Bishnupur is a famous municipality in the Bankura District of West Bengal and located at about 132 km from Kolkata. It is famous for its terracotta temples and Baluchari sarees. The town has a glorious past that is reflected in its rich architecture, music, and handicrafts. It prospered in the 17th and early 18th centuries under the rule of a line of Hindu Rajas of the Malla dynasty. Bishnupur developed a unique form of architecture and has perhaps the most brilliant and detailed terracotta work in Eastern India that has withstood the ravages of time. The Terracotta tiles depict stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Temples like the Shyam Ray Temple, the twin shrines of Jorbangla and the Rasmancha are a must visit.
Bishnupur is also known for its traditional handloom sarees, pottery, artifacts, and jewellery made of terracotta, and the School of Hindustani Music which flourished under royal patronage along with the Bishnupur School of Painting. This style of music is still being kept alive in local academies of music. The history of Bishnupur can be traced back to 694 A.D, when King Raghunath founded the Malla dynasty. However, it was much later in 994 A.D that the place was named Bishnupur. The name Bishnupur is derived from the name of the Hindu God Vishnu. In addition to sightseeing and shopping, the classical dance and music festival called Bishnupur Mela hosted by the city every year is an experience that one should not miss.
