Bishnupur is a heritage town, once ruled by Malla kings for almost a thousand years. The famous Terracotta temples were also built by Malla kings , sometime between the the 17th and the 18th century. Each and every temple in this region bespeak of excellent craftsmanship and intricate carvings. The terracotta tiles show many scenes from the Mahabharata. Apart from temples, the place is also famous for terracotta pottery and other artefacts. The famous Baluchari sarees depicting scenes from the Mahabharata on the border and pallu, are also created here. As far as celebrations are concerned, the snake festival, Durga puja and Kali puja are some of the main festivals of this town.
The majestic Raas Mancha, the earliest terracotta structure here, is the focal point around which many hotels, shops and offices have come up. It served as an exhibition gallery during festivals. Recognisable by their curved hut-like roofs, most temples have intense relief work on terracotta panels on their walls, a delightful documentation of Bengal’s 17th-century society. Women pampering themselves in front of the mirror, a couple coshing up under an umbrella and the ubiquitous dancing women indicate a culture that believed in the good life. Bricks were used in building these temples because no stone was available in the vicinity.
