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 reaching a height of 10.7 meters, boasts a typical Bengali-style curved roof crowned by a curvilinear tower. Unlike the earlier temples in Bishnupur constructed from terracotta bricks, Radha Govinda Temple is crafted from laterite, signifying its relatively late construction.
While the temple appears relatively unadorned, notable ornamentation adorns the south-facing façade, originally serving as the primary entrance. Carved motifs embellish the laterite blocks, once covered in stucco known as ‘pankha’, a blend of clay and lime. Unfortunately, much of this stucco coating has deteriorated over time, and the intricate details of the images have faded due to weathering.
Upon passing through the triple-arched entrance to the south, remnants of the stucco decoration are better preserved, retaining some level of detail.
Remarkably, Radha Govinda Temple bears the scars of vandalism more prominently than any other temple in the vicinity, with walls marred by graffiti and random scratches. This suggests that the temple, perhaps less frequented by visitors, may have lacked adequate caretakers or guards in the past. It stands as a compelling candidate for restoration efforts by the Archaeological Survey of India if funding permits.
Despite the temple’s neglect, the surrounding compound gardens are meticulously maintained, contributing to the serene ambiance. With the rural surroundings and distant temple spires dotting the landscape, the setting exudes an atmospheric charm, seemingly distant from the bustling town nearby.
Within the temple complex, positioned southeast of the main structure, lies a small terracotta chariot resembling a miniature temple. Its lower tier features five brick-up entrances with a central stone wheel on all four sides, while the upper tier mirrors the design of laterite Eka-Ratna temples prevalent in the area.
Some draw parallels between this terracotta chariot and the isolated laterite stone chariot located 1.8 kilometers to the north. Speculations suggest it might have served as a model for Radha Govinda Temple before its construction, yet architectural disparities between the two structures cast doubt on this theory.
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Categories: Bishnupur, India, Radha Govinda Temple - Bishnupur, West Bengal
Kevin Standage 