9 Incredible Terracotta Temples In Bishnupur That You Must Visit

Bishnupur is a city brimming with a rich heritage. The place is notable for the rich past that still stands tall. Whenever we speak of the city, the first thing that comes to mind is the Malla rulers and the terracotta temples.

A number of temples were erected by the rulers during their period of control. Each of these temples comes under the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. The rich culture is reflected through the terracotta works on them.

All carvings and sculptures are so detailed and meticulously designed that they will surely astound you. The temple’s walls portray different stories and imaginations. Every structure you see there is unique in its own way.

They are a perfect location for all the history buffs out there.

In this article, you will get to know about the following terracotta temples in Bishnupur,

Ras Mancha
Madan Mohan Temple
Lalji Temple
Radhashyam Temple
Jor Bangla Temple
Pancha Ratna Temple
Nandalal Temple
Radha Govinda Temple
Jor Mandir

Let’s see each of these temples in detail.

1. Ras Mancha

ras mancha bishnupur — Ras Mancha, Bishnupur

Ras Mancha is a marvelous terracotta temple and one of the main attractions in Bishnupur. It is built by Mallya Raja Birhambir in the 1600 AD. The name is derived from the Ras Utsav that used to be organized in the temples by the Mallyas from 1600 AD to 1932 AD dedicated to Lord Radha Krishna.

The temple rests on a base made of Makhra stones and is made of bricks. It has a pyramid-like structure and numerous door-like structures on all sides. A beautiful green garden surrounds the temple.

Start your tour of the Bishnupur temples from this monument. There is a one-time ticket to visit all the temples that will cost you around Rs.30. You can also take a guide who will explain every detail of all the temples. Totos are also available here to take you for a tour of the other temples.

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MORE ABOUT RAS MANCHA

2. Madan Mohan Temple

Madan Mohan Temple is another important temple in Bishnupur built by Malka Raja Durjan Singha in 1695 A.D. It is been built over an area of 12.2 ×12.2 sq m. with a height of 10.7 m. A tower or Sikhara is surmounted by the “Chala” type roof.

The temple is built on a laterite block with the front part mostly made of terracotta. The walls narrate the story of “Krishna Leela”. This place became popular after the visit of Chaitanya Maha Prabhu.

Around the main deity, there is the porch surrounding the temple. Three arch-like openings are present on three sides of the temple.

3. Lalji Temple

Lalji Temple was built by Malla King Bir Singha in 1658. It has a Shikhara and is raised on a raised square-shaped platform. This temple has been devoted to Radha-Krishna and is similar to that of Bengali architecture with ornamental decorations. The perfect terracotta work will not fail to bewitch you.

In front of the main temple, there are two chariots one of Lord Lalji and the other of Lord Raghunath. During the Dusshera festival, they are taken out in procession.

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MORE ABOUT LALJI TEMPLE

4. Radhashyam Temple

This is another old shrine of Radha Krishna, situated in Bishnupur. Here Lord Krishna is worshipped as Shyam, a form of his own self.

The temple was established in 1758 and is a brilliant example of eka-ratna temple architecture of medieval Bengal. This is another site that allures tourists to itself.

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5. Jor Bangla Temple

The Jor Bangla Temple is a 17th-century Hindu temple famous in Bishnupur built by Raghunath Singha in 1655 A.D.

The word “Jor” refers to “Jora,” which means connected. There are two temples located adjacent to each other which reflect two traditional village huts. One serves as a porch and the other one is where the main shrine is present. They are connected in the middle by a wall. Thus the name.

The roof is of “do Chala” style with their curved roofs. The diety mainly is of “Radha Krishna” and the terracotta panels depict Ramayana & Mahabharat.

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6. Pancha Ratna Temple

Located close to the Jor Bangla Temple is the Pancha Ratna Temple. It is also known as the Shyam Rai Temple and was built by King Raghunath Singha in 1643.

On the four sides of the temple, three arches are presently leading to the sanctum. The main temple stands on a low square platform. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu worshipped as Krishna.

The name itself comes from the Pancharatna architectural style. There are 5 towers referred to as five gems. It has a “Char Chala” roof surmounted by gems in each corner. The corner towers are square-shaped and the central tower is octagonal.

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7. Nandalal Temple

This is another important temple in Bishnupur. For the joy of Sri Radhika and Krishna, Mallaraj Birsingha built the temple in 1658.

Nandalal Temple is one of the eka-ratna temples among all the seven in Bishnupur. The temple stands on a low platform with an area of 12.3 × 12.3 meters square and is 10.7 in height. It consists of a ‘Chala’ roof (curved type roof) and excellent terracotta architecture.

The spot is lovely and is wrapped with greenery. The temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu. However, in recent days, there has been no deity inside the holy place.

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8. Radha Govinda Temple

The laterite Ekratna temple was built in 1729 AD during the time of Krishna Singha. It has a square-planned roof surmounted by a Sikhara at the top.

Radha Govinda Temple is surrounded by a beautiful garden around and a pond on one side. The decorative motifs in the temple include floral patterns and puranic scenes.

The temple site is currently maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

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9. Jor Mandir Temples

The Jor Mandir Temples also has stunning works of terracotta throughout the walls. The intricate designs are still holding up strong to date.

Although Jor Mandir translates to a pair of temples, the complex consists of three temples, two of the same size and one small temple. They flawlessly depict the days gone by.

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These heritage sites teach us so many things about the bygone era and things related to the then people and culture. They even show us how the days were back then.

All these are absolutely fascinating, so much so that they will make you yearn to look for more. Travel to the city and venture as much as possible. Everything can be covered in one day or you might even choose to spend a day or two more in Bishnupur.

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