'Rasamancha (1600 AD), Bishnupur, West Bengal, India' - by K J S Chatrath

 



Rasmancha is a historical monument located at Bishnupur, Bankura district, West Bengal, India. It was commissioned by Mallabhum king Hambir Malla Dev in 1600 CE. Its length and breadth are 24.5 meter and the height is 12.5 meter. The base or altar of the temple is made of laterite stone and upper part is made with bricks.





The building stands on a high platform and is held together in an intricate pattern of thin bricks with indigenous mortar of lentils, spices, milk, rice husk, etc. Low-arched corridors run across its length and breadth, surrounding the dark pyramidal sanctum while the dark garbhagrigha is devoid of any ornamentation or deities (source: https://www.cntraveller.in/story/guide-bishnupur-bengals-terracotta-town-near-kolkata)

Rasmancha was earlier a temple. The aim to build the temple was to celebrate Ras festival; during the festival, the idols of deities, were taken to this temple from all the nearby shrines. Till 1932, the temple used to exhibit all the local idols in the public and was also used to stage dances where different scenes of Krishna Leela used to perform. However, after 1932, the festival has been observed on the grounds of the popular Durga temple located in the near proximity.

The structure is standing on a raised platform and has a pyramidal superstructure. Apart from being only one of its kind in the country, Rasmancha is also one of the oldest brick temples in India. Although at present, the temple does not serve as a temple.

It’s maintenance and upkeep is with the Archeological Survey of India.





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