Around the innermost sanctuary where the idol is kept, there are covered porches on all four sides. Unlike most other temples of Bishnupur, only on two sides of the temple there are three arched openings.

These two sides are decorated with laterite and stucco art works of floral and geometric patterns and human figures including scenes from ‘Krishna Leela’ and other mythological stories. It has a beautiful Bengali ‘hut’ like structure as the entrance. For more detail please see ASI notice.

Nandalal temple was built in the second half of seventeenth century. It is a ‘Eka-Ratna’ style temple made of rust coloured laterite. The temple constructed on a low platform has a square base and Bengali ‘chala’ type curved roof. A single tower or ‘sikhara’ is resting on the roof. Structurally it has similarity with Radha Madhav temple. That means there are covered porches on all four sides around the innermost sanctuary where the idol is kept, and there are three arched openings at each of the two adjacent sides of the temple. Very little decoration or bas-relief is still present on its walls.

Once there was stone carving of different patterns and figures covered with stucco work on the wall, which is mostly washed out. For more detail please see ASI notice.

These twin temples are dedicated to Mahadev and located in the village of Dihar which is 8 km distant from Bishnupur. You will see a Nandi Bull seated at the entrance of the Sareswar Temple as if it is protecting it. These temples, made of laterite stone, are majestic examples of Oriya Deul style architecture. This place becomes a pilgrimage during ‘Mahashivratri’ festival and ‘Gajan’.

NATURAL DESTINATIONS OF Bishnupur

If your eyes love the magic of green and your ears adore the symphony of nature, you are at the perfect place. Joypur forest is a dense forest where sunrays have to take permission from skyscraping trees to touch the bottom at many places. Go, have a talk with Sal, Kusum, Palash, Neem, Teak and Mahua. Roll your eyes to find chirping birds, say ‘Hi’ to a Cheetal (spotted deer) and watch elephants going across the jungle.

Another place with great historical values is the airport in Joypur jungle. British Govt. made the airport in Joypur during the era of World War II. You can witness the airport or runway while exploring the jungle. Besides heritage importance, this place is famous for resident and migratory birds. It is famous for Paradise Flycature and Jacobin Cuckoo.

Bir Singh built the seven lakes named Pokabandh, Shyambandh, Kalindibandh, Jamunabandh, Gantatbandh, Krishnabandh, and Lalbandh in 1658. Lakes were made for drinking water and to protect the town from enemy. Malla Raj Raghunath Singha is said to be infatuated with a Persian dancer, called Lalbai. He took her under his protection and later dug this large pond in her name Lalbandh.

holy destination for spiritual seekers

Mrinmoyee temple, the oldest temple of Bishnupur was established by King Jagat Malla in 997 AD. According to local history, Maa Mrinmoyee ordered the king in his dreams to build the temple. Goddess Durga is worshipped here as Maa Mrinmoyee. Although the temple had to be reconstructed, the idol made of Ganga clay remained same. Experience the oldest Durga Puja of Bengal (1021 years) and rich heritage immersing into a different flavor of religious warmth during the Puja. The festival starts with the worship of “Baro thakurani”, “Mejo thakurani” and “Choto thakurani” respectively, after setting up of a clay pot or “Ghat”.

On the sacred moment of “Mahastami- Sandhipuja”, a cannon is fired and then vegetables are sacrificed.

A lively white marble sculpture of the Holy Mother in ‘Dhyana Mudra’ is seated in this beautiful temple. Swami Saradananda dedicated this temple to the Holy Mother on the sacred day of Akshaya-Tritiya on 19th April, 1923 and the temple has been constructed exactly on the birthplace of her. Shri Shri Maa’s father, Shri Ramchandra Mukhopadhyaya had his original house here and the divine marriage between Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa Dev and the Shri Shri Maa was arranged at this place. The Holy Mother is worshipped daily with appropriate ‘Bhog’ and rituals.

Maa Sarada lived in the Puratan Bari(old house) from 1863 to 1915. From the Holy Mother, many aspirants were blessed with Brahmacharya, initiation and Sannyasa in this dwelling place. On the other side, Maa started to worship Goddess Jagaddhatri here. Swami Saradananda choose a land on the western side of ‘Punyo Pukur’, a tank which is blessed with the name like this because of its regular use by Maa Sarada. A separate house, known as Nutan-Bari was built for providing better accommodation to the increasing number of devotees and the Holy Mother in 1915-16.

The Holy Mother worshipped Maa Singhabahini. The Goddess and her two companions, Shri Mahamaya and Chandi are very much alive according to Shri Shri Maa and devotees. One can feel a historical wave with spiritual sensation in this temple for sure.