Heritage & Terracotta: Unveiling Bishnupur’s Mystique

Overview

Bishnupur, 152 km from Kolkata and 34 km from Bankura, now the headquarters of the subdivision of the same name in Bankura District, is a seat of terracotta architecture, crafts and culture. For almost a thousand years, it was the capital of the Malla dynasty of Mallabhum. Apart from the unique architecture of the period, Bishnupur is also famous for its terracotta crafts and its Baluchari sharees woven in pure silk with motifs representing Indian mythology. Royal patronage also gave rise to the Bishnupuri gharana (school) of Hindustani classical music and the Bishnupur school of painting. Bishnupur is famous for temples with terracotta art and large water area and there are approximately 16 temples in the Bishnupur. Most of the temples made in the decade of Mallaraja namely Jor-Bangla Temple, Rashmancha, Madanmohan Temple, Pancha Ratna Temple and Chhinnmasta Temple etc.