India has a very rich history and culture. Every state, city, or district of India holds a fascinating piece of history. If you’re also interested in history, you’ll undoubtedly discover some of India’s best-kept secrets in faraway regions that will astound you with their tales and architectural designs. One such gem is in India’s West Bengal. A very beautiful, historical site situated in the Bankura district of West Bengal’s Bishnupur is Rasmancha.
Rasmancha: India’s Oldest Brick Temple
The distinctive Rasmancha monument, which was constructed in 1600 CE by Malla King Bir Hambir, features a pyramidal superstructure and an elevated square plinth of laterite. Smaller hut-like structures in the Bengali style encircle it. In addition to housing Radha-Krishna idols, Rasmancha has three circular galleries with a massive pyramidal tower atop them. A tunnel encloses the inner sanctum, which is embellished with ceramic work and ornaments. Large cannons from the Malla era are also housed in the shrine.
Every historic monument has its origin and significance, like Rasmancha, which was constructed to enable the worship of deities on a massive scale during the Vaishnava Ras festival. Ras Festival was an important festival that used to take place during the Malla kings reign. During the festival, the images of deities from all over the town were brought to this temple and were venerated. However, this festival was stopped after 1932. This happened before Rasmancha was converted to a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This majestic structure lights up during the night, providing the devotees with a mesmerising sight.
With a well-kept garden surrounding it, Rasmancha is the nation’s oldest brick temple and the only one of its sort.
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Fascinating Architectural Features Of The Structure
Bishnupur takes pride in the Rasmancha temple, one of the oldest monuments in India. This beautiful structure was constructed by King Hambir with rice husk mortar, red bricks, lentils, and milk. The temple’s construction is a stunning mash-up of many forms from around the globe, with the lower arches evoking Islamic flavours, the middle section like a Bengali hut, and the top resembling an Egyptian pyramid. It has a pyramidal crown at the top, 40 pillars with arches connecting to the ceiling, and a lovely carved statue of a dancing woman, man, and lotus. The architecture of the temple is a synthesis of various designs and styles.
Further, the temple has 108 entrances, towers, galleries, pacific pillars, terracotta lotus arches, a veranda, a garbhagriha, and other deity dwellings. The “Garbhagriha” room, which has a pyramid-shaped minar and circular galleries, is its distinctive feature. The naked eye may see terracotta carvings on walls and bricks. A lovely garden and a tunnel encircle the temple.
Also Read: A Vital Part Of Indian Heritage, Bishnupur’s Terracotta Temples Are On UNESCO’s Tentative List
How To Reach This Beauty In Bishnupur?
The historic town of Bishnupur, located in West Bengal’s Bankura district, has excellent air, train, and road connections to other major Indian towns. Travel, lodging, and services are all made convenient by the Rasmancha Temple’s central location. Imphal, Manipur, and Kolkata all have major airports within 30 and 140 km, respectively. Additionally, Bishnupur is home to a significant rail intersection that offers access to practically every region of the nation.
You should definitely plan a trip to this magnificent beauty in West Bengal.
Where: Rasmancha, Bishnupur, West Bengal
Time: 6 AM to 5 PM
Cost: ₹20 (for Indians) ₹250 (for foreigners)
Cover Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons