Terracotta temples of West Bengal

Radh Bengal is a region in West Bengal also known as the Temple Town. This region consists of arrays of temples in varying sizes and devoted to different gods and goddess but the common thread unifying this group is that the temples are constructed in terracotta. The region consists of following districts Birbhum, Bankura, Burdwan,Purulia and parts of Murshidabad. The construction style originated in 16th century and lasted till the 19th century. This period is also referred as a golden age of temple in West Bengal. Reason for development of this construction technique was that the region was rich in red laterite soil but was devoid of any construction worthy stone. These temples are baked terracotta panels or bricks. This particular style spread outside the present day West Bengal as well, to Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam and Tripura.

History

Religious landscape of bengal was dominated by Nagar style temple till 12th century and after that few centuries were dedicated to islamic religious building till the 16th century. After the throne was ascended by Malla Bir Hamad and became the disciple of Acharya Srinibash, which lead to establishment of of a Vaishnava culture. Establishment of the Vaishnav movement, especially Radha Krishna cult lead to the construction of terracotta temples in the region. Muslim rulers during this period were religiously tolerant and allowed the other religions to flourish which contributed in development of Vaishnav culture and construction of magnificent terracotta temple.

Construction Technique

Construction of the terracotta temple consists of a brick masonry core. In case of the walls, the brick core is made of horizontally laid bricks followed by a layer of lime plaster, on which baked terracotta panels are then affixed. Bricks are also laid horizontally on stretchers for roofing system of vaults and domes. For construction of arches the bricks are cut out is tapering manner to form voussoirs, the curved brick also aided in making vaults and swelled cornices as well. Major construction materials were fired bricks and lime mortar. Lime mortar was created by processing snail shells and for roofing a very hard traditional plaster was used. In some cases the decorative terracotta panels were embedded in the wall. Different shapes of bricks are also used in making contours and surface modulations in facade and contours.

Architectural Style

Terracotta temples is divided into four categories as per their architecture style and not the construction style - Chala, Ratna, Deul and Dalan. Deul style is a modified version of Rekha Deul from Nagara style temples, in which the sikhara rises up like a toved and is curved at the top. Chala style temple consists of a curved sloping roof, there are further variations in the style in which the number of chalas are increased or their formation is modified. Do Chala style has a roof sloping on two sides with a ridge at the top, another style is Jor Bangla which is composed of twin do chala attached to each other. Further modification of do chala is char chala which is a four sided sloping roof and then ath chala which is a char chala mounted with smaller char chala.