Bishnupur is renowned across India as the foremost terracotta temple town of West Bengal, boasting some of the most exquisitely ornamented temples in the state. Drawing in thousands of visitors annually, the town offers a wealth of exploration, necessitating a week or more to fully appreciate its offerings. […]
Situated 300 meters north of the grand Jor-Bangla (Kesto-Rai) Temple in Bishnupur, lie two ancient fort gates: the larger known as Pathar/Garh Darwaja, and the smaller named Choto Darwaja. These gates stand as the sole survivors of a once intricate series of defenses encircling the palaces and fort […]
Situated 340 meters north of the Jor Mandir Temple Complex, the Dalmadal Cannon was commissioned in 1742 by Gopal Singha Dev, the 55th ruler of the Malla dynasty. Regarded as their largest cannon, it was specifically crafted to defend Bishnupur against Maratha assaults, its name “Dalmadal” translates to […]
Located 600m west of Lal Bandh in Bishnupur, the Jor Mandir group of temples consists of two large and one smaller temple set within pretty and well maintained landscaped gardens. All three temples are constructed of laterite on raised platforms, with sloping roofs and surmounted by a single […]
Situated just south of Nandalal Temple and west of Radha Madhav Temple, Radha Govinda Temple was erected in 1729 under the patronage of Krishna Singha Dev, son of Gopal Singha Dev, the 55th ruler of the Malla dynasty. The temple, with a square layout spanning 12.4 meters and […]
Situated 120 meters north of Garh Darwaja, the larger of Bishnupur’s surviving city gates, stands the Stone Chariot (Ratha), a peculiar yet diminutive monument in the town. Perched upon a modest laterite plinth, likely no taller than 3.5 meters, this miniature stone chariot serves as a symbolic representation […]
There are ten Eka-Ratna temples built in laterite stone in Bishnupur. According to their time of construction they are; Kalachand (1656), Lalji (1658), Patpur (1658), three temples in Jor Mandir Complex (1726), Radha Govinda (1729), Radha Madhab (1737), Radha Shyam (1759) and this temple – Nandalal, for which […]
Situated on a small mound directly opposite the road that leads to Shyam Rai temple, the Gumghar is Bishnupur’s most mysterious and enigmatic structure. Measuring 11.4m long, 10.8m wide and 9.1m tall, this slightly tapering brick-built structure has no terrace, verandah, window or door. Nothing is known about […]
Kevin Standage 
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