Bishnupur is a town and a municipality in Bishnupur subdivision of Bankura District in the state of West Bengal, India. It is famous for its terracotta temples Bishnupuriya (Malla) Shree Krishna Raslilla and the balucheri sarees. The Bishnupur Mela is held every year around the last week of December, in Raj Darbar. Later on Highschool Ground. A recent addition is Bishnupuriya Ustav, held immediately after the Mela. It is a classical music and dance festival in recognition of the 'Bishnupur Gharana' in music. But the Bishnupur Utsab has been stopped due to some financial problems and other matters. There are many such temples which stand testimony to the exquite craftsmanship of the artisans of the region. The temples were crafted from the local laterite and brick. The temples are covered with terracota tiles depicting scenes from the epic Mahabharata. The temples are located in Bishnupur and across many other small villages in the Bankura district. Terracotta is characteristic of Bishnupur. Apart from the temples, terracotta pottery, artefacts and even jewellery made in this very traditional material is famous. The most famous of the terracotta products are the hand made beautiful jars, disks and the more famous of them are the terracotta horses, elephants, ganesha and nataraj. But nowadays the skilled artists and potters are not present and also they make different products like faces, men, wall hangings and also the mini sized Dal Madal Kaman (cannon). The potters here derive their inspiration from the glorious history of kings, soldiers and wars.'Dokra', one kind of metalcraft is also famous. Bishnupur is also famous for Baluchari Sari and Mallabhum Sari made of Tassar silk and was for almost a thousand years the capital of the Malla kings of Mallabhum. Woven on Jacquard punch-card looms, these sarees have episodes from the Mahabharata woven into the border and pallu. Bellmetalware, conch-shell and terracota jewellery is also available here. The "Dashavatar Taas", kind of playing cards depicting ten avatars of Hindu god Vishnu, is drawn by hand. It is a rare artistic piece not to be found anywhere else in India. There is a snake festival in August, Ultorath and the Bishnupur fair in December. Also durga puja and kali puja or diwali is celebrated with pomp here. The Rajbari Durga Puja (also popular as Mrinmoyee Maa er pujo) was started on 994 AD, which makes it the oldest Durga Puja in entire Bengal region including today's Bangladesh, Assam & Tripura.
