The recent pandemic put a halt to my annual trip to India in 2021 and 2022. Frustrating though it was, this long period of stagnation did give me the opportunity to plan my next trip to a level of detail that I have never achieved before. For my […]
Located on the west bank of the Bhagirathi River, Ambika Kalna (also known as Kalna) was once a flourishing and prosperous trading port in Bengal. It reached it’s zenith during the late 18th century under the patronage of the Maharajas of Bardhaman, who built several spectacular temples in […]
The 19th century was an eventful phase in the history of Bengal, as contact with European colonial forces resulted in far-reaching changes in almost every aspect of Bengali life. The British rule in particular presented a unique opportunity for native entrepreneurs, who established trade relations with the East […]
Located in the northern outskirts of the temple town, the Radha Binod is one of the less-visited terracotta temples in Bishnupur. At first glance this east-facing temple may give the impression that it is a charchala temple, the close encroachment of houses nearby restricts any view from a […]
The small town of Nanoor (Nanur) 19km east of Bolpur is also known as Chandidas-Nanoor for its close association with the famous 14th century medieval poet Dwija Chandidas. Confusingly, it is thought there were at least three poets associated with the name of Chandidas. They were identified as […]
In towns and villages all over West Bengal one can find examples of Rasmancha and Dolmancha. They are usually quite small structures, Dolmanchas being square or rectangular in shape, Rasmanchas being octagonal or hexagonal, raised up on a platform and crowned with a pinnacle. Their main purpose is […]
The small town of Bishnupur, 120km north-west of Kolkata in West Bengal, contains a dazzling collection of temples with some of the most distinctive and unusual designs in the country. Most of the temples were constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries, when the Malla dynasty ruled this […]
The mid 18th century heralded a wave of temple construction in West Bengal. As Muslim rule started to diminish, Hindu zamindars demonstrated their wealth by building new temples, richly decorated with fine terracotta ornamentation, a statement that their stature had been regained after many centuries. In the small […]
Kevin Standage 
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