Rasmancha Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest airport to Bankura is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, about 212 km from Bankura.

• By train

  Regular trains run from Kolkata to Bishnupur.

• By road

  Bankura is well connected by road to Kolkata, Asansol, Durgapur and Burdwan. From Bankura, take a cab, bus or train to Bishnupur.

Why devotees come here

Rasmancha is the oldest brick temple in Bishnupur, Bankura district, West Bengal. Malla king Hambir Malla Dev commissioned it in 1600 CE. It is on UNESCO's tentative list for World Heritage status.

Rasmancha stands in Bishnupur, a town in Bankura district. During the Vaishnava Ras festival, all the Radha Krishna idols of Bishnupur town were brought here to be worshipped by the citizens. The annual festival was held at Rasmancha until 1932.

Malla king Hambir Malla Dev commissioned the temple in 1600 CE, and it is the oldest brick temple of Bishnupur. It stands on a laterite plinth. The base is laterite stone and the upper part is brick. The building is square, with a small shrine at the centre and three corridor galleries with vaulted roofs around it. It measures 24.5 m long and wide and stands 12.5 m high, It also has hut-shaped turrets and an elongated tower.

The temples of Bishnupur are designated Monuments of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India. Rasmancha is on UNESCO's tentative list for World Heritage status.

Festivals

• Held at Rasmancha until 1932Vaishnava Ras festival

  The Radha Krishna idols of Bishnupur town were brought to the temple for worship by the citizens.

• 23 to 27 DecemberBishnupur Mela

  A fair on the high school ground next to Rasmancha.

Tips for your visit

• After dark, the glowing lights from the monument make a thrilling ambience.
• The Archaeological Survey of India lists the temples of Bishnupur as Monuments of National Importance.

Questions people ask