# Temples of Bishnupur

The Temples of Bishnupur are a group of temples located in the town of Bishnupur, West Bengal, India. These temples, built by the Malla kings between the 17th and 18th centuries, are renowned for their unique architectural style that blends traditional Bengali design with influences from other regions. The temples are primarily constructed using terracotta, a material that gives them a distinctive reddish hue and allows for intricate detailing in the artwork. Known for their elaborate terracotta panels that depict scenes from Hindu epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the temples are a testament to the artistic and cultural achievements of the Malla dynasty. Over the years, they have gained historical significance, drawing visitors and scholars alike. In recognition of their cultural value, the Temples of Bishnupur were added to UNESCO's tentative list of World Heritage Sites in 1997. The Temples are designated as Monuments of National importance by ASI.

## List

This is a list of temples in Bishnupur, which are located in the town of Bishnupur in Bankura district of West Bengal, India. The town is famous for the unique terracotta temples made from the locally available laterite stones. The Malla rulers were Vaishnavites and built the famous terracotta temples during the 17th and 18th centuries at this place. Since 1997, the temples of Bishnupur is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site's Tentative list.
| Name of the temple | Deity | Date | Notes/Beliefs |
| Rasmancha | Radha Krishna (during Rasa festival) | 1600 | It is the oldest brick temple. Built by King Bir Hambir. The temple has an unusual elongated pyramidical tower, surrounded by hut-shaped turrets, which were very typical of Bengali roof structures of the time. |
| Jor-Bangla Temple | Keshto Ray (Krishna) & Gouranga | 1655 | Built by King Raghunath Singha Dev II. The ornate terracotta carvings are set off by the roof in the classic chala style of Bengal architecture. |
| Shyam Ray Temple | Shyam Ray (Krishna) | 1643 | Built by King Raghunath Singha. It stands on a low square plinth and consists of an ambulatory pathway with a porch opened by three arches on the four sides of the temple. The central shikhara is octagonal, while the rest four are square. The walls are richly decorated with terracotta carvings featuring aspects of Lord Krishna’s life. Pancha Ratna style. |
| Madanmohan Temple | Madanmohan (Krishna) | 1694 | King Durjana Singha Deva built the temple in the ekaratna style, a square flat-roofed building with carved cornices, surmounted by a pinnacle. Impressive carvings on the walls depict scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas. |
| Lalji Temple | Radha Krishna | 1658 | Built by Bir Singha II in ekaranta style. It is built on a square raised plinth, consisting of ornamental stucco decorations on low relief carvings. |
| Radhya Shyam temple | Radha Krishna | 1758 | Built by Chaitanya Singha in ekaratna style. It was built in a square plan, consisting of a dome-shaped shikhara and stucco motifs depicting floral, geometric and depiction of the life from Puranas. |
| Nandalal Temple | Nandalal (Krishna) | 17th Century | Consisting of a square ground plan and a single tower resting on a curved roof. Very little motif work can be seen on the lower part of the temple. |
| Kalachand temple | | 1656. | Built by King Raghunath Singha in ekratna style with laterite stone. |
| Radhabinod Temple | | 1659 | Built by queen of Raghunath Singha I built the temple in brick. |
| Madangopal Temple | | 1665 | A Pancharatna mandir built by Shiromani Devi, Queen of Veer Singha II. |
| Muruli Mohan Temple | | 1665 | Built by Shiromani Devi, Queen of Veer Singha II. It is an ekratna temple with floral designs and stucco works. |
| Radha Govinda Temple | | 1729 | Built by Krishna Singha, son of Gopal Singha in ekratna style with laterite. |
| Radha Madhab Temple | | 1737 | Built by the daughter-in-law of Mallaraj Gopal Singha, Churamoni Devi in ekratna style with brick and has bas relief carvings. |
| Chhinnamasta Temple | Chhinnamasta | | Built by the Guin family of Midnapore. |
| Sanreswar temple | Lord Shiva | 1346 | The temple is made of laterite stone, which possibly had a sikhara of the Nagara style presently missing. |
| Malleswar temple | | 1622 | Built by Mallaraj Bir Singha. It is an Ekratna temple built of laterite stone. |
| Mrinmayee Temple | Maa Durga | Originally 997 CE | Originally built by Jagat Malla in 997 CE. The Durga puja takes place for 15 days and all the other temples in Bishnupur does not start the puja until the cannon has been fired from the temple. |
| Krishna-Balaram Temple | | | Deula style |
| Sarbamangala Temple | | | |
| Jor Mandir (Twin Temples) | | 1726 | A complex of three temples known as the Jor Mandir. These temples were built by Malla King Krishna Singha in 1726.} |