Terracotta Marvels of Bishnupur:A Repository of Temple Architecture, Sculpture and Mythology

Terracotta temples of Bengal have stood the tests of time and experienced vagaries of nature, some sculptures are feared eroded due to incessant
rains prevalent in this part of the country. These temples built during 16th-17th century are dedicated to Lord Krishna and eulogizing the various
avatars of Vishnu have inspired generations since time immemorial. The temple architecture of Bengal shows influences of Odishan temple
architecture forms and also adopts the sloping roofs of Bengal huts into the fold of temple building.
A number of temples in Bishnupur are famous for their remarkable structures and design. My book talks about three of them which have
exquisite work of terracotta panels on the temple walls. It would be a detailed run-through these temples in terms of their architecture and the
stories depicted on the terracotta tiles all over the temples. We find a number of Ek-Ratna temples in Bishnupur. Madanmohan temple is one of
the finest examples of that. Shyama Raya temple is a Pancha-Ratna temple.
Keshta Ray temple is built in Jor Bangla style which is a combination of two chala sloping roofs. The length of the chapters and the details that I
have tried to collate and put in depends on the intricacies of each temple.
The Shyama Raya temple is the one with exquisite plan and architecture and is also adorned beautifully with richly carved terracotta tiles. The
forms illustrated in the carvings of Shyama Raya temple are beautiful and needed detailed structuring and description.
The Jor Bangla temple of Keshta Raya Temple has carvings ranging from a number of themes and is also rich in terracotta carvings and designs.
The terracottas of Jor Bangla temple possess a wide and wonderful thematic range. The subject matters involve – Mythology, stories from
Puranas, Epics – Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Depictions of Vishnu and his various avatars and goddesses and Krishna leela stories are also found widely spread over this temple. Apart from
these representations, a number of decoratives, birds, animals and grotesques, day-to-day activities of humans and the contemporary social life
of the people in Bankura district.
The Madan Mohan temple, on the other hand, is a living temple where active worship and offerings are allowed even today. In this particular
temple a number of façade walls are left blank; not all the sides of Madan Mohan temple is as richly carved as Shyama Raya or Jor Bangla
temple. However, the music and dance panels that are seen on Madan Mohan temple walls are a rich repository of Bhakti culture of Vaishnavism sect of worshipping Lord Krishna. The oneness of the soul with the almighty is achieved in Bhakti tradition through the medium of song and
dance and being engrossed in adoration of the divine.
One prominent structure which is designed spectacularly includes Rasamancha, dedicated to Radha and Krishna where the deities are brought
for worship during Rasa festival. Built in the year 1600, this oldest brick temple built by King Bir Hambir has an elongated pyramidical tower,
surrounded by hut-shaped turrets, inspired by the Chala Bengali roof structure found in 16th -17th century Bengal.