cities

Bishnupur (West Bengal)

Open on map More cities Spin a random place Ask WorldAI

Facts

Rank

—

Coordinates

—

Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage

Media

From Wikipedia2,055 words

WBP editorial3

Crafting a Day‑long Temple Walk

Bishnupur’s temple cluster is best savoured on foot, allowing you to linger over the delicate terracotta panels that narrate everyday life from centuries past. Start early at the Rasmancha, a pyramid‑shaped pavilion that frames the sunrise and casts soft shadows across its stone steps. From there, meander to the adjoining Jor Bangla Temple, whose twin thatched roofs echo the vernacular village architecture. A short walk brings you to the Radha Shyam shrine, where the cool interior offers a respite from the midday heat and a chance to study the subtle colour gradations in the murals. Pack a light lunch of local rice flakes and mustard greens to enjoy on the shaded verandah of a nearby tea stall; the rhythm of the town’s slow pace makes the experience feel like a living museum rather than a checklist.

When Monsoon Turns the City into a Palette

September to early November is when Bishnupur’s dusty streets acquire a fresh sheen, and the surrounding countryside turns a vivid green. The monsoon breathes new life into the terracotta reliefs, allowing water to highlight the once‑faded outlines of mythic scenes. Local artisans use this season to stock up on raw clay for their famed terracotta craft, so a visit to a workshop provides insight into the material’s fluidity under damp conditions. The cooler evenings are perfect for sampling patachitra‑inspired street food, where the sizzle of hot oil mingles with the distant toll of temple bells, creating an atmosphere that urban tourists rarely encounter elsewhere.

Beyond the Temples: Music, Markets and Memory

Few visitors realise that Bishnupur is also a cradle of the Bishnupur Gharana, a classical music tradition that survived royal patronage. Thursday evenings at the municipal auditorium often feature a low‑key recital of dhrupad; the modest venue lets you hear the sitar’s resonance as if you were in a court chamber. Meanwhile, the bustling bazaar along the Bengal Road offers more than souvenirs: you’ll find hand‑woven silk saris dyed with natural indigo, and stalls where elders reminisce about the town’s 10th‑century founding myths. Engaging with these narratives provides a texture to the city’s layered identity that guidebooks seldom capture.

Introduction

City and municipality in West Bengal, India For other towns of same name, see Bishnupur. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "Bishnupur" West Bengal – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message) City in West Bengal, IndiaBishnupur বিষ্ণুপুরThe City of TemplesCityRadha Shyam TempleBishnupur TownJor Bangla TempleRasmanchaDalmadal CanonMaharaj Bir Hambir FlyoverBishnupur GateBishnupur Railway StationNickname: City of TemplesBishnupurLocation in West Bengal, IndiaShow map of West BengalBishnupurBishnupur (India)Show map of IndiaCoordinates: 23°04′30″N 87°19′01″E / 23.075°N 87.317°E / 23.075; 87.317Country IndiaState West BengalDistrictBankuraFoundation of Bishnupurest. 997 A.D.Founded byJagat MallaNamed afterGod VishnuGovernment • TypeMunicipality • BodyBishnupur MunicipalityArea • Total22 km2 (8.5 sq mi)Elevation70 m (230 ft)Population (2011) • Total75,000 • Density3,400/km2 (8,800/sq mi)Demonym(s)Bishnupurbashi, BishnupuriansLanguages • OfficialBengali, EnglishTime zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)PIN722122Telephone code+91 3244ISO 3166 codeIN-WBVehicle registrationWB-88Lok Sabha constituencyBishnupurVidhan Sabha constituencyBishnupurWebsitebishnupurmunicipality.com, bankura.gov.in/tourist-place/bishnupur/ Bishnupur (/bɪʃnʊˌpʊər/; Bengali: [biʃnupur]; alternatively spelled as Vishnupur) is a city and a municipality in Bankura district, West Bengal, India. It has terracotta temples built by the Malla rulers, historic Radha Krishna temples built during 1600–1800 CE and the Baluchari sarees. In 1997 the Temples of Bishnupur were placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site's Tentative list.

History

[edit] Main article: Mallabhum kingdom Bishnupur was ruled under the Gupta period by local Hindu kings who paid tribute to Samudra Gupta. Following a long period of obscurity, where the land oscillated 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 centuries at this place. The legends of Bipodtarini Devi are associated with the Malla Kings of Bishnupur. 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 the Mughal Empire weakened under the last monarchs of the dynasty. The patronage of Malla king Veer Hambir and his successors Raja Raghunath Singha Dev and Bir Singha Dev made Bishnupur one of the principal centres of culture in Bengal. Most of the terracotta temples, for which the town is known, were built during this period. Mrinmoyee temple of kings is treated as a valuable historic place. Recreational boat on Lalbandh, Bishnupur Lalbandh in a summer evening Royal patronage also gave rise to Bishnupur Gharana (school) of Hindustani classical music in late 18th-century and the Bishnupur school of painting.

