About Jor Bangla Temple
Jor Bangla Temple, also known as Keshta Rai Temple, is a 17th-century terracotta temple located in Bishnupur, Bankura District, West Bengal. Built in 1655 by Malla King Raghunath Singha, it is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Notable for its distinctive Jor-Bangla architecture comprising two joined do-chala huts, the temple is renowned for extensive terracotta ornamentation and is a protected monument of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a compact laterite and brick temple complex featuring two interconnected hut-shaped structures with sloping roofs joined to form a single shrine. The exterior walls are extensively covered with detailed terracotta panels depicting scenes from epics, daily life and floral motifs. The temple stands on a raised platform in an open compound within Bishnupur town, allowing close viewing of the architecture and photography of the terracotta work.
Key highlights
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Classic example of Jor-Bangla (joined Bengal hut) temple architecture
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Built in 1655 by Malla King Raghunath Singha
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Dedicated to Keshta Rai, a form of Lord Krishna
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Extensive terracotta panel decoration on exterior walls
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Archaeological Survey of India protected monument in Bishnupur temple cluster
History of Jor Bangla Temple
Built in 1655 CE by Malla King Raghunath Singha, the Jor Bangla Temple represents the mature phase of Bengal temple architecture under the Malla dynasty of Bishnupur. It exemplifies the Jor-Bangla style, formed by joining two do-chala (two-roofed hut) structures, and showcases the region's renowned terracotta art that flourished between the 17th and 18th centuries.
Culture & Context
The temple is dedicated to Keshta Rai (Lord Krishna) and reflects the Vaishnavite influence promoted by the Malla rulers. Its terracotta panels illustrate themes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Krishna leela and contemporary social life, making it an important cultural and artistic landmark of Bengal's temple heritage.
Route
| By air |
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