Bishnupur (West Bengal) itinerary 1 nights /2 days

Rasmancha, Shyamrai temple, Jor Bangla temple

Published on 2021-10-10

Rasmancha, Bishnupur

Rasmancha, Bishnupur

Destination

urban

Airport

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport

Railhead

Bishnupur Railway Station

Best time to visit

November to February

  • Bishnupur, around 140km from Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal is referred to as the Temple Town of Bengal.
  • Bishnupur is the most prominent town in the Bankura district that gained prosperity and cultural prominence under the rule of the Malla Dynasty during the 17th and 18th centuries.
  • The beautiful temples, monuments and their ruins with exclusive Terracotta (crafted on baked earth) architecture have withstood the test of time. The temples of Bishnupur follow different styles of Bengal Temple Architecture, including both, chala (sloping roofed) and ratna (pinnacled) temples.
  • The terracotta temples have been in the tentative list of UNESCO heritage sites since 1998.
  • The town is also famous for its handicraft items and Baluchari sarees. Infact, the long-necked horse is a symbol of Bengal Handicraft and renowned all across the globe today.

  • Best time to visit - November to February. 

    Generally  “Bishnupur Mela” is organized during 23rd-27th December(7-11th Pous) every year for about a week. You could visit this time to enjoy the slice of rural Bengal.
    Every Saturday around 2 pm to 7pm, local artisans gather at the Poramatir Haat (temporary fairground) near Jor-mandir. This place is a shoppers’ paradise.

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How to Reach Bishnupur?

  • By Air - Nearest International Airport is Netaji Subhash International airport at Kolkata, which is 140km away.
  • By Rail -  Bishnupur is well-connected by rail to the rest of the country via Kolkata and Kharagpur. Trains travel to Bishnupur from Howrah or Santragachi Station (in Kolkata) via Kharagpur and Midnapore in under four hours’ time.
  • By Road - Bishnupur is well-connected to Kolkata and Durgapur. You can find a lot of buses to Bishnupur from Esplanade Bus Stand, Kolkata.
  • Distances of Bishnupur from major places in West Bengal:
    • Kolkata - 140 km
    • Durgapur - 70 km
    • Purulia - 110 km
    • Bolpur - 110 km
    • Krishna Nagar - 160 km
  • How to travel within Bishnupur - Walking and cycle rickshaws in combination is most suitable for exploring the prominent tourist spots. Toto (e-rickshaw) and auto-rickshaws are also convenient options available. E-rickshaws charge about 500 Rupees for a half day’s trip within the town.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The Rasmancha is the pride of Bishnupur. It is an exclusive architecture that represents Bishnupur.
  • Amongst all the temples and their ruins, the Radheshyam Temple is the only one where the deities are worshipped daily. The other places are mere monuments reflecting the glory of the Malla Kings.
  • The fair on Saturdays, called Poramatir Haat, is the most famous attraction for shoppers.
  • Baluchari Sarees, Dashabatar cards and Terracotta artefacts are most sought after by shoppers.

Itinerary

Day - 1 Arrival & local sightseeing in Bishnupur

Hotel location - Dalmadal para is the central location, wherefrom major tourist spots are within a radius of 7km.

  • Bishnupur Tourist Lodge (Property of Govt of West Bengal) -  Rs 2000 to 2500
  • Hotel Annapurna - Rs 2100 to 2500
  • Monalisa Lodge - Rs 500 to 1050
  • Bishnupur Youth Hostel  - Dormitories available under Rs.300

Explore more Hotels in Bishnupur

We assume the traveller would reach around 10 am and check-in at the hotel.

Rasmancha - Built by Malla king Hambir in 1600 AD, this is the oldest structure & landmark of Terracotta craftsmanship in Bishnupur. The temple stands on a raised square platform, supported by 40 pillars and 108 arches. 
2 km from Dalmadal Para.

  • Duration - 45 min here
  • Entry Ticket - ₹ 30 for Indian/ ₹ 200 for foreigners - This ticket also allows entry to other temples in the town, hence visitors need to keep the ticket safe for the entire time of the trip.
Museums in Bishnupur are closed on Monday
The Rasmancha
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The Rasmancha

Shyamrai temple -  Another 17th Century Temple, this was once a temple of worship dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is now a monument under the supervision of ASI. It is a ‘Pancharatna’(five-towered) brick temple known for elaborate Terracotta ornamentations. The decorative panels depict scenes from the life of Krishna and other stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata.

  • Duration: 30 min
  • Distance: 1Km from Rasmancha
Built by Raghunath Singha - Malla King
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Built by Raghunath Singha - Malla King

Gum-Ghar - This is a tall cuboid structure around 150mt from Shyamrai Temple. Made of bricks, having no doors or windows, it is believed to be the punishment-house for the prisoners of the erstwhile Malla rulers. 

Jor Bangla temple - Locally known as the ‘Kesto-Rai’ temple, the structure of this temple resembles two traditional sloping roofed huts fused together. All four sides of the temple are covered with intricate terracotta panels depicting stories from the Hindu Mythologies.

  • Duration - 30 mins
  • Distance - 500 metres from Shyamrai temple.
Built by Malla King Raghunath Singha in AD 1655
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Built by Malla King Raghunath Singha in AD 1655

Lunch at Monalisa Hotel & Restaurant - Although a small restaurant, this happens to be the most popular Bengali lunch. Veg & Non-Veg thali is available here, along with a wide variety of fish items and Postor-Bora. Be ready to wait in the queue on weekends for a seat in the restaurant.

  • Located 2 km Jor Bangla temple.

Poramatir Haat - If you are in Bishnupur on a Saturday, this is the place to visit in the early evening. The weekend fair is held between 2 pm and 6 pm at the grounds beside the Joramandir complex - 1km from the museum. Sellers gather here to sell terracotta and other indigenous art and crafts of the region.

  • Live performances by Baul, tusu, bhadu, kirtan, chhau and other traditional folk-artists can also be enjoyed here.
    Long-necked wooden horses are a trademark of Bankura DIstrict. Besides, ashtrays and conch shells made of terracotta, junk jewellery, idols of Gods and Goddesses and many items of home decoration are also available. You can also shop for textiles like Baluchari sarees and bedsheets that are manufactured at local handlooms.
  • You can also enjoy rural finger food like papad, ghugni and chop.
  • Jor Mandir: This is a complex of three Ek-Ratna temples, besides the fairgrounds.
  • Chhinnamasta Temple: This is a temple in the vicinity. The temple is dedicated to Devi Chhinnamasta - the goddess with the severed head.
  • Duration - 2 hours
Terracotta Handicraft
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Terracotta Handicraft

Overnight stay at Bishnupur.

Day - 2 Museum Visit & Return back

You can have breakfast at the hotel & can start your day.

Acharya Jogesh Chandra Purakriti Bhavan - A two-storied museum, housing around 100 sculptures from the 10th-12th century, 5000 manuscripts, terracotta figurines, different types of handicrafts and irreplaceable specimens of textiles. The music gallery displays photographs of these maestros of Bishnupur Gharana of music and their instruments.

  • Distance - 250mt from Bishnupur Tourist Lodge
  • Duration - 1 to 2 hours
  • Entry Ticket - Rs 10 per person

Dalmadal Cannon - This is a massive iron cannon weighing 112 quintals and a muzzle of 29.2 cm. As per folklore, Lord Madanmohan had Himself trigger the canon to drive Maratha invaders out of Bishnupur. The government has now sealed this cannon. The road between the cannon site and Jor-mandir is dotted with handicraft shops.

  • Distance: 800mt from the museum
  • Duration: 20mins
Dalmadal Cannon
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Dalmadal Cannon

After this small sightseeing trip, you may head back to the hotel for checkout. 

Things to buy/Shopping

1. Conch - The conch shell industry is very famous in Bankura. Artisans known as “Shankhabaniks” or “Sankharis” used to make designer conch bangles or “Sankha” for married Hindu ladies. Conches and ashtrays made of terracotta are also popular things to buy from Bishnupur.

2. Lantern -The lantern industry is also very popular in Bishnupur. Lanterns to decorate hotels, offices and own living rooms are a collectors’ delight.

3. Dashabatar Tash - Different incarnations of Lord Vishnu are handcrafted on cards that were used to play five-player matches during the Malla rulers. The Faujdar family of Bishnupur has been exclusively associated with unique folk art through generations. A set of ten cards is a perfect souvenir from Bishnupur.

4. Sarees - Bishnupur is famous for Baluchari and Swarnachari sarees. The world-famous Baluchari design was inspired by the terracotta motifs in temples. ‘Kanishka’ on Bishnupur College Rd, near Ramananda College And Museum, Dalmadal Para, is a famous and authentic shop to buy sarees. Timing - 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Mob - 9434934188/9734291353 

Suggestions & Recommendations

  • Rasmancha, Jorbangla, Shyamrai Temple & Radheshyam Temple are illuminated during weekends & Govt. holidays.
  • Museums are closed on Monday.
  • There are a couple of spots that you may want to visit if you have more time on Day1:
    • Mrinmoyee Temple - Right opposite the Radheshyam Temple, is the site of a 1000-year-old temple. As the old temple premise was ruined, the ancient deity was relocated to a newly built temple. Goddess Durga is worshipped here as Maa Mrinmoyee.
      • Distance - (500 m from Shyamrai Temple)
      • Duration - 15 mins
  • Baro Pathar Darja - Literally, the Big Stone Gateway, this is a gigantic gate that was the entrance of the Bishnupur Royal Kingdom. The fortified walls and the trench around the ancient fort of Bishnupur have withered away with time. But this magnificent double-tiered arched passageway still exists around 2.5km from Dalmadal Para.
    Duration - 15 mins
  • Lalji Temple Complex - Just next to the Kestorai Temple is the Lalji Temple Complex. It has a beautiful park with colourful plants and concrete benches. The entrance to the Radheshyam Temple, adjacent to the park, consists of a triple domed Islamic style gateway. This is the only terracotta temple where Nitya Puja (daily worship by priests) is done. Idols of Radha and Krishna are the presiding deity here. 
    Duration - 30 mins
  • Bishnupur Music festival is organized in February every year, with participants of classical music from across India. Bishnupur has its own classical music style, called “Bishnupur Gharana”. Pandit Jadu Bhatta was the famous singer of “Bishnupur Gharana” from whom Rabindranath Tagore and Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay had taken music lessons.
  • If you travel to Bishnupur in your own vehicle via Arambagh then you will pass through the dense forest of Joypur. The road is scenic and enchanting. Banalata Resort (14km from Bishnupur) in the forest is a weekend getaway in itself. You may stop here for a good meal. The place has its own farms, vegetable gardens, a watchtower and a lake. Rooms and suites are also available at the property for night stay.

  • Other Attractions near Bishnupur

  • Panchmura - If you have time on Day2, you can visit this tiny village, where families of artisans make items from clay. You can buy items of home decoration from the workshops directly. The village is 25 km from Bishnupur.
  • Jairambati / Kamarpukur - Around 45 Km from Bishnupur, Jairambati is the holy birthplace of Shri Shri Sarada Devi. Around 10Km from here is the village of Kamarpukur, where Ramkrishna Paramhansa was born. Temples dedicated to the divine couple in their respective villages attract devotees in large numbers. The places may be covered during the return journey to Kolkata from Bishnupur. The place is about 105Km from Kolkata.
  • Mukutmanipur - Around 75Km from Bishnupur, this is a popular picnic spot at the confluence of Rivers Kansabati and Kumari. It is famous for its necklace-shaped dam which is India’s second-largest earthen dam. The spectacular views of the surrounding hillocks and green forests are mesmerizing. Accommodation is available in mid-range hotels and Government guest houses.

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