Ratneshwar Temple, Bilbari – The Temple

Ratneshwar Temple, Bilbari – The Temple

This temple is facing towards south and stands over a raised platform. The temple follows pancha ratna style of architecture. The temple has a square flat roof with curved cornices with a pinnacle at the centre flanked by four smaller pinnacles at the corner of the roof. The temple is about 10 meters tall. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Ratneshwar in the form of Shiva Linga. The entire facade of the temple is divided into series of two beautifully carved arches vertically above one another. The second arch is an overhanging cornice supported on nine twin tigers standing on their hind feet.

The smaller arch above supports a series of 24 tiny panels depicting the Dasavathara flanked by ganas, Narada, Kali etc. The arches up to the second tier are flanked on either side by a series of 14 vertical panels. The panels on the right show incidents from the Krishna Leela while on the left are scenes from the Ramayana. The base of the façade has rows of soldiers. The central panel shows a Nawab enjoying the presence of a dancing girl, typical Hindu marriage scenes, musicians playing musical instruments, Nawab with his followers, King and Queen, disciples following the Guru, etc.

The northern wall has a huge terracotta sculpture of Lord Vishnu in the Vamana avatar. The sculpture shows the three steps that Vaman took to subdue the demon king Mahabali. One points towards the sky, the second is on earth, and the third is firmly on the head of the demon king Mahabali thrusting him into Patala Lok. Unfortunately, only the legs of King Bali are intact, the rest has been severely damaged. Raslila scene can be seen above the sculpture.

The eastern wall has a large but severely damaged terracotta sculpture probably of the Shadabhuja Gouranga (a combination of Rama, Krishna and Chaitanya). There are huge terracotta sculptures of Gour Nitai and Radha Krishna on either side above the six-armed figure. There are also terracotta sculptures of Lord Rama and Sita below this figure. The western wall has a huge panel depicting Mahisasura Mardini flanked by  Lakshmi and Saraswathi. There is a terracotta sculpture depicting two hunters accompanied by a small dog and hawk above Mahishasura Mardini.