Geography

[edit] 8km5miles\River[DwarakeswarZDamodar RiverTMadanmohanpurTPatit DommahalTMaynapurTHadal NarayanpurTGumutTGokulnagarTDwadashbariTBalsiPurbaparaTBaitalTAkuiTDiharTDharapatCTKotulpurMSonamukhiMBishnupurRJoykrishnapurRLaugramRAjodhyaRRadhanagarRPatrasayerRJayrambatiRJoypurRIndasRChatraRBhara   Places in Bishnupur subdivision of Bankura district in West BengalM: Municipal town, And District Town CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, T: ancient/ temple centreOwing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly Bishnupur is located at 23°05′N 87°19′E / 23.08°N 87.32°E / 23.08; 87.32. It has an average elevation of 59 metres (194 feet). This area has fertile, low -lying alluvial plains. It is a predominantly rural area with 90.06% of the population living in rural areas and only 8.94% living in the urban areas. It was a part of the core area of Mallabhum.

Notable persons

[edit] Charan Kobi Baidyanath is a poet and social activist from Bishnupur in the Bankura district of West Bengal. The Charan Kabi Baidyanath Mela is held annually in Bishnupur. Maniklal Sinha (1916–1994) was an archaeologist, writer, founder of Acharya Jogesh Chandra Pura Kirti Bhavan (museum) and Bangiya Sahitya Parishad- Bishnupur branch. Artist Amitava Pal of Bishnupur currently working on the revival of old style Baluchari Saree and has been recognized by the Reliance foundation.

Education

[edit] This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message) There are a number of well-known schools and colleges in Bishnupur. For higher education, there is a college named Ramananda College under Bankura University. There is also a music college named Ramsharan College of Music.[citation needed] The names of the schools are: Bishnupur Heritage School-CBSE Bishnupur High School (Bankura) Bishnupur Mahakuma Madhyamik Vidyalaya Bishnupur Krittibas Mukherjee High School. Sibdas Central Girls' High School. Bishnupur Parimal Debi Girls' High School. Kusumbani Jamundas Khemka High School. Bishnupur Mission High School. Nikhil Banga Sikshan Mahavidyalaya, Govt. B.Ed and B.P.Ed College Bishnupur Public School-High, a co-educational, English-medium (recognised by West Bengal Board of Secondary Education as a Listed English School Under School Education Department Govt. of West Bengal) Bishnupur Public Primary Teachers' Training Institute, A D.El.Ed. College (recognised by N.C.T.E. & Affiliated to West Bengal Board of Primary Education) Bishnupur Public Institute of Education, A D.El.Ed. College (recognised by N.C.T.E. & Affiliated to West Bengal Board of Primary Education) Bishnupur Public-Private I.T.I., An Industrial Training Institute (Affiliated to DGE&T / N.C.V.T. Govt. of India, New Delhi & Accredited by Quality Council of India and Approved by Directorate of Industrial Training Govt. of West Bengal) Bishnupur Public Institute of Engineering, A Polytechnic College (approved by A.I.C.T.E. and affiliated with W.B.S.C.T. & V.E. & S.D) K.G. Engineering Institute(KGEI) is a government polytechnic college; there are also Mallabhum Institute of Technology(MIT) is a private b.tech college affiliated to MAKAUT University and two private polytechnic colleges named Mallabhum Institute of Polytechnic (MIP).[citation needed]

