The Bishnupur Temple Circuit is the only truly fascinating history trip you can take so close to Kolkata. Starting from Howrah, this 2-day journey takes you to Bishnupur in the Bankura district. It is only 140 km away. You must know that this old town is the best place for its amazing terracotta temples. The Malla kings built them a long, long time ago, between the 17th and 18th centuries. These temples are so important that they are on the list to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a very big deal.
Bishnupur means “City of Lord Vishnu.” It has more than 20 of the most amazing temples. They are made from a special red stone and terracotta bricks (bricks made from burnt clay). The temples have a special Bengali building style. You will see amazing carvings that tell the stories from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and the life of Lord Krishna. The artwork on the clay bricks is the best you will ever see. It is a fact that it has lasted for hundreds of years. The red ground in this area gives the temples their special red color. It is beautiful.
You must visit the most famous temples. These are the Rasmancha (built in 1600, it is the oldest brick temple), the Jor-Bangla Temple with its special roof that looks like two huts, the Shyam Ray Temple with its five towers, and the Madanmohan Temple with its amazing wall carvings. Every single temple has its own special design and amazing history. They are all the best.
Bishnupur is not about temples. It is the number one place for traditional crafts. You must visit Panchmura village. This is where you will see people making the famous Bankura horse. It is the true symbol of Bengali folk art. You must also see the weavers making the beautiful Baluchari silk sarees. And you must see the craftsmen making Dokra metal crafts using very old ways.
This is the best weekend trip, and it costs only ₹6,500 for each person if two people share a room. The only time you must visit is from October to March. The weather is always perfect for looking at the temples! You will have an amazing time. That is a promise.