Shyam Ray Temple
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Shyam Ray Temple
| native_name = শ্যামরায় মন্দির
| native_name_lang = bn
| image = Shyamrahi Temple.jpg
| image_upright =
| alt =
| Peetham =
| caption =
| religious_affiliation = Hinduism
| deity = Shyam Ray
| tradition =
| organizational_status =
| functional_status =
| governing_body =
| temple_board =
| festival =
| festivals =
| tower =
| temple_tank =
| temple_tree =
| location = Bishnupur
| locale =
| district = Bankura
| state = West Bengal
| province =
| country = India
| map_type =
| map_size =
| map_alt =
| map_relief =
| map_caption =
| coordinates = {{Coord|23|4|16|N|87|19|27|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes =
| architecture_type = Bengal temple architecture
| architecture_style = Pancha-ratna style
| founded_by = Raghunath Singha
| creator =
| established = {{Start date and age|1643}}
| groundbreaking =
| year_completed =
| date_demolished =
| facade_direction = South
| length = {{cvt|11.4|m|ft}}
| width = {{cvt|11.4|m|ft}}
| height_max = {{cvt|10.7|m|ft}}
| site_area =
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity =
| inscriptions =
| materials =
| elevation_m =
| elevation_ft =
| elevation_footnotes =
| designation1 =Monuments of National Importance (India)
| designation1_type =Cultural
| designation1_offname =Shyam Rai Temple
| designation1_criteria =
| designation1_date =
| footnotes = {{sfn|Biswas|1992|pp=22–24}}
| website =
|designation1_number=IN-WB-25}}
Shyam Ray Temple (Śyāma rāẏa mandira) also known as Pancha-ratna temple,{{sfn|Biswas|1992|pp=22–24}} is a Krishna temple in Bishnupur town of Medinipur division in Indian state of West Bengal. In this temple, the Hindu God Krishna is worshiped in the form of Shyam; along with Shyam, the murti of Radhika (Radha) is also worshipped.
History and architecture
According to the foundation plaque found in the temple, the temple was founded in 1643 by King Raghunath Singha of Mallabhum. The Temple is built in the Pancha-ratna temple architecture, which belongs to the ratna style developed in medieval Bengal.{{cite web |title=ASI, Kolkata Circle |url=https://www.asikolkata.in/bankura.aspx#Shyamrai |website=www.asikolkata.in}}{{sfn|Biswas|1992|pp=22}}{{cite web |title=BHID: Bishnupur Heritage Image Database |url=https://www.isical.ac.in/~bsnpr/shyamrai.php |website=Indian Statistical Institute (ISI)}}
The roof of this temple is square and curved, with curved edges and five chura or shikhar (tower). The temple is known for its ornamentation, which adorns the exterior and interior of the walls surrounding this temple. The ornaments are mainly placed on terracotta plaques set into the walls. The walls of the temple are decorated with beautiful floral designs, scenes of Krishna-lila, episodes from Puranic literature, designs of geometric and floral patterns, and scenes of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.{{sfn|Biswas|1992|p=23}}
Currently, it is preserved as one of the archaeological monuments by the Archaeological Survey of India.{{cite web |title=ASI, Kolkata Circle |url=https://www.asikolkata.in/bankura.aspx#Shyamrai |website=www.asikolkata.in}} Since 1998, the Shyam Ray temple is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site's Tentative list.{{Cite web |last=Centre |first=UNESCO World Heritage |title=Temples at Bishnupur, West Bengal |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1087/ |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en}}
Gallery
File:Angular view of Shyamrai Temple.jpg
File:INTERIOR5 OF SHYAMRAI TEMPLE AT BISHNUPUR IN BANKURA DISTRICT.jpg
File:BP97WK - Shyam Rai Temple - Bishnupur - West Bengal.jpg
File:ShyamRai Mandir Bishnupur WB Description.jpg
File:ShyamRai Mandir Bishnupur WB Terracotta works False Door.jpg
File:Terracotta Work at Shyamrai Temple.jpg
File:Temple Shyamrai terracotta workings.jpg
References
{{Reflist|3}}
Sources
- {{cite book |last1=Biswas |first1=S. S. |title=Bishnupur |date=1992 |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |location=New Delhi |edition=2nd |url=https://archive.org/details/bishnupur00bisw |access-date=14 March 2024 |chapter=The Temples}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|Shyam Ray Temple, Bishnupur}}
{{Mallabhum}}
Category:Tourist attractions in Bankura district