Jor Bangla or Kesta Rai Temple: Bishnupur(2) -- Joy

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The "Jor-Bangla" or "Kesta rai" temple is famous for it's architectural formation and exquisite and elaborate terracotta art on the walls of the temple. The temple was built in the year 1655 A.D. by the Malla king Raghunath Singha. The temple is formed of two hut-type structure, each having sloping roofs and joined at the middle, to form a single structure. At the roof top
stands a tower of "char-chala" type. The structure stands on a raised, almost square plinth and is about 11.8 mtr. in length, 11.7 mtr. in breadth and 10.7m in height. The temple is heavily decorated with intricate terracotta works on it's outer walls and the facade of the porch. However there are no decorations on the inner side of the temples. The decorations are arranged in vertical, horizontal and curved bands filled with plaques or tile like structures in rows. The main faced of the template

with octagonal pilasters which rises to full height on either side of the three arched entrances. Above the entrance also exists this kind of pilaster decorations but half the height of the others and is arranged in groups of four. The wall bands are usually decorated with ornaments, flowers, different kind of patterns. Also the panel contains scene from epics, krishna-lila, hunting scenes as well as

contemporary social life. The excellentquality of terracotta art on this temple has made this temple, one of the finest among the terracotta temples in West Bengal, India.

P.S. - Char-Chala : In Bangla style of architecture, the basic form of the structures has a resmblance with that of a thatched hut. They are square or rectangular in plan and have roofs either sloping on two (do) sides or four (char) sides and are considered as the "chala" type. This chala roof might have another such "char-chala" structure above it and are also known as "at-chala".

References :

1. Archaelogical Survey of India, Kolkata Circle.

2. Bishnupur – S.S. Biswas [Archaelogical Survey of India 

Publication]

About Joy: A software developer by profession and working for IBM India, photography to me is my passion, way to relax and a kind of creative release. I like to capture day-to-day human activities, their emotions and hence my favourite genres are street photography and candid portraits.

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