Bishnupur Travel Guide

Located in the Bankura district of West Bengal, Bishnupur is a heritage city and one of the most sought-after travel destinations in West Bengal. Famous for its rich cultural heritage, music, handicrafts, handlooms, tales of terracotta, brilliant architecture, and other historical magnificence, Bishnupur offers a spectacular view from the nearest watchtowers with its dams, adjacent forests, forts, stone temples, terracotta temples, 7 gigantic size dams, and deep tunnels circumscribing the city from all around to enforce safety and ensure the security of the heritage city. This alluring temple town of West Bengal is proposed to be on the list of UNESCO World Heritage.

Gar Darja

As the name suggests, Gar Darja is a set of two gigantic gates giving you two proud gateways to enter the fort through these two stone-made fort gates. The first gate is smaller than the second gate. These serve as the entrances or entry gates to the fort and play the role of checkposts to get entry into the town.

As soon as you cross the small gate, the second gigantic gate comes. This was the main entrance to the Bishnupur Malla Kingdom. These two gates were erected to save royal families and Bishupur town from enemies. There are secret chambers in the second gate and a huge terrace on its roof. Soldiers and royal guards used to hide there to track trespassers and made sudden attacks on enemies to protect the royal kingdom.

Located at least 5 meters high from the ground, these two gates of Gar Darja welcome you to enter the city through their iron and chain-laced checkpoints. Only a single pedestrian or traveller can go through these at a time unless he or she takes the small laterite road or alley (located between these two gates) leading to popular attractions of Bishunupur. 

As soon as you go through one of these stone-made fort gates or drive along the small laterite road (located between these two gates) in less than a minute, Lalji Temple, along with adjacent Maharaja Bir Humbir Udyan (Garden), comes en route (at the left) to Radhshyam Mandir and Mrinmoyee Mandir. If you would like to explore the grandeur of ancient architecture, you should include it on your itinerary.

 Lalji Temple

Lalji Temple Constructed in the Eka-Ranta style by Bir Singha Dev in 1658, the Lalji Temple is a stone temple featuring splendorous stucco decorations on the outside walls of the temple on low-relief carvings. Bir Singha Dev devoted this temple to Radha-Krishna. Engraved walls, descriptive entrances, and ornamental arches describe various scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and other Indian mythologies and epics. A few terracotta panels used outside temple walls have disappeared due to the lack of proper maintenance.

Built on a square-raised plinth, Lalji Temple accentuates a different sentiment for its unique setting against an amazing-looking landscaped garden named Bir Humbir Udyan (Garden). Towering behind the garden amidst an enclosed walled compound, Lalji Temple explicates a unique architectural concept and socio-economic background of the then Rarh Bangla.

Radha Shyam Temple or Rādhāśyāma Mandir

As soon as you come out from Lalji Temple and walk a few steps ahead along the road (from Lalji Temple Gate) in the south direction, at the left side of your pathway, you can see Radha Shyam Temple or Rādhāśyāma Mandir, welcoming you with its wonderful terracotta orientations. Built in 1758 by King Chaitanya Singha, the temple is an example of unique eka-ratna temple architecture. The dome-shaped peak with stucco motifs depicts flowers, birds, geometric-shaped elements, and various important moments of Puranas and other Indian mythical stories through terracotta orientations. Besides, other important moments of the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Hindu Puranas are prevalent inside and outside the temple walls.

All panels and reliefs used on the outside walls not only break the monotony of plain temple walls but also reflect different moments of the then-human lives and images of Hindu deities from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and other Indian epics to evoke religious and spiritual sentiments among onlookers. Lord Krishna with Radha is the deity worshipped here in the form of Shyam.

Mrinmoyee Temple

At the opposite of the Radha Shyam Temple Gate, the oldest temple of Bishnupur, the Maa Mrinmoyee Temple, stands as an old testament to Bishnupur's ancient heritage. Goddess Durga is the deity worshipped here as Maa Mrinmoyee. The Durga idol is made of Ganga clay. Constructed by King Jagat Malla in 997 AD, this temple proves the Malla Kings as the devotees of goddess Durga. The credit for organising the oldest Durga Puja of Bengal (1021 years) goes to the Malla Dynasty with Maa Mirnmayee (Durga) Puja.

Jor Bangla Temple

Coming out from the Mrinmonyee Temple main gate, you need to take an opposite road leading to Jor Bangla Temple. It is less than 1 minute walking distance from Jor Bangla Temple. Malla King Raghunath Singh set up this temple in 1655. This temple can boast of its unique architectural design, resembling two thatched huts put together side by side to make it stronger, attractive, and eye-catching. Mounted on a single tower, this temple uses laterite bricks to prepare a one-meter-high platform or plinth for firmly erecting this temple. The exterior part of the temple uses terracotta sculptures and carvings to depict various episodes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and other holy Hindu scriptures. Besides, the expositions of the then human life, culture, social aspects, gods and goddesses, animals, birds, and flowers are prevalent outside stone walls.

Shyam Rai Temple

To reach Shyam Rai Temple from Jor Bangla Temple, you need to come back to the Minmoyee Temple main gate. From that point, you will get a wider pitch road leading to Bishnupur Ramananda College and K G Engineering College. You can drive or walk along it. If you drive, it will take a minute. If you start walking from the Minmoyee Temple Main Gate, you need only five minutes to come to a street junction. Stop there as soon as you reach the junction. Now, turn right to take the right side road and start walking along it. You will get to see a five-chura or a five-tower temple constructed by King Raghunath Singha in the ratna style—Pancha-ratna temple architecture—in 1643 AD. The Hindu God Krishna is the deity worshipped here in the form of Shyam. The idol of Radhika coexists with the Shyam idol for worshipping altogether. The roof construction is unique with a curved square shape and many curved edges. The ornamentation of terracotta sculptures is adorning the exterior and interior of the walls of this temple. Designs and sculptures of Krishna Lila and important episodes of Puranic literature are prevalent on the outside walls of the temple. Geometric designs and floral patterns are exquisite, rich, and complex.

Dalmadal Cannon

You need to get back to that street junction where you started for Shyam Rai Temple. Go ahead along the pitch road leading to Bishnupr High School and K G Engineering College. After going along the road for less than a minute, you will find another small road coming from the right side and meeting the pitch road. Turn right and take this road until you find another small road meeting it from the left side. Take that road and walk along until you reach the backside of Bishnupur High School. On the right side, you will have a distant view of Rasmancha. Come along beside the school until you reach a wide pitch road connecting the main road at Rabindra statue and Bishnupur Ramananda College (Degree). Don't take any turn (left or right); just cross this connecting road and go ahead along another road leading to Dalmadal Cannon and Chinnamasta Temple. 

After a 5-minute walk, you will reach the place where the Dalmadal Cannon is mounted on a masonry platform on the right side of the road. Raja Gopal Singha gets this huge cannon (of 3.8 meters) designed by Jagannath Karmakar (blacksmith) in 1742 at the cost of Rs. 1.25 lakh for fighting against the enemies. The approximate weight of it is 296 maunds (around 11,840 kg). It is a rust-proof cannon of 63 iron rings with an outer diameter of 66.5 cm. There is a myth that Lord Madan Mohan, the household god of the Malla kings, fired it to protect the town from the Maratha invader Bhaskar Rao. 

Maa Chinnamasta Temple

From the Dalmadal Cannon, you need to go in the south direction for less than a minute. You will come across Maa Chinnamasta Temple, located on the right side of the road. The temple is over 100 years old. Chinnamasta Mata, the Goddess of happiness and prosperity, is the deity worshipped here. She is one of the most renowned and lively deities known for fulfilling the prayers and desires of devotees.

Rasmancha

From the Maa Chinnamasta Temple gate, you need to come back towards the north until you reach the connecting road (College Road from where you started the journey for Maa Chinnamasta Temple). Turn left and take the connecting road (College Road) to go along it towards Rabindra statue. After walking for a minute in the right direction, you will find a wide pitch road named Rasmancha Road connecting College Road and State Highway 2 (Ahilyabai Holkar Road). Turn right from the college and take the Rasmancha road to reach Rasmancha.

One of the unique and unparalleled historical monuments and pyramidal superstructures of its kind, Rasmancha stands as a taste of the Malla dynasty. Built on a raised square laterite plinth of 1.5 m height (made up of laterite stone), Rasmancha contains a single inner chamber housing the idols of Radha-Krishna. The inner chamber is adjoining hut-shaped turrets with an elongated tower to ensure a hut-like structure. In 1600 AD, King Hambir established it with three galleries, amazing pillars, and mysterious arches ornamented with beautiful terracotta lotus motifs.

Visitors can collect their entry tickets from Rasmancha to visit all the temples in Bishnupur.

Modan Mohan Temple

Modan Mohan Temple is one of the must-see places and a unique historical temple of the ekaratna style architecture. You must include it in the itinerary. To easily reach there, you need to start from the Rasmancha gate, taking Rasmancha Road towards Modan Mohan Road. You need to come straight along this road until you reach Ahilyabai Holkar Road. Take a left turn to go in the west direction along Ahilyabai Holkar Road until you reach the point where a small road from the right side touches Ahilyabai Holkar Road and leads to Sankhari Bazar.  Take a right turn from the main road (Ahilyabai Holkar Road) and go along Sankhari Bazar Road for 5 minutes. You will reach before the Modan Mohan Temple. 

Constructed by Malla King Durjana Singh Deva in 1694 AD, this south-facing, eka-ratna-type Ratna-style temple stands on a strong, stone-built platform raising 1 meter high from the ground. Modan Mohan Temple is one of the most beautiful and famous historical temples built of bricks and poised on a laterite block platform. This Eka-Ratna temple is bigger than other temples located in Bishnupur. It contains beautiful terracotta walls, a square flat roof with curved cornices, a peak, and two huge pillars crafted with beautiful artworks and sculptures. Attractive terracotta walls and beautiful entrances welcome the devotees with their delicate carvings, artworks, statues, panels, and reliefs describing many Indian mythological stories of Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Krishna Leela. There is a big tree outside the temple resembling Lord Ganesh. Local people worship it and put vermilion while worshipping it on Wednesday. 

Lalbandh

Named after Lalbai (a Persian dancer), Lalbandh is one of the most famous and largest lakes among theseven large lakes. Malla Raj Raghunath Singha dug it in the memoriam of Lalbai, with whom he was very much infatuated. Out of his passion and lovesickness for Lalbai, Raghunath Singha took her under his protection and dug this to express his feeling of love for her. Other dams or lakes are Pokabandh, Shyambandh, Kalindibandh, Jamunabandh, Gatatbandh, and Krishnabandh. These dams would servethe purposes of water supply and protection of the Malla kingdom. 

Other important factors making Bishnupur an ideal holiday destination

Moreover, Bishnupur is known well across the globe for its traditional handloom sarees, classical music, paintings, pottery, artefacts, dhokra metal craft, and beautiful jewellery made of wood, dhokra, and terracotta. Bishnupur can boast of the Baluchari sari, various forms of artefacts, and the school of Hindustani music. Under the royal patronage of Molla Kings, the culture of music became so popular and famous here that it has its gharana called Bishnupur Gharana.

Snapshots and FAQs about the Vishnupur Trip

Do you need to get tickets to enter temple premises and other tourist hotspots at Bishnupur?

You need to take tickets to visit the majority of historical temples in Bishnupur. However, a few temples and tourist hotspots allow you to visit without a ticket.

Where to get tickets to visit historical temples in Bishnupur

From Rasmancha, you can collect tickets to visit all the historical temples at Bishnupur. Tickets to visit all temples at Bishnupur are available from Rasmancha. 

Best Time to Visit Bishnupur

As Bishnupur is a part of the Chota Nagpur Plateau and Rarh Bengal, it is extremely hot during summer. Therefore, visiting during winter is always advisable to save you from getting dehydrated. Anyway, Bishnupur is always open to the travellers.

How to reach Bishnupur from Kolkata

Bishnupur is well connected with Kolkata by railways and roads.

By Train

There are two railways from Kolkata to reach Bishnupur. One is from Kolkata to Bishnupur via Kharagpur. It is an express railway. You will get express trains from Sahlimar, Santragachi, or Howrah to reach Bishnupur via Kharagpur and Midnapore.

Another railway is from Howrah to Arambagh. You will have many local trains from Howrah. These can take you up to Arambagh. After getting down from the train at Arambagh Station, you will get many government buses, public transport, and private transport. Buses are available from the Arambagh bus stop, which is only 10 minutes away from the Arambagh rail station. Arambagah is only 59 km away from Bishnupur. A bus generally takes 2 hours (approx.) to reach Bishnupur from Arambagh. 

By Bus

You will have many government and private buses from Kolkata. A bus takes over four hours (nearly 4 hours and 20 minutes) to cover a distance of 138 km between Bishnupur and Kolkata.

Where to stay at Bishnupur

There are many hotels, lodges, and guest houses located near Rabindra statues and on both sides of College Road. You can choose luxury or budget hotels according to your affordability and choices. 

Where to purchase Baluchari sarees

Baluchari saree shopping at Bishnupur can be pretty cheap if you can purchase those from the Tanti houses (manufacturing units). Many Tanti houses are waving and manufacturing beautiful Balchari shares near Poka Bandh. When you walk along Ahilyabai Holkar Road facing west from Poka Bangh, Tanti houses come on the right side. You need to take the right-side alleys leading to their houses. As it is a direct deal between you and a Tanti without the involvement of a middleman, you can buy those at cheaper prices. The prices of Baluchari sarees normally range between 3000 and 50000.

Tourist hotspots near Bishnupur

Joypur Forest, Gokulchand Temple, Sareswar Temple, and Saileswar Temple are nearby tourist hotspots.

Special Notes

Mr. Saumitra Khan, the honourable MP of the Bishnupur constituency, has left no stone unturned for the development of Bishnupur so that it can achieve the credit of a heritage city of India. He introduced the matter to the Parliament of India to make it a heritage city and requested the honourable speaker to make all endeavours on behalf of the central government to recommend Bishnupur so that it comes on the list of UNESCO World Heritage. Bishnupur is about to grab these. The credit for these goes to the honourable MP Mr. Saumitra Khan.