Bishnupur, West Bengal
Encyclopedia
Bishnupur is a town and a municipality
in Bankura District
in the state of West Bengal
, India
. It is famous for its terracotta temple
s and the balucheri sarees.
architecture. The legends of Bipodtarini Devi
are associated with Malla Kings of Bishnupur.
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 Empire
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 Bishnupur Gharana
(school) of Hindustani classical music
and the Bishnupur school of painting.
, 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.
, Durgapur, Asansol
, Kolkata
etc. There are regular and frequent bus services available between Kolkata and Bishnupur. The buses usually leave Kolkata from the Espalnade bus stand. The journey takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes. On a whole the journey is not very comfortable as the Buses ply through the undivided two-lane SH-2 (SH2 cannot be termed as one of the best maintained roads in the country), via Kotulpur
, Jayrambati
-Kamarpukur
, Arambag
, Champadanga
meandering through densely populated towns and villages all along the way.
Bishnupur is well-connected by rail to the rest of the country via Kharagpur
and Bankura
. Express and mail trains do ply between Kolkata and Bishnupur on a regular basis. The Rupashi Bangla Express, Aranyak Express and the Purulia Express are the most convenient trains to reach Bishnupur from Kolkata; these trains come via Kharagpur
(Midnapur) and take approx 3:30 to 4:15 hours to reach Bishnupur from Kolkata.
Within the city of Bishnupur, private auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are most convenient mode of communication. Recently CNG autos have been introduced plying through various parts of the town. These vehicles are environment-friendly, non-polluting, convenient, less time consuming and cheap mode of travel. Nearest International Airport is at Dumdum, Kolkata (Netaji Subhash International airport) which is 140 km away; a smaller private air strip at Panagarh belonging to the Indian Air Force is rarely used. A new airport is coming up in Andal (90 km from Bishnupur). It's expected to be completed in the next two years.
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:
, 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.
Bishnupur is also known for its silk (tussar), particularly the Baluchari Sarees. Woven on Jacquard punch-card looms, these sarees have episodes from the Mahabharata woven into the border and pallu.
Bellmetalware, conch-shell jewellery is also available here.
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
in Bankura District
Bankura District
Bankura district is one of the seven districts of Burdwan Division in the Indian state of West Bengal. The district has been described as the “connecting link between the plains of Bengal on the east and Chota Nagpur plateau on the west.” The areas to the east and north-east are low lying alluvial...
in the state of West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It is famous for its terracotta temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
s and the balucheri sarees.
History
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 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 BengalBengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
architecture. The legends of Bipodtarini Devi
Bipodtarini Devi
Bipodtarini or Bipadtarini is a Hindu goddess , worshipped in West Bengal, Orissa and surrounding areas. Closely associated with goddess Sankattarani and considered as one of the 108 Avatars of the goddess Durga, Bidaptarini is especially prayed to for help in overcoming troubles...
are associated with Malla Kings of Bishnupur.
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
Mallabhum
Mallabhum was the kingdom ruled by the Malla kings of Bishnupur primarily in the present Bankura district in the Indian state of West Bengal.-Extent:...
, of which Bankura
Bankura
Bankura is a city and a municipality in Bankura District in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the headquarters of the Bankura District.-Etymology:...
was a part, till their power waned during the times when Mughal Empire
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
weakened under the last monarchs of the dynasty.
The patronage of Malla king Veer Hambir
Veer Hambir
Veer Hambir, also known as Bir Hambir, was the ruler of the kingdom of Bishnupur in south-western Bengal from 1565-1620. He adopted Vaishnavism as the primary religious sect of his realm.-Sources:*...
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 Bishnupur Gharana
Bishnupur Gharana
The Bishnupur Gharana is a form of singing that follow the Dhrupad tradition of Hindustani music, one of the two Indian classical music forms. It originated in Bishnupur , West Bengal. The name of the town means "city of Vishnu" in Bengali...
(school) of Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
and the Bishnupur school of painting.
Geography
Bishnupur is located at 23.08°N 87.32°E. It has an average elevation of 59 metres (194 feet).Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, 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.
Language
Bishnupur is a predominantly Bengali speaking city. However English is also understood to a fair extent.Transport
Bishnupur is reasonably well connected via roads. Due to its importance as a tourism destination, it is basically connected to almost all major places of Bengal. Long distance buses connect Bishnupur to places like ArambagArambag
Arambag is a town and a municipality in Hooghly district in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the head quarter of Arambagh subdivision.-Geography:...