Culture

[edit] Bishnupur Mela[edit] Bishnupur Mela Jadubhatta Mancha Bishnupur Mela is an annual fair of handicraft and cultural richness of region being held in Bishnupur since 1988. The mela is organised from 23-27 December at the High school ground, adjacent to the Rasmancha and the K.G. Engineering Institute Main ground and is organized by the Bishnupur Mela Committee in association with the district administration. Artistes, singers, musicians Suchitra Mitra, Bhupen Hazarika, Amjad Ali Khan, Ajoy Chakrabarty, Aashish Khan, Bappi Lahiri, Amit Kumar, Kumar Sanu, Anuradha Paudwal, Anupam Roy, Rupankar Bagchi, Mukunda Das, Anup Ghoshal, Haimanti Sukla, Nachiketa Chakraborty, Lopamudra Mitra and Iman Chakraborty have performed at the Bishnupur Mela. Classical dance artistes Sanjukta Panigrahi, Bihu of Asam, Manipuri dance have also performed in this mela. Shrutinatak by Partha Ghosh-Gouri Ghosh spoke. Jor Bangla Temple of 16 century in BankuraStone chariot of BankuraTerracotta relief in temple of BankuraTerracotta motif In 2018, the Bishnupur Mela was temporarily shifted partly to the temple complex of Bishnupur. The idea was to have Bishnupur Terracotta Temples at the backdrop of the main stage. Later on the Bishnupur fair shifted back to the previous place. The Bishnupur Mela was inaugurated with the Gharana Music sung.This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2026) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Temples and other places[edit] Main article: Temples of Bishnupur Garh Darwaja (Small Gateway of Bishnupur), Bankura, West Bengal, India The inner part of Rasmancha, Bishnupur, Bankura, West Bengal, India The Raschakra of the Syamaraya temple or Pancharatna Temple, established in 1643. Hawa mahal The temples were crafted from the local laterite and brick, and covered with terracotta tiles depicting scenes from the epic Mahabharata. The temples are located in Bishnupur and across many other small villages in the Bankura district. Rasmancha (oldest brick temple with an elongated pyramidal tower Surrounded by hut-shaped turrets) Pancha Ratna Temple of Shyam Rai Jorebangla Temple of Keshta Rai Radha Madhab Temple Madanmohan Temple Dalmadal Kaman Lalgarh Lalbandh Acharya Jogesh Chandra Pura Kirti Bhavan(museum) Bangiya Sahitya Parishad - Bishnupur Branch Gumgarh Pathar Darwaja (main gateway of Bishnupur) Garh Darwaja (small gateway of Bishnupur) Stone Chariot Nutan Mahal Bishnupur hawa mahal Memorial of Shrinibas Acharya Gour-Nitai Temple (Tejpal) KeshabRai Temple (Patpur) Music[edit] 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. Pakhwaj, Sitar, Esraj comprise the main instruments. Bengali Ragpradhan is one of the Classical items of this gharana.

Products

[edit] Bishnupur traditional lantern Terracotta is characteristic of Bishnupur. Apart from the temples, terracotta pottery, artefacts and even jewelry made in this very traditional material are famous. The most famous of the terracotta products are the handmade jars, and disks and the more famous of them are the terracotta horses, elephants, Ganesha, and Nataraj. But nowadays skilled artists and potters are not present and also they make different products like faces, men, wall hangings and also the mini-sized Dal Madal Kaman (cannon). The potters here derive their inspiration from the glorious history of kings, soldiers, and wars. Baluchari Saree[edit] Bishnupur is famous for Baluchari Sari. Woven on Jacquard punch-card looms, these sarees often have mythological scenes woven into the border and pallu. Baluchari sarees are woven using richly dyed silk with intricate motifs depicting Indian mythology and folk tales woven onto its large pallu. The motifs are taken mainly from the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata though a mild change has been brought in to cater to modern tastes. Baluchari saree In the year 2018, a fashion show with Baluchari Saree was introduced to promote Baluchari Saree at an international platform. Besides artisans got a huge income by selling crafts from the stalls of Mela. A recent addition is Bishnupur Utsab, held after the Mela. It is a classical music and dance festival in recognition of the 'Bishnupur Gharana' in music. It was stopped after 2012 but It started again on and from 2/2/2018 at Rashmancha. Das Avatar taash Bishnupur The Dashavatar Tash are a kind of playing cards that depict the ten avatars of the Hindu god Vishnu. They are traditionally round and are hand-painted on a backing made of layers of fabric glued together. They are made only by members of the Foujdar family of Bishnupur. Brass and bell-metal craft is still practiced in Bishnupur. Previously a unique alloy called 'bharan' was also used in Bishnupur, but it is no longer used. Bishnupur Terracotta horse Lanterns made of recycled materials are another local craft. Terracotta horses[edit] Bankura horses are terracotta horses that are used for religious purposes and also as decorative items. This art originated in the Bankura district. These horses are known for their symmetrical shape and rounded curves. The Bankura or Panchmura horse gained popularity among art lovers since it was depicted in paintings by M. F. Husain. Bishnupur Motichoor Laddu has received Geographical Indicator Tag (GI Tag) in the year of 2025.

Image gallery

[edit] Jor Mandir Complex, Bishnupur Chinnamasta Temple, Bishnupur Dalmadal Kaman, Bishnupur Jor Mandir (c. 1726) Radhamadhab Temple (c. 1737) Kalachand Temple (c. 1656) Jor-Bangla Temple or Keshta Roy Temple (c. 1655) Jor Mandir complex (c. 1726) Madan Mohan Temple (c. 1694) Radha-Gobinda Temple (c. 1729) Shyam Ray Temple (c. 1643) Bishnpur fort gate The gate of Rashmancha Stone chariot of Bishnupur HISTORICAL LALBANDH Bishnupur West Bengal Bishnupur skyline Bishnupur 1823, the capital of Mallabhum, drawing by Charles D'Oyly