imported>InesBaumgartner at 17:26, 22 August 2025

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{{short description|Temple in West Bengal, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Keshto Ray Temple
| native_name = কেষ্ট রায় মন্দির
| native_name_lang = bn
| image = Jor Bangla or Keshta Raya temple of Bishnupur. Built by Raghunath Singha in 1655 AD. 23.jpg
| image_upright =
| alt =
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| religious_affiliation = [[Hinduism]]
| deity = Keshto Ray (a form of [[Krishna]])
| tradition =
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| functional_status =
| governing_body =
| temple_board =
| festival =
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| location = [[Bishnupur, Bankura|Bishnupur]]
| locale =
| district = [[Bankura district|Bankura]]
| state = [[West Bengal]]
| province =
| country = [[India]]
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| coordinates = {{coord|23|4|18.15125|N|87|19|36.44350|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes =

| architecture_type = [[Bengal temple architecture]]
| architecture_style = [[Chala Style|''Chala'']] style
| founded_by = [[Raghunath Singha Dev|Raghunath Singha]]
| creator =
| established = {{Start date and age|1655}}
| groundbreaking =
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| date_demolished =

| facade_direction = South
| length = {{convert|11.77|m|ft}}
| width = {{convert|11.7|m|ft}}
| height_max = {{convert|10.7|m|ft}}
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| nrhp =
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| embedded =
| designation1 =Monuments of National Importance (India)
| designation1_type =Cultural
| designation1_offname =Jor Bangla Temple
| designation1_criteria =
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| delisted1_date =
| designation1_parent =
| designation1_number =IN-WB-11
| designation1_free1value=
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| website =

| footnotes =
}}
'''Keshto Ray Temple''',{{sfn|Ray|2016|p=88}} also known as '''Jor-Bangla Temple''',{{sfn|Ray|2016|p=88}} is a Krishna temple at [[Bishnupur, Bankura|Bishnupur]] city of [[Medinipur division|Medinipur Division]]. In the past, the Hindu god [[Krishna]] was worshiped as ''Keshto Ray'' in this temple.{{sfn|Ray|2016|p=90}} According to the Inscriptional plaque, the temple was founded by 51st King of [[Mallabhum kingdom]] [[Raghunath Singha Dev|Raghunath Singha]] in 1655 (961 ''[[Mallabda]]'').{{sfn|Ray|2016|p=91}} The temple is a great example of Jor-Bangla temple architecture, which belong to the [[Chala Style|''chala'']] style.{{sfn|Ray|2016|p=91}}<ref>{{cite web |title=BHID: Bishnupur Heritage Image Database |url=https://www.isical.ac.in/~bsnpr/jorbangla.php |website=Indian Statistical Institute (ISI)}}</ref>

The temple is the largest surviving ''Jor-Bangla'' temple. It is perhaps the most well-known [[terracotta]] temple in [[Bengal]].{{sfn|Ray|2016|p=92}} Currently, it is preserved as one of the archaeological monuments of India by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]].{{sfn|Ray|2016|p=88}}{{sfn|Ray|2016|p=91}} Since 1998, the Jor Bangla temple is on the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage Site's]] [[List of World Heritage Sites in India|Tentative list]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Architecture==
[[File:An old ticket of the Heritage Monuments of India by ASI.jpg|thumb|An old ticket for the heritage monuments of India, issued by the Archaeological Survey of India]]
A combination of Jord-Bangla, a class of [[Chala Style|''chala'']] style, and [[Ratna Style|''ratna'']] style are observed in the Keshto Raya temple, but the temple is mainly built in ''Jore-Bangla'' architecture. The structure of the temple consists of two houses built in ''do-chal'' style and a ''ratna''. The temple with its sloping roof incorporates basic elements of the ''Chala'' style, which was common in [[Hindu temple]]s in [[Bengal]] built during [[Medieval India|medieval]] period. The exterior and interior of the temple have been beautifully protected and preserved by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]].<ref>{{cite web |title=ASI, Kolkata Circle |url=https://www.asikolkata.in/bankura.aspx#Jor_Bangla |website=www.asikolkata.in}}</ref>

The temple stands on a stone platform, measuring {{convert|15.63|m|ft}} in length and {{convert|15.67|m|ft}} in width. It measures {{convert|11.77|m|ft}} × {{convert|11.7|m|ft}} and stands facing south.{{sfn|Ray|2016|p=91}} The height of the temple is {{convert|10.7|m|ft}} .

