Bankura – Painting, Art, Terracotta temples, Baluchari Sarees

Bankura Town and nearby villages are famous for the Bankura Horse, a terracotta-crafted horse. This small town is also renowned for its historic paintings called Dashabatar Tash.

It is situated in the West Bengal state of India. Bankura district is a heaven for lovers of Paint, Art, Architecture, Music, etc.

BankuraRasmancha Terracotta Temple.

Terracotta temple art and architecture are seen widely here. The great Hindu epic of Mahabharatha references this city of Bankura, referred to as Suhmobhumi. The great Mallabhum dynasty has its capital at Bishnupur, which is 34 kilometers from Bankura. Bishnupur is famous for the 17th and 18th-century Terracotta temples and the Geo-indicated Baluchari Sarees, other than classical music and painting. There are around 16 to 20 old Terracotta temples in Bishnupur. Terracotta temples were constructed using laterite stones, which were available locally.

Joyrambati is another famous tourist center in the district, which is the birthplace of the Holy Mother, Sarada Devi (22nd December 1853 – 20th July 1920), wife of Great spiritual leader Ramakrishna Paramahamsa of Ramakrishna Mission (18th February 1836 – 16th August 1886). Joyrambati is at a distance of around 100 kilometers from Kolkotta, the capital of West Bengal state.

Geographically indicated Baluchari Sarees are also produced in this district. Mythological scenes from the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana and numerous nearby temple walls are weaved on the ‘Pallu’ of the Baluchari Sarees. Silkworm cocoons are explicitly bred to produce raw silk, which is then made into silk yarns, which are used in the weaving of Baluchari Sarees. A motif is drawn carefully into graph paper and then colored, punched, sewed, fixed, etc. Making one Saree takes around a week (sometimes more than a week, depending on the complexity); two weavers work on a week-long shift! Baluchari Sarees are considered a sign of aristocracy. Baluchari and nearby Bishnupur (34 kilometers from Bankura city) are the main production centers of Baluchari Sarees.

Mukutmonipur Dam, the second biggest earthen dam in India, is situated in the district of Bankura at Mukutmonipur, 55 kilometers from the district capital. The blue waters of this Dam and the surrounding areas make this place one of the best natural scenery in India. Jhilimili Hills, a nearby hill, is famous for its dense forests. Biharinath Hill is the tallest hill in the district, at around 450 meters in height. Biharinath Hills is located around 57 kilometers from Bankura city. Susunia Hill is another tourist destination, at around 50 kilometers distance from Bankura town.

How Do I Go to Bankura, the Heaven of Art, Culture, and Heritage?

Bankura district is well connected by roads and rail networks.

Bankura Railway Junction, on the Adra to Midnapore railway line, is the railway station in the city. Adra Junction and Midnapore are some of the other nearby railway stations in the district.

Kolkata International Airport is the nearest major airport.