Venkataramanan Gopalan - Temples of Bishnupur

Temples of Bishnupur

Located in the Bankura district of West Bengal, Bishnupur is known for its terracotta temples made from the local laterite stone. There are numerous temples in the city famous for its unique architecture. Some of them include Lalji Temple, Radhashyam Temple, Jor-Bangla Temple, Rasmancha and Madanmohan Temple. Rasmancha is the oldest temple, and it is built with bricks. Most of these temples have carvings depicting the aspects of Lord Krishna’s life and ornamental stucco decorations. These temples are decorated with terracotta walls from both inside and outside.

These famous terracotta temples were built during the 17th and 18th century in Bishnupur by the Malla rulers who were Vaishnavites. Due to the shortage of stones in West Bengal, the architects thought of an easily available solution! Clay was available in abundance and hence, a new form of temple architecture came into being! The non-availability of stone in West Bengal led to the extensive use of terracotta. These temples which survive to this day stand as testimony to the extraordinary skill of the local temple builders!