===Exterior===
{{multiple image |perrow=3/3|total_width=380|caption_align=left|image_style=border:none;|background color=#F7E7CE
| align =left
| image1 =JOINED TOGETHER - JOR BANGLA - BISHNUPUR - WEST BENGAL IMG 20171224 140219.jpg
| image2 =
| footer = '''Left''': The gap between the ''mandapa'' and the ''garbhagriha'' wall, '''Right''': A column of relatively small radius on the outside of the wall.
}}

The temple is a ''Jor-Bangla'' temple with a [[Ratna Style|''ratna'']], where two ''do-chala'' structures join to form a single continuous ''chala'', and above the junction of the two ''do-chala'' structures is a ''ratna'' built in the [[Chala Style|''Chala'']] style. The south side ''chala'' serves as the ''mandapa'' and the north side ''chala'' serves as the ''garbhagriha''. The temple is built on a stone platform.{{sfn|Ray|2016|p=91}}

The temple has three arched entrances, supported by 4 columns. The arches do not have [[voussoir]]s, a feature common to ''chala'' style temples. The northern wall of the temple also has three arches supported by 4 columns, but each arch is closed from the inside by a pseudo-wall.{{sfn|Ray|2016|p=92}} The northern wall's arches were not built as entrances or exits, rather, to enhance the beauty of the temple by keeping it similar to the southern wall or [[Façade|facade]]. Apart from the columns forming the arches, the outer walls of the temple have 16 columns of relatively small radius. Besides, a total of 4 columns are found on the wall, two each above the south and north arches. From a distance, it appears as though columns of relatively small radius support the roof (chala) cornice.

Although the two ''do-chala'' house i.e. ''mandapa'' and ''garbhagriha'' are connected to each other by ''chala'' or ''roof'', structurally they are not connected to each other by walls. There is a gap of 0.75 m (2.5 ft) between the walls of the ''mandapa'' and the ''garbhagriha''.{{sfn|Ray|2016|p=91}}

There is a square platform built of bricks in a V-shaped valley between the tops of the two ''chala'', which has a ''ratna'' or ''[[pinnacle]]'' on it. Consisting of ''char-chala'', the ''ratna'' is constructed in the ''Chala'' style.{{sfn|Ray|2016|p=89}}

===Interior===
There are three arched gateways to enter the interior of the temple, which are located on the south facing [[Façade|facade]]. The interior of the temple consists of two rooms, respectively - the ''[[mandapa]]'' and the ''[[garbhagriha]]''. Gateways provide access to the ''mandapa''. The two walls, 0.75 m (2.5 ft) apart, each have an arch, and the two arches are connected to each other by brick walls; as a result, the ''mandapa'' and the ''garbhagriha'' are connected to each other by a closed passage.{{sfn|Ray|2016|p=92}}

==References==
{{Reflist|3}}

==Sources==
* {{cite journal|last1=Ray|first1=Mrinmoyee|date= 2016|title=Icon - NMI Journal of History of Art, Vol lt 2016|location= Delhi|journal =NMI Journal of History of Art}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Jor Bangla Temple, Bishnupur}}
* Keshto Ray Temple as [https://www.isical.ac.in/~bsnpr/jorbangla.php Jor-bangla temple] on Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) website.

{{Mallabhum}}

[[Category:Krishna temples]]
[[Category:Temples completed in 1655]]
[[Category:Mallabhum temples]]
[[Category:Bishnupur, Bankura]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Bankura district]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Bankura district]]
[[Category:Temples in Bishnupur, Bankura]]

Jor Bangla Temple - Revision history

imported>InesBaumgartner at 17:26, 22 August 2025