A Day in Bishnupur

Ranu Das
10 hours ago
2 min read

Bishnupur, the “City of Temples,” is a peaceful and culturally rich town in Bankura, West Bengal. Famous for its terracotta temples built by the Malla kings, it’s perfect for a short trip where you can enjoy art, history, and natural beauty all in one place.

If you just have one day at hand here's the perfect itinerary for you.

You can start at Rasmancha, known not only for its pyramid top but the beautiful arched terracotta gateways too. The famous Raas Utsav of Bishnupur used to be celebrated here, which gives the place its name.

On your way to the Shyam Rai Temple, you’ll spot Gumgarh. Local folklore says it was once a torture chamber, although originally it was used to store drinking water. If you take the lane opposite to the Gumgarh, you find the Shyam Rai Temple peeking through the trees. It holds UNESCO recognition for detailed terracotta art, showing scenes from Krishna Leela, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata, along with floral and geometric designs.

On your route to The Mrinmoyee Temple, you’ll find the ruins of Mahaprabhu and Jugal Krishor Temples. Opposite to the Mrinmoyee Temple is the Radha Shyam Temple, where worship still takes place everyday. Walk straight past it to reach the Kesto Rai Temple, popularly known as Jor Bangla. Its real name, however, is Kesto Rai Temple. ‘Kesto’ is a colloquial name of Lord Krishna, and ‘Rai’ refers to Radha.

A little to the right you will find the Rajdarbari Garden surrounding the old Lalji Temple. Then you will find the stone gate or Garh Darja, made of red laterite stone. Though the stones have aged, the gateway still stands strong as a proud reminder of Bishnupur’s glorious past. On your way back you'll also find the ruins of Rajdarbar and Hawa Mahal.

After that, you can head for lunch at Aami Bangali — and trust me, their Daab Chingri is a must-try.

After lunch, make your way to Dalmadal Road. The first thing you will see is the Dalmadal Cannon, which saved Bishnupur from the Bargi invasion led by Bhaskar Rao. After crossing the Maa Chinnamasta Mandir, you will see the Poramatir Haat and explore different types of handicrafts items including terracotta home decor and bottles, conceal crafts, handmade jewelry, handloom Baluchuri and Swarnachari and even Dashabatar Taash. If you're here on a weekend, you'll be lucky to enjoy live baul songs and Saotal dance by the bonfire. Across the haat you will reach the Jore Shreni Temples.

Your next stop can be Lalbandh, where you can take a boat ride during sunset. After a cup of tea you can head to Sayerer Paar to visit Tantibari (weavers house) and experience the authentic making of Baluchari and Swarnachari. You can also buy them at a handsome discount.

With its timeless temples, warm local culture, and peaceful landscapes, Bishnupur offers far more than a day’s journey — but even in just one day, it leaves you with memories rich in history, art, and charm.