Bishnupur is famous for its terracotta art. This may be a mere sentence only but when you visit Bishnupur it will be unbelievable and significant to you. You must realize that your traveling in life as a full-time traveler remains incomplete if you fail to come here. The pattern, the structure of the temple, the art of terracotta depicted in it bewilders your eyes.

When you visit Radha Madhav temple, Jorbangla temple, Pancha Ratna and Rashmancha, delightment and thrill engulf your mind simultaneously. What marvelous craftsmanship it is! The pattern, jewelry, and other decorative artifacts are all out of imagination.

Bishnupur is only 139 km away from Kolkata. Located in the Bankura district of West Bengal. Once it was the capital of the Mallya dynasty. They ruled a part of Bengal across 500 years from the 12th to 18th century.

It was said that Mallya King, Bir Hambir entreated Srinivasa, the disciple of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and granted him the land to create a sacred center of Vaishnava Devotion. Before the Mallya’s it was a center of art and architecture for years. The local rulers used to pay tributes to Guptas thus reigning the Mallyabhum (covering the place Bankura, Bishnupur, Onda, Kotolpur of modern Hooghly).

Till the 12thy century. Bishnupur is known as the temple of Lord Bishnu. So the city is named as such. Besides the Bishnu temple, Shakta and Shiva temple are seen. British estimated that almost 450 terracotta temples were present that gave it fame as a religious center.

Jorbangla temple reflects the local model of a village hut. Rasmancha shows a pyramid-shaped structure surrounded by turrets. Yet, it reflects the same Bengali roof culture of the time. Madan Mohan temple is engraved with the sense from Ramayan and Mahabharat.

The clay burn horse of Bishnupur is well known all over India. The people produce horses for offering tribute to the local god, Tusu (symbol of wealth and prosperity). This is a folk culture commonly seen in Bankura. People who visit Bishnupur collect that art as a sign of richness.

Why not buy one and travel with good luck as a backpacker?

Not only for the temple, but Bishnupur is also famous for classical music. It will be totally an out of the world experience if you visit this Terracotta area.

• You can enjoy the soothing Bhadu and Tusu songs from the locals.
• You will also get to see Santhals wearing their typical dress accompanied by tree leaves and singing Jhumu.
• You get to see this nowhere. The Baul song is also another centre attraction.

Once, Seni Gharana was popular all over India. Bahadur Khan, the disciple of Tansen came to the court of Bishnupur maharaja (contemporary of Mughal King, Aurangzeb) entreated him, and allowed him to settle down in Bishnupur.

• Later on, Rabindranath Tagore loved Bishnupuri Dhrupad and took coaching Radhika Prasad Goswami. Hence Bisnhupuri style had a good deal of influence on Rabindrasangeet.

• Even Manna Dey the popular light music singer was attracted by Bishnupuri Dhrupad.

You are invited to visit Mukutmanipur as well to witness Lok Sanskriti mela. Here you can enjoy folk songs, Santhali dances, and different types of local crafts. Don’t forget to enjoy cockfighting during the Tusu festival or Chou in winter.

The Ekteswar Gajan resides on the bank of the Dwarakeswar river and is famous for Lord Shiva known as Ekteswar. People celebrate Charak Puja here.

Bottom Line

So, what’s more? Something is left to inform you about the local Baluchari sari, silk and handloom. You can buy them and pack your memory for later days. Also the dances are immeasurable like – Karam and Ronpa, Raibeshe.

Next time I wish to cover those.