, Durgapur, Asansol
Asansol
Asansol is a coal mining and industrial metropolis and one of the busiest commercial centres in India. It is the second largest city and urban agglomeration in West Bengal after Kolkata and the 19th largest urban agglomeration in India. Asansol is located in the western part of the Burdwan...
, Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
etc. There are regular and frequent bus services available between Kolkata and Bishnupur. The buses usually leave Kolkata from the Espalnade bus stand. The journey takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes. On a whole the journey is not very comfortable as the Buses ply through the undivided two-lane SH-2 (SH2 cannot be termed as one of the best maintained roads in the country), via Kotulpur
Kotulpur
Kotulpur is an administrative division in Bishnupur subdivision of Bankura district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Kotulpur police station serves this block...
, Jayrambati
Jayrambati
Jayrambati is a village, in the jurisdiction of Kotulpur police station in the Bishnupur subdivision in Bankura district, West Bengal, India.-Geography:...
-Kamarpukur
Kamarpukur
Kamarpukur is a village situated in the Arambag subdivision of the Hooghly District in West Bengal state of India. It is famous for being the birthplace of Ramakrishna. It is the block headquarters of the Goghat –II community development block....
, Arambag
Arambag
Arambag is a town and a municipality in Hooghly district in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the head quarter of Arambagh subdivision.-Geography:...
, Champadanga
Champadanga
Champadanga is a village under Tarakeswar bloc and police station in Chandannagore subdivision of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal.-Economics:This is a rich agricultural area with several cold storages. Chief products are potato and rice....
meandering through densely populated towns and villages all along the way.
Bishnupur is well-connected by rail to the rest of the country via Kharagpur
Kharagpur
Kharagpur is an industrial city in India. It is located in the Midnapore West district of the state of West Bengal.Kharagpur was chosen as the location of the first campus of the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology . The IITs are the premier technical education institutes in India and...
and Bankura
Bankura
Bankura is a city and a municipality in Bankura District in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the headquarters of the Bankura District.-Etymology:...
. Express and mail trains do ply between Kolkata and Bishnupur on a regular basis. The Rupashi Bangla Express, Aranyak Express and the Purulia Express are the most convenient trains to reach Bishnupur from Kolkata; these trains come via Kharagpur
Kharagpur
Kharagpur is an industrial city in India. It is located in the Midnapore West district of the state of West Bengal.Kharagpur was chosen as the location of the first campus of the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology . The IITs are the premier technical education institutes in India and...
(Midnapur) and take approx 3:30 to 4:15 hours to reach Bishnupur from Kolkata.
Within the city of Bishnupur, private auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are most convenient mode of communication. Recently CNG autos have been introduced plying through various parts of the town. These vehicles are environment-friendly, non-polluting, convenient, less time consuming and cheap mode of travel. Nearest International Airport is at Dumdum, Kolkata (Netaji Subhash International airport) which is 140 km away; a smaller private air strip at Panagarh belonging to the Indian Air Force is rarely used. A new airport is coming up in Andal (90 km from Bishnupur). It's expected to be completed in the next two years.
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 lateriteLaterite
Laterites are soil types rich in iron and aluminium, formed in hot and wet tropical areas. Nearly all laterites are rusty-red because of iron oxides. They develop by intensive and long-lasting weathering of the underlying parent rock...
and brick. The temples are covered with terracota tiles depicting scenes from the epic Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
. 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.
- 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 Cannon
- 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
Music
A school of music, called the Bishnupur GharanaBishnupur Gharana
The Bishnupur Gharana is a form of singing that follow the Dhrupad tradition of Hindustani music, one of the two Indian classical music forms. It originated in Bishnupur , West Bengal. The name of the town means "city of Vishnu" in Bengali...
, 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
Dhrupad
Dhrupad is a vocal genre in Hindustani classical music, said to be the oldest still in use in that musical tradition. Its name is derived from the words "dhruva" and "pada"...
style and is still being kept alive in local academies of music.
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 Jacquard punch-card looms, these sarees have episodes from the Mahabharata woven into the border and pallu.
Bellmetalware, conch-shell jewellery is also available here.