Bishnupur

Bishnupur (Bengali: বিষ্ণুপুর) is a city and a municipality in Bankura District in the state of West Bengal, India. It is famous for its terracotta temples and the balucheri sarees.
Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Culture
4.1 Temples and other places of interest
4.2 Music
4.3 Products
4.4 Festivals and fairs
5 Politics
6 References
7 External links
[edit]History

Bishnupur was ruled under the Gupta period by local Hindu kings who paid tribute to Samudra Gupta[citation needed]. Following a long period of obscurity, where the land oscilated between being a minor independent principality and a vassal state . The land is also called Mallabhum after the Malla rulers of this place. The Malla rulers were Vaishnavites and built the famous terracotta temples during the 17th and 18th century at this place. The terracotta temples here are the best specimen of the classical style of Bengal architecture.
Bishnupur (the distance from Kolkata is 132 km), now the headquarters of the subdivision of the same name in Bankura district, is a seat of crafts and culture.
For almost a thousand years it was the capital of the Malla kings of Mallabhum, of which Bankura was a part, till their power waned during the times when Mughal rule weakened under the last monarchs of the dynasty.
The patronage of Malla king Veer Hambir and his successors Raja Raghunath Singha and Veer Singha made Bishnupur one of the principal centres of culture in Bengal. Most of the exquisite terracotta temples for which town is justly famous were built during this period.
Apart from the unique architecture of the period, Bishnupur is also famous for its terracotta craft and its own Baluchari sarees made of tussar silk.
Royal patronage also gave rise to Vishnupuri gharana (school) of Hindustani classical music and the Bishnupur school of painting.

Detail of terracotta relief from the Rasmancha
[edit]Geography

Bishnupur is located at 23.08°N 87.32°E.[1] It has an average elevation of 59 metres (194 feet).
[edit]Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[2] Bishnupur had a population of 61,943. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Bishnupur has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 77% and female literacy of 61%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit]Culture

[edit]Temples and other places of interest
There are many such temples which stand testimony to the exquite craftsmanship of the artisans of the region. The temples were crafted from the local laterite and brick. The temples are covered with terracota tiles depicting scenes from the epic Mahabharata. The temples are located in Bishnupur and across many other small villages in the Bankura district. These include:
Rasmancha: It is the oldest brick temple. Built in the late 16th century by King Beera Hambira. The temple has an unusual elongated pyramidical tower, surrounded by hut-shaped turrets, which were very typical of Bengali roof structures of the time.

Cluster of temples
Jorebangla Temple of Keshta Rai: Built by King Raghunath Singha Dev II in the 17th century. The ornate terracotta carvings are set off by the roof in the classic chala style of Bengal architecture.
Nandalal Temple
Radhamadhab Temple
Kalachand Temple
Radhagovinda Temple
Sarbamangala
Pancha Ratna Temple of Shyam Rai: Built in 1643 by King Raghunath Singha. The walls are richly decorated with terracotta carvings featuring aspects of Lord Krishna’s life.
Krishna-Valaram Temple
Mrinmayee Temple
Radhashyam Temple
Jor Bangla Temple
Radha Laljiu Temple
Madanmohan Temple
Madanmohan Temple: King Durjana Singh Deva built the temple in 1694 AD in the ekaratna style, a square flat-roofed building with carved cornices, surmounted by a pinnacle. Impressive carvings on the walls depict scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas.
Malleswar
Sanreswar
Radhalaljiu
Madangopal
Chhinnamasta Temple
Dalmadal Caman
Lalgarh
Lalbandh
Acharya Jogeshchandra Museum
Gumgarh
Pathar Darwaja (Main Gateway of Bishnupur)
Garh Darwaja (Small Gateway of Bishnupur)
Stone Chariot
Nutan Mahal
Birthplace of Shrinibas Acharya
[edit]Music
A school of music, called the Bishnupur Gharana, was established here in 1370 A.D and flourished under the patronage of the Malla kings. The school hit its peak in the 16th and 17th centuries. This style of music is rooted in the Dhrupad style and is still being kept alive in local academies of music.
[edit]Products
Terracotta is characteristic of Bishnupur. Apart from the temples, terracotta pottery, artifacts and even jewellery made in this very traditional material is famous. The potters here derive their inspiration from the glorious history of kings, soldiers and wars. Bishnupur is also known for its silk (tussar), particularly the Baluchari Sarees. Woven on unusual punch-card looms, these sarees have episodes from the Mahabharata woven into the border and pallu. Bellmetalware, conch-shell jewellery is also available here.
[edit]Festivals and fairs
There is a snake festival in August, Ultorath and the Bishnupur fair in December.