Indian Columbus

Bishnupur, a town nestled in the Bankura district of West Bengal, India, is renowned for its 17th and 18th-century Terracotta temples and exquisite Balucheri sarees. Among the myriad temples that grace this land, dedicated to the beloved Lord Krishna, stands the unique Malleswar Temple, a homage to Lord Shiva. History: Once known as the Mallabhum region, Bishnupur thrived as the heart of the Malla dynasty. Unfazed by the tumultuous waves of Muslim and Mughal invasions, this region flourished under the reign of King Bir Hambir.  He introduced the worship of Madan Mohan (Lord Krishna).  It was during his era, and that of King Bir Singha, that the exquisite brick temples of Bishnupur began to grace the skyline. Stone was in short supply in Bengal. Probably, this lead to an alternative in the name of elaborately decorated terracotta temples. The Malla Kings built many such terracotta temples in the 17th and 18th centuries CE in Bishnupur.  Standing as an ...

Nestled within the serene town of Bishnupur in West Bengal, lies the enchanting Madan Mohan Temple—a testament to the region's rich history and architectural prowess. Located approximately 160 km from the bustling capital city of Kolkata, Bishnupur is renowned for its exquisite 17th and 18th-century Terracotta temples and the famed Balucheri sarees. History: Once known as the Mallabhum region, Bishnupur thrived under the rule of the illustrious Malla dynasty for centuries. Shielded from the tumultuous tides of Muslim or Mughal invasions, this kingdom flourished under the visionary leadership of Adi Malla, its founding patriarch. The golden era of Bishnupur dawned during the reign of King Bir Hambir, a time marked by the introduction of the worship of Madan Mohan, an endearing form of Lord Krishna. It was during his rule, and that of King Bir Singha, that the town witnessed the construction of magnificent brick temples, each a testament to the region's architectural sp...

Bishnupur, nestled in West Bengal's Bankura district, holds a significant place in India's cultural tapestry. Situated approximately 160 kilometers from Kolkata, this town is renowned for its 17th and 18th-century Terracotta temples and exquisite balucheri sarees. In this article, we delve into the architectural marvel of Lalji Temple, an Eka Ratna temple, located amidst the historic splendor of Bishnupur. History: The region around Bishnupur, known as Mallabhum in ancient times, flourished under the rule of the Malla dynasty. Unaffected by the Muslim or Mughal invasions, this area thrived under the leadership of Adi Malla, the dynasty's founder. Bishnupur rose to prominence during the reign of King Bir Hambir, who introduced the worship of Madan Mohan (Lord Krishna). Under his rule and that of King Bir Singha, the town saw the construction of magnificent brick temples. With stone in short supply, the Malla Kings turned to elaborately decorated terracotta temples...

Bishnupur, nestled in the Bankura district of West Bengal, India, holds a rich history dating back to the days when it was known as the Mallabhum region. This region, also referred to as the Bishnupur Kingdom, flourished under the rule of the Malla dynasty for centuries, largely untouched by the Muslim or Mughal invasions that swept through other parts of the country. Founded by Adi Malla, this dynasty saw its zenith during the reign of King Bir Hambir, who introduced the worship of Madan Mohan (Lord Krishna) and oversaw the construction of many magnificent brick temples. Due to a shortage of stone in Bengal, the Malla Kings turned to terracotta as an alternative building material, resulting in the creation of intricately adorned temples that still stand as a testament to their architectural prowess. Among the notable structures are the two gateways built in the latter half of the 17th century CE by King Bir Singha II. The larger gateway, known as the Pathar Darwaja,...

Situated in the Bankura district of West Bengal, India, Bishnupur beckons with its rich history and cultural heritage. Nestled approximately 160 kilometers away from Kolkata, the capital city of Bengal, this charming town is renowned for its exquisite 17th and 18th-century Terracotta temples and traditional Balucheri sarees. In this article, we embark on a journey to explore the enchanting Jor Bangla Temple, a masterpiece of architectural splendor nestled within Bishnupur. History: Once known as the Mallabhum region, Bishnupur flourished under the reign of the Malla dynasty for centuries. Despite the tumultuous period of Muslim and Mughal invasions, this region remained relatively untouched. Adi Malla, the dynasty's founder, laid the foundation of this prosperous kingdom. Bishnupur's prominence soared during the rule of King Bir Hambir, who introduced the worship of Madan Mohan (Lord Krishna). Under his reign and that of King Bir Singha, the kingdom witnessed the con...

Bishnupur, a quaint town nestled in West Bengal's Bankura district, is renowned for its exquisite Terracotta temples and Balucheri sarees, dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Located approximately 160 kilometers from Kolkata, the capital city of Bengal, Bishnupur invites travelers to delve into its rich cultural heritage. In this article, let's uncover the fascinating history of Bishnupur's oldest temple, the Mrinmoyee temple. History: In ancient times, the region surrounding Bishnupur was known as Mallabhum, or the Bishnupur Kingdom, ruled by the illustrious Malla dynasty for centuries. Shielded from the Muslim or Mughal invasions that plagued neighboring regions, Bishnupur flourished under the leadership of Adi Malla, the dynasty's founder. The town rose to prominence during the reign of King Bir Hambir, who introduced the worship of Madan Mohan, also known as Lord Krishna. Under his rule, and that of his successor King Bir Singha, Bishnupur witnessed...

Bishnupur is a town located in Bankura district in West Bengal state of India. It is located at a distance of around 160 kms from Kolkata, the capital city of Bengal. It is famous for the 17th and 18th century Terracotta temples and balucheri sarees. Let us explore a beautiful temple called Radhe Shyam Temple in Bishnupur in this article. History: The area around Bishnupur was called as Mallabhum region in the olden days. The region, which can also be called as Bishnupur Kingdom was ruled by Malla dynasty for many centuries. The Muslim or Mughal invasion did not affect this region much. Adi Malla was the founder of the dynasty.  Bishnupur rose into prominence during the reign of the King Bir Hambir. He introduce the worship of Madan Mohan (Lord Krishna). During his period as well as during the period of another King named Bir Singha, many beautiful brick temples were built.  Stone was in short supply in Bengal. Probably, this lead to an alternative in the name of ela...

Bishnupur, nestled in West Bengal's Bankura district, stands as a cultural gem, renowned for its 17th and 18th-century Terracotta temples and exquisite Balucheri sarees. Today, we embark on a journey to explore the enchanting Shyamrai Temple, a marvel of architectural brilliance. History: In ancient times, the region around Bishnupur was known as Mallabhum, or the Bishnupur Kingdom, ruled by the illustrious Malla dynasty for centuries. Shielded from the turmoil of Muslim or Mughal invasions, the dynasty thrived under the leadership of its founder, Adi Malla. Bishnupur flourished during the reigns of King Bir Hambir and King Bir Singha, who introduced the worship of Madan Mohan, or Lord Krishna. Their patronage led to the construction of numerous brick temples, marking the town's architectural legacy. With stone in short supply, the Malla Kings turned to terracotta, adorning Bishnupur with elaborately decorated temples during the 17th and 18th centuries CE. T...

Bishnupur, nestled in the Bankura district of West Bengal, India, stands as a historical gem, renowned for its exquisite 17th and 18th-century Terracotta temples and traditional Balucheri sarees. Situated approximately 160 kilometers from Kolkata, the capital city of Bengal, Bishnupur holds a rich cultural heritage waiting to be explored. History: Once known as the Mallabhum region, Bishnupur thrived under the rule of the Malla dynasty for centuries, largely unaffected by Muslim or Mughal invasions. Founded by Adi Malla, the dynasty flourished under the reign of King Bir Hambir, who introduced the worship of Madan Mohan (Lord Krishna) and oversaw the construction of numerous magnificent brick temples. With stone in short supply, the Malla Kings turned to elaborately decorated terracotta temples, shaping the architectural landscape of Bishnupur during the 17th and 18th centuries CE. Gumgarh: Amidst the historical tapestry of Bishnupur lies Gumgarh, a lesser-known monument s...

Bishnupur, nestled in the Bankura district of West Bengal, India, is a town steeped in history and cultural significance. Located approximately 160 kilometers from Kolkata, the capital city of Bengal, Bishnupur is renowned for its exquisite 17th and 18th-century Terracotta temples and traditional Balucheri sarees. In this article, let's delve into the beauty and uniqueness of a remarkable monument known as Ras Mancha in Bishnupur. History: In ancient times, the area around Bishnupur was known as the Mallabhum region and was ruled by the Malla dynasty for centuries. Despite the Muslim or Mughal invasions, this region remained relatively untouched. Founded by Adi Malla, the dynasty flourished under the reign of King Bir Hambir, who introduced the worship of Madan Mohan (Lord Krishna) and oversaw the construction of many beautiful brick temples. Due to the scarcity of stone in Bengal, the Malla Kings turned to elaborately decorated terracotta temples, which became a hallmark o...