West Bengal Packages – BISHNUPUR

After breakfast departure transfer for Bishnupur. Later in the afternoon visit Panchmura.

Panchmura is a gram panchayat under Taldangra intermediate panchayat, in Khatra subdivision of Bankura district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is 21 km (13 mi) from Bishnupur and is famous for the terracotta Bankura horse, a folk artefact and now the national symbol for Indian handicrafts.

Overnight at Bishnupur.

After an early breakfast you will proceed to visit Radhamadhab Temple, Kalachand Temple, Radhagovinda Temple and Nandalal Temple. (Laterite temples). Also visit Rash Mancha, Jogesh Chandra Pura Kirti Bhawan Museum and Jor Bangla Temple,

Although known for its terracotta temples Bishnupur contains an interesting mix of terracotta and stone temples. There are 30 temples (17th-18th century) in Bishnupur that are a treasure-trove of terracotta sculptures. Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu and his love Radha, are deified in most of these temples. Apart from temples it also contains several other interesting religious and social structures. The temples of Bishnupur are located in a small compact area and it is best to explore them by a combination of walking and cycle rickshaw rides.

Radhamadhab Temple

This impressive laterite “eka-ratna” temple was built in the year 1737 A.D. by Shiramonidevi, one of the wives of the Malla king Bir Singha. The square structure stands on a raised plinth and is about 11.1 mtr. on each side and 9.2 mtr. in height. The entrance to the temple has three arched gateways.

Kalachand Temple

Built in A.D. 1656 by the Malla king Raghunath Singha, Kalachand temple is the earliest of the “eka-ratna” temples found in Bishnupur. Made of laterite, the temple is about 11.1 m square on plan and 9.2 m. in height. The square cell structure has three arched openings on all four sides and has a curved roof.

Radhagovinda Temple

This large temple with a miniature Eka Ratna shrine has no sculptures. Stone wheels have been attached to the low platform. Perhaps, this is meant to be the chariot in which Krishna took Arjuna to battle in the Mahabharata.

Nandalal Temple

Nandalal temple with ridged tower and almost no decoration on it. Just opposite to it are three temples in a separate complex. Built by Malla King Krishna Singh in 1726, the temples are collectively known as Jor Mandir. The temple on the south has several scenarios from Mahabharata and Krishna Lila on its walls.

Rash Mancha (stage for dancing)

Built in 1600 by the Malla King Hambir, the Rash Mancha is the oldest standing structure of Bishnupur. It is architecturally unique and one of its kind in the whole of Bengal, probably in the whole of India. Sadly, apart from a few floral lotus motifs the Rash Mancha does not contain any terracotta art work. It is not a temple and hence does not house any idol.

Jogesh Chandra Museum [Closed on Mondays]

In the year 1951 a group of young energetic persons established this museum. In 1954 the said museum was named after Acharya Jogesh Chandra Purakriti Bhawan after the name of Jogesh Chandra Roy Vidyanidhi, the famous scholar of this district as well as Bengal. It has 03 Galleries - archaeological gallery, music gallery and folk-art gallery.

Jor Bangla Temple

Built by Raghunath Singha II in 1655 A.D., the temple is greatly influenced by classical Bengali architecture. The temple is also known as the Keshta Raya Temple and is famous for its construction and terracotta sculptures. The Temple resembles two hut-like structures with separate angled roofs held together by a chala (tower) at the crown.

Overnight at Bishnupur.

Morning checks out from Bishnupur and transfer to Kolkata.