Ancient Temple, Bahulara

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bahulara
Bahulara-Temple-Plan Bahulara-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

This brick-Temple originally a Jain Temple, now dedicated to Siddhesvara Mahadeva is one of the oldest of its types with sikhara of Nagara style. Probable date is c. 11th/12th cent. AD.

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Dalmadal Gun and the platform on which it is mounted

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Dalmadal-Gun-Plan Dalmadal-Gun
BRIEF HISTORY :

It is a big cannon made of wrought iron and believed to have been fired by the God Madan Mohan himself when the Marathas attacked Bishnupur. The cannon is mounted on a masonry platform. It is 3.8m long with a bore 28.6cm. c. 18th century AD. The gun is inscribed with Persian words.

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Gate of Old Fort

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Gate-Old-Fort-Plan Gate-Old-Fort
BRIEF HISTORY :

This gate of laterite stone was the inner entrance to the old fort of Bishnupur, said to have been built by the Malla King Bir Singha. Second half of the 17th century AD.

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Jormandir

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Jormandir-Plan Jormandir
BRIEF HISTORY :

Three laterite temples representing the prevalent local thatched hut-type and sikhara of North India are combined. It is known from the foundation stone tablet on the northern-most temple that the temples were built in 1726 AD by the Malla King Gopal Singha.

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Jor Bangla Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
JorBangla-Temple-Plan JorBangla-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

This temple of carved bricks represents two Bengal hut shaped structures joined together with a small tower on top. The temple os exquisitely carved with terracotta ornamentation depicting epic story, Puranic episodes and Krishnalila etc. Besides it consists of the vegetal and animal world and contemporary life. It is one of the best carved temples of Bishnupur.

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Kalachand Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Kalachand-Temple-Plan Kalachand-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

The design of the lower storey of this laterite temple is based on the thatched hut of Bengal and the tower is of North Indian type of Sikhara. This Ekaratna temple is enclosed by a double compound wall in bricks now in ruins. This temple was built by Raghunath Singh in c. 1656 AD.

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Lalji Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Lalji-Temple-Plan Lalji-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

This laterite temple of Ekaratna type with traces of decoration of plaster has a single tower resting on a square building with the curved roof, characteristic of Bengal Temple architecture, a combination of the North Indian and Bengal architecture. Inscription records its erection by Bir Singha in 1658 AD.

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Madan Gopal Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
MadanGopal-Temple-Plan MadanGopal-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

This laterite temple having five numbers of sikhara on a curved Bengal-type roof was built in c.1665 AD. It is the only Pancharatna temple in laterite in Bishnupur.

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Madan Mohan Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
MadanMohan-Temple-Plan MadanMohan-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

It is an Ekaratna Temple built on a laterite plinth and profusely decorated with ornamental bricks. This temple consists of a single tower on a square curved Bengal-type roof. It is enclosed by a high compound wall of bricks and a ruined Kirtansala on the south. The exquisite carvings on terracotta depicts epic and Puranic episodes and Krishnalila as main theme and the temple is one of the most elegant temples of Bishnupur. Inscription records its erection by the Malla King Durjan Singha in 1694 AD.

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Mallesvara Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Mallesvara-Temple-Plan Mallesvara-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

It is built of laterite and plastered, it consists of a tower on a square building with mouldings near the base and the oldest dated temple in Bishnupur. Inscription records its erection in 1622 AD by Malla King Bir Singha. It is the only Siva temple built by the Malla Kings.

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Murali Mohan Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
MuraliMohan-Temple-Plan MuraliMohan-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

This laterite temple of Ekaratna type consists of a sikhara on top of a square lower storey with curved roof characteristic of Bengal Temple architecture. Inscription records its erection by Siromani Devi (also called Chudamani), wife of King Bir Singha in AD 1665.

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Nanda Lal Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Nanda-Lal-Temple-Plan Nanda-Lal-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

It is built of laterite stone and has a tower resting on a square building with the curved roof characteristic of Bengal-type. It is datable to c. 17th century AD.

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Patpur Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Patpur-Temple-Plan Patpur-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

It is an Ekaratna temple, built of laterite. This temple has a lower storey of the thatched hut of Bengal-type and a tower above like the north Indian sikhara. It is datable to the second half of 18th century AD on stylistic consideration. Two images of standing Vishnu on both sides of the entrance to the sanctum are noteworthy.

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Radha Vinod Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Radha-Vinod-Temple-Plan Radha-Vinod-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

This is a brick-built Atchala temple consisting of a sanctum with a corridor on all sides. The roof is curved and is surmounted by a small hut like structure, therefore it is an atchala temple. The carved brickwork of this temple is of high order. Inscription records its erection in 1659 AD by Raghunath Singha.

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Radha Govinda Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Radha-Govinda-Temple-Plan Radha-Govinda-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

It is an Ekaratna temple, built of laterite and consists of a square lower storey in thatched-hut fashion of Bengal Temple architecture with a curvilinear tower above it. The facade of the temple is profusely carved. Inscription records its erection in 1729 AD by Krishna Singha. There is a beautiful stone chariot in the temple compound.

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Radha Madhav Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Radha-Madhav-Temple-Plan Radha-Madhav-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

This Ekaratna Temple is built of laterite and consists of a square lower storey with curved roof characteristic of Bengal Temple architecture and a north Indian sikhara on top. Plinth of a bhoga mandapa built of laterite stands in ruins to the west. Built in C.1737 AD. The temple has exquisite ornamentation particularly in its front wall depicting Puranic episodes, Dasavatara, animal and lotus symbols.

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Radha Shyam Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Radha-Shyam-Temple-Plan Radha-Shyam-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

This Ekaratna temple, built of laterite and faced with carved stones, consists of a square curved roof structure with a single tower and a fluted dome on top. Inscription records its erection in 1758 AD by Chaitanya Singha. Elaborate stucco ornamentation has enriched the temple.

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Rasmancha

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Rasmancha-Plan Rasmancha
BRIEF HISTORY :

Built on a laterite plinth, it is an impressive square building with a small shrine in the centre and three-corridor galleries with vaulted roofs enclosing it. The building is used for putting up idols from other temples on the occasion of Ras festival. It is datable to c.1600 AD.

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Shyamrai Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Shyamrai-Temple-Plan Shyamrai-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

This brick-built Temple is situated within the fort and consists of a square roof surmounted by five towers and is thus an example of Panchratna type. The central tower itself is octagonal enclosed by a octagonal corridor. The temple is the most profusely carved temple in Bishnupur. Inscription records erection by Raghunatha Singha in 1643 AD.

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Small Gateway of Fort

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Small-Gateway-Fort-Plan Small-Gateway-Fort
BRIEF HISTORY :

This small gateway of laterite commanded the inner entrance to the old fort of Bishnupur. It was erected in c.17th century AD.

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Stone Chariot

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Bishnupur Town
Shyamrai-Temple-Plan Stone-Chariot
BRIEF HISTORY :

This model chariot is built of laterite and consists of two lower storeys with arched opening and a curvilinear tower on top and has three stone wheels on each side. It may be dated to c. 17th century AD.

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Sailesvara Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Dihar
Sailesvara-Temple-Plan Sailesvara-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

The temple is made of laterite stone, which possibly had a sikhara of the Nagara style presently missing. The probable date of construction is disputed. R.D.Banerjee suggested first half of the 11th century AD while D.B.Spooner records AD 1346 attributing it to Prithvi Malla without much ground.

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Saresvara Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Dihar
Saresvara-Temple-Plan Saresvara-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

This is a laterite temple, which possibly had a sikhara of the Nagara style presently missing. The probable date of the Temple is c.11th century AD according to R.D.Banerjee while Spooner suggested AD 1346 attributing it to Prithvi Malla without any valid ground.

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Radha Damodar Jeu Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Ghutgarya
Radha-Damodar-Temple-Plan Radha-Damodar-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

It is a stone-built Temple Pancharatha in plan having affinity with the Orissan Temple architecture. It was erected probably in c.17th century AD.

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Gokul Chand Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Gokulnagar
Gokulchand-Temple-Plan Gokulchand-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

The Temple is situated within an enclosed compound. This is the largest laterite Pancharatna Temple of Bankura District, built during the reign of Raghunath Singha in c.1643 AD. The walls on the east and south have depiction of sculptures in laterite which include Dasavatara panels. Inscribed foundation stone is fixed on the facade.

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Ratnesvara Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Jagannathpur
Ratnesvara-Temple-Plan Ratnesvara-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

This is a stone temple of Siva with Sikhara surmounted by an amalaka. The Temple was probably built in the second half of c.18th century AD.

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Shyam Sundar Temple

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Madanmohanpur
Shyam-Sundar-Temple-Plan Shyam-Sundar-Temple
BRIEF HISTORY :

It is a brick-built Temple with a sikhara of north Indian type on top. It was built in c.17th-18th century AD.

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Rock Inscription of Chandra Varman

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Susunia
  Rock-Chandra-Varman
BRIEF HISTORY :

There are two inscriptions one engraved on the face of a rock and the other to the right of a wheel. The first records that the cave was the work of the Maharaja Chandravarman, the Lord of Pushkarana. The second says that the village Choshagrama was given as gift to one Chakrasvamin. The inscription have been dated to the 4th century AD. Susunia is a hill 443 m high extending 3.2 km east-west.

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A Mound and a Statue of Surya

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Pareshnath
 
BRIEF HISTORY :

The mound is submerged in water. It is reported that the area is of great antiquarian interest and has yielded a number of Jain and Hindu images including that an image of Surya.

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A MOUND WITH A JAIN STATUE

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Pareshnath
 
BRIEF HISTORY :

The mound of an old Jain temple is presently submerged and represented by a statue of Parsvanath.

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IMAGE OF DURGA SLAYING MAHISHASURA UNDER A TREE

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Sarengarh
 
BRIEF HISTORY :

The site represents the image of Durga slaying Mahishasura under a tree.

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TEMPLE SITE NOW REPRESENTED ONLY BY A MOUND

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Sarengarh
 
BRIEF HISTORY :

The mound area containing the remains of a temple is presently submerged.

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A MOUND WITH AN IMAGE OF NANDI ON IT

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Sarengarh
 
BRIEF HISTORY :

Originally the mound representing the ruins of a temple with an image of Nandi on it is now submerged and the Nandi is kept in a nearby area.

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A MOUND WITH STATUES OF GANESH AND NANDI ON IT

DISTRICT : Bankura LOCALITY :  Sarengarh
 
BRIEF HISTORY :

The mound containing the ruins of the temple is presently submerged and the statue of Ganesh and Nandi have been shifted to a nearby area.

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