Bishnupur · Bankura
Jore-Bungla (Kesta Rai) Temple
Traditionally known as Kestaraya, the temple is famous for its structural features and exquisite terracotta embellishmen…
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Est. 1861 · Kolkata Circleकोलकाता मंडलকোলকাতা মণ্ডল
Guardians of Bengal's terracotta heritage
Custodian of 86 centrally protected monuments of national importance — from the storied terracotta temples of Bishnupur to the historic buildings of Kolkata.
Watch — heritage in motionFind a monument
86
Protected Monuments
1861
Established
160+
Years of Stewardship
30,000
Library Volumes
About the Circle
One of India's oldest custodians of heritage
The Archaeological Survey of Indiaभारतीय पुरातत्व सर्वेक्षणভারতীয় পুরাতত্ত্ব সর্বেক্ষণ was founded in 1861, and its Central Archaeological Library — one of the earliest of its kind in the country — still holds a reference collection of some 30,000 volumes. Today the Kolkata Circleकोलकाता मंडलকোলকাতা মণ্ডল protects, conserves and studies the centrally protected monuments within its jurisdiction.
Its crown is Bishnupur — the Malla-kingdom temple town whose ornate brick-and-terracotta temples are among the finest expressions of indigenous Bengal architecture.
Featured monuments
View all 86 monuments
Bengal's built heritage
Featured monuments shown using photographs supplied by ASI Kolkata Circleकोलकाता मंडलকোলকাতা মণ্ডল — each card opens the full monument detail page. Selection & write-ups to be finalised with the Circle.
Browse the monuments
Find a monument to visit
Browse the Circle's centrally protected monuments — ticketed and free-access sites, including those now submerged by river and dam projects.
New · Museum
Archaeological Museum, Tamluk
The Circle's museum at Tamluk, near the Tamluk–Panskura bus stand in Purba Medinipur. Its collection — antiquities from Natshal, Mahishadal, Contai, Tamluk town and Ichhapur — passed to the Archaeological Survey of Indiaभारतीय पुरातत्व सर्वेक्षणভারতীয় পুরাতত্ত্ব সর্বেক্ষণ in 2000, and is displayed across three galleries.
Visit the Museum page
Our work
Conserving, studying, sharing
Conservation
Scientific conservation that keeps protected monuments standing for generations.
Exploration & Excavation
Field investigations that reveal the region's deep archaeological past.
Antiquity Preservation
Custody and documentation of antiquities recovered across the Circle.
Academic Activities / Research & Fellowship
Research, fellowships and academic work in archaeology and allied studies.
National Mission
Work carried out under the national missions of the Archaeological Survey of Indiaभारतीय पुरातत्व सर्वेक्षणভারতীয় পুরাতত্ত্ব সর্বেক্ষণ.
Photo & video gallery
View full gallery
Heritage in motion
Films and walkthroughs of the Circle's monuments — on the ground and from the air.
Two DJI drone films supplied so far (Rashmancha, Shyam Rai) — transcoded for web and playable here. Further monument films to be added as the Circle provides footage.
Public participation
Found something of heritage value? Tell us.
Spotted an old coin, a sculpture or a carved stone? Share a photo and where you found it. Our team reviews every submission and, where it looks promising, sends someone nearby to verify.
Submissions go to ASI Kolkata for verification — nothing is published automatically. Please don't move, clean or dig at the site.
Notices & updates
What's new, tenders & publications
- 05 Jun 2026 Tender for conservation works at the Rasmancha, Bishnupur Tender & Quotation
- 28 May 2026 Museum at Tamluk now open to visitors What's New
- 19 May 2026 Corrigendum — supply of conservation materials (Sub-Circle Bishnupur) Order & Circular
- 02 May 2026 Annual report on conservation, Kolkata Circleकोलकाता मंडलকোলকাতা মণ্ডল — FY 2025–26 Publication
Planning a visit? Book your tickets online.
Secure e-ticketing for ASI-protected monuments and museums across the Circle.