• Jan 25 2016
• Admin
• 12
• 3332
• Travel

Rasmancha

The oldest brick temple, Rasmancha was commissioned by Malla King Bir Hambir in 1600 CE. The temple has one inner chamber housing the idols of Radha-Krishna.Rasmancha was built by Malla King Bir Hambir in 1600 CE. The temple has a unique and unparalleled structure. This monument stands on a raised square laterite plinth with a pyramidal superstructure. The temple is surrounded by smaller Bengali-styled hut-like structures. The temple has one inner chamber housing the idols of Radha-Krishna. The inner sanctum of the temple is enclosed by three circumambulatory galleries which are surmounted by a colossal pyramidal structure. Further, these majestic pyramidal structures are embellished with exquisite terracotta work and motifs. It is enclosed by a passageway. There are some big cannons that date back to the Malla period.Rasmancha was built in order to enable a mass scale worship of the deities during the Ras festival. This was a significant festival during the reign of the Malla kings. During this festival, images of deities from across the town were brought to this temple and venerated. The Vaishnava Ras festival was held till 1932 CE here before it was converted to a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). As this mammoth structure lights up during the night, it provides a mesmerizing sight to the devotees.Visitors can get the entry tickets for all the Bishnupur temples from Rasmancha including this one