Page 296 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

294  EASTERN INDIA

5 Bishnupur: Shyama Raya Temple

Bishnupur, capital of the Mallabhum kingdom
between the 17th and the mid-18th centuries, is
renowned for its elaborately adorned terracotta
temples, made of the local red clay. The most
imposing of these is the Shyama Raya Temple,
built in 1643. It is richly decorated with scenes
from Lord Krishna’s life as well as episodes from
the epic Ramayana (see p31). Other motifs in the
temple include scenes of hunting, boating and
military processions.

Front façade of the Shyama Raya Temple
KEY
1 The inner chamber, called
thakurbari (god’s house), has a finely
decorated altar at one end.
2 The cornice echoes the contours
of thatched village huts.
3 Shikharas, or the design of the
five spires, is inspired by the temple
tradition of nearby Odisha (see p310).
4 The curved cornice deflects
rainwater from the building.

Arched Façade
The arches, supported by squat, ornamented
pillars, lead to a vaulted corridor.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp697–8 and p711

294-295_EW_India.indd 294 26/04/17 11:45 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm