#rasalila

Shyam Ray Temple, Bishnupur, West Bengal

Drdha Vrata Gorrick wrote : For almost a thousand years Vishnupur was the capital of the Malla kings till their power waned during the times when Mughal Empire weakened under the last monarchs of the dynasty.

The patronage of Bir Hambir made Bishnupur one of the principal centres of culture in Bengal, through its exquisite terracotta temples which were built during his rule along with the rise of the Bishnupur Gharana (school) of Hindustani classical music and the Bishnupur school of painting.

I visited this beautiful town many years ago, as part of researching for a design project I was working at the time. Without a doubt this is one of the most amazing and almost hidden gems of art and architecture in Bengal and India. The minute level of details in the terracotta mouldings and the state of preservation was amazing to see.

Little Krishna