More Temples

Sunday, 22 February 2015

Across the road from the 108 Shiva Temples is another walled complex of temples. This complex contains six main structures, and it would have taken a good bit longer than the time we had available to see them all.

Three of the structures in this temple complex. These are the ones we didn't have time to visit. The structures we did see are to the right of this photo.

The Pratapeshwar Temple -- the smallest, but the most finely detailed of the structures.

An example of the detailed terra cotta plaques that cover the Pratapeshwar Temple.

Another terra-cotta detail from the Pratapeshwar Temple.

The next temple we visited is the Lalji Mandir, which is in its own walled compound. There are actually 4 structures here. Behind me is an interesting shrine unlike anything else on the site (next 2 photos). The main building of the Lalji Temple is in the background. In front of it are one large mandupa (audience hall), that is connected to the temple by a small mandupa. The whole compound is so tight that it is difficult to get good photos of the buildings.

An odd shrine in front of the Lalji Mandir. It has the traditional Bengal four-slope roof, but it is covered with rounded stones into which are set a number of mythological creatures.

A closer view of the roof.

Flowers for the deities.

More offerings.

Krishna and Radha sitting on their throne in the temple.

The Lalji Mandir has both terra-cotta and stucco ornamentation.

Terra-cotta figures.

An example of looting. This portion of the temple corner was stolen within the last two weeks. Most likely it is now on the underground art market.

Similar in size and structure to the Lalji Mandir is the Krishnachandra Mandir.