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Saturday, June 15, 2019

Madan Mohan Temple, Bishnupur, West Bengal

Madan Mohan Temple, Bishnupur, West Bengal
Madan Mohan Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Bishnupur Town in Bankura District of West Bengal State, India. Madan Mohan Temple was built by the Malla King Durjan Singh in 1694 CE. In 1820, the original temple was destructed due to a massive earthquake. After that the present temple was built. The Temple is located at about 2.5 Kms from Bishnupur Bus Stand, 4.5 Kms from Bishnupur Junction Railway Station and 3.5 Kms from Bishnupur New Bus Stand.





Legends
Madan Mohan Temple is probably the most famous because of the interesting story involving its deity. The original deity was installed in a village in Bengal. The fame of the deity spread far and wide after the personal visit by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the famous Vaishnava saint. So, the Malla king carried the idol to his capital at Vana-Vishnupur and installed him in a terracotta temple built for that purpose. Legend says that the deity Madan Mohan himself defended the Malla king in the battle with the 'Bargi' or Maratha invaders who attacked Bengal.



For brief details, please refer below link;

The Temple
There are seven Eka Ratna (meaning single pinnacled) temples located in Bishnupur. Madan Mohan Temple is one among them. In earlier days, all these laterite temples were all covered with stucco images. However, with passing of time, most of the stucco works are lost. The Temple follows the Eka Ratna style, a square flat-roofed building with carved cornices, surmounted by a pinnacle. It is relatively a bigger Eka-Ratna temple compared to other similar temples in Bishnupur and is important too.



Madan Mohan Temple is one of the most beautiful temples of Bishnupur. The terracotta panels that are found in this temple can be considered as the most beautiful among all temples in Bishnupur. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is called as Madan Mohan in this temple. It is a living temple enshrining the metal idols of Krishna and Radha.  The temple is square on plan and stands on a high plinth made of laterite blocks.



The temple has a square base of 12.2m X 12.2m and a height of 10.7m above a moderate platform. It has three arched entrances on three directions (east, west and south). The roof is sloping on four sides with a single sikhara (tower) in the centre, thus making this temple as Eka Ratna temple. The ceilings are carved with different designs. The outer walls and the pillars are all full of extremely beautiful intricately carved terracotta sculptures, depicting various scenes from the epics and Puranas. Most of them are related to Krishna and Krishna Lila.



The most notable sculpture is Nabanarikunja, where nine females form an elephant. The mandap called as Chandi Mandap, which is situated opposite to the temple also looks very attractive with a sloped chala type roof. The entrance of the complex also has the beautiful chala type sloping roof and has three arched entrances.



Connectivity
For brief details, please refer below link;
Location

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