Bankura- Ranga Matir Desh

Terracotta Temple -Bankura

Bankura is one of the most important and attractive place with various tourist spots. The nick name of this district is “ Ranga Matir Desh”, Land of Red Soil. Amazing natural beauty of this place compelled us to think that the nature has dress up this district with its own hand.

This land refers as “Suhmobhumi” in the famous Indian epic “Mahabharata”. This district is unique link path between Chota Nagpur and other parts of Bengal.

As per the per-historic narration, this district is the inhabitant of various tribal groups who are the origin of India. The geographical set up of this district is consisting hilly lands and flat lands. Earlier days tribal were mostly depending upon their hunting. Thereafter, Aryans came to India and they taught these tribal groups about agriculture and cultivation. There after these tribal groups were also engaged in cultivation of land. It is also called “Rarbhum” as this was the part of a large Rarbhumi. The language of Rarbhumi is very sweet even in this present days. Thus time after time passed, the history of this district was become large to larger.

Terracotta art is found maximum in this district. According to this land is also called “Terracotta-r Desh”; the land of terracotta art. Still now so many samples are coming out under the earth by the help of Geological Survey of India.
 
 Malla rajas were first ruled this district since long time. So many arts, sculptures of Terracotta had constructed at that time. Thereafter, this district had come under the kingship of Bir Hambir. They were also ruled this district many years and after them, the kingship of the district was won under the Kashtriya rajas like Raghunat Sing. Lastly and finally it became free and formed as a district of West Bengal on and from 1881 under the British Raj. There are so many visible places in Bankura.
Bishnupur: This place is 152 km far from Kolkata and 34 km far from Bankura. This is now sub divisional headquarters of Bankura. This place is famous for its terracotta architecture, crafts and also culture. More than thousand years ago, this district was the capital of Malla dynasty. Malla dynasty was very powerful dynasty of Mallbhum but from the time of Mughal invasion their such power became to decrease.

 Bishunupur became grow as a famous cultural center of Bengal from the time of Mall Raj Bir Hambir and thereafter the trend was carry on by another Rajas like Raghunath Singh and Veer Singha. Most of the terracotta set up like temples were flourished at that time. Beside of that, Bishnupur was very famous for terracotta craft works and Baluchari Sarees which was made of pure silk and took the place in Indian mythology. Apart from these, Bishnupur rajas had given indulgence to Hindustani music ( Dalmadal), painting, etc. Bishunpur is also famous for its large number of water spots. There are more or less 16 terracotta architecture based temples of various god and goddess like Jore Baglow, Rasmancha, Madanmohan Temple, etc.

Forest- Bankura

Welcome to Bishnupur

Welcome to Bishnupur

Bishnupur of Bankura District is a place of art & culture. Bankura is one of the districts of West Bengal.

Bishnupur is famous for terracotta temples and also its Baluchari sarees. Bishnupur has its magnificent past history and also has glorious architecture. Music & handicrafts are like pottery and weaving. It was flourished in the early 18th century. It was ruled by Hindu kings like Malla dynasty. The terracotta works were developed at that time as an art form. This terracotta works are famous in Easter India.

Raghunath, the founder king of Mall dynasty in 694 AD and since then the history of Bishnupur are tracked.
Latter 994 AD, the name Bishnupur of this place was tracked; because the major people of this place were the worshiper of Lord Vishnu. From the name of Lord Vishnu, this place was called Bishnupur.

Bishnupur is about 132 km distance from Kolkata. We can reach there by bus, train or any other private vehicle. From Dharmatala bus stand busses are available for Bishnupur. Train is available from Howrah station and also from Santragachi station.

There are so many lodges and hotels to stay. Out of them some are Bishnupur Tourist Hotel, Meghmallar Hotel, Hotel Bishnupur, Monalisa Lodge, etc.

Rashmancha was built by bricks and Veer Hambir, the king was built this pavilion in 1600 AD. This is oldest brick built temple in Bishnupur. The shape of this temple like pyramid tower.  To make the decorative images of this temple used terracotta plates and good clay which was available in plenty.

The joint Bangla temple was built by Raghunath, the king of Malla dynasty in the year 1655. Here also we can see the decoration of terracotta plates.

The Pancha Ratna (five gems) temple was built by Raghunath, the king of Malla dynasty during 1643 AD. This is a most difficult sculpture among the Bishnupur temples.

The Madanmohan temple was built by the king Durjana Singh in the year 1694 AD. It is richly decorated and designed than other temples of Bishnupur.

In between 17th & 18th century, the Malla kings were built large ponds which attract visitors still now. The names of these ponds are Lalband, Krishnaband etc. These ponds were dug for storing water and supply to villages and town.

The famous Poush Mela ( winter exhibition) is generally called as Bishnupur Mela. This mela is generally held at the last week of the month December of every year and it continued more than four days. People of the near villages and also from the other parts of the country are come to this mela.   Few years back, started a new chapter as festival of classical music and dance according to the Bishnupur culture.

There are various shops for selling terracotta Pottery & Artefacts and terracotta jewellery at Bishnupur. Moreover, worthwhile craft and gift items made on dokra metal are also famous.

Bshinipu Silk Sharee

Another attract item of Bishnupur is Baluchari Sarees. This kind of sarees is famous in India. Most of the Indian ladies are like to ware sarees in different style. This kind of sarees is creating by the best tantis of Bishnupur on their looms. This is cottage industries of Bishnupur. Huge tanties are engaged to make this kind of sarees. The border of this saree is display the part of the epic like Ramayana or  Mahabharata.

The music gharana of Bishnupur is very old. Raghunath Sing the king of Malla dynasty, requested to Bahadur Khan to come and stay at Bishnupur and enriched the Bishnupur gharana of music. Bahadur Khan was a great singer of that time and he was also successor of grate singer Tansen Bahadur. This gharana is still alive and carried by the new generation.

Bishnupur Terracotta

Bishnupur Terracotta Horses

Bishnupur Classical  Dance

So come India and visit Bishnupur which is known as the place of ancient history, art & culture, music & dance of oldest format of Bishnupur.