Bishnupur Jor Mandir

Bishnupur, a town in the Bankura district of West Bengal, India, is located about 160 kilometers from Kolkata, the state's capital. Renowned for its 17th and 18th-century terracotta temples and Baluchari sarees, Bishnupur offers a unique glimpse into the region's rich cultural heritage. In this article, we will delve into the beautiful and historically significant cluster of three temples known as Jor Mandir.

History:

In ancient times, the area around Bishnupur was known as the Mallabhum region. This region, also referred to as the Bishnupur Kingdom, was ruled by the Malla dynasty for many centuries and remained largely unaffected by Muslim or Mughal invasions. The dynasty was founded by Adi Malla.

Bishnupur gained prominence during the reign of King Bir Hambir, who introduced the worship of Madan Mohan (Lord Krishna). During his reign and that of King Bir Singha, numerous beautiful brick temples were constructed.

Due to the scarcity of stone in Bengal, the Malla kings turned to terracotta as an alternative building material, resulting in the creation of elaborately decorated temples during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Temple Architecture and Layout:

Bishnupur is home to seven Eka Ratna (single pinnacled) temples. The first in this group is the Nandalal temple, located near the Dalmadal Canon. Opposite the Nandalal Temple is a cluster of three temples known as Jor Mandir. Although these laterite temples were once adorned with stucco images, much of this intricate work has been lost over time.

Jor Mandir is a group of three laterite temples, all built in the Eka Ratna architectural style. Each temple is constructed on a raised platform, square in plan, with a sloping roof surmounted by a single shikhara (pinnacle).

Dedicated to Lord Krishna, these temples no longer house any deities. The central temple is elaborately decorated with stucco images depicting scenes from Krishna Lila and the Ramayana, while the other two temples feature plain exteriors.

All three temples in the Jor Mandir complex were built by Gopal Singha, a Malla king, in 1726 CE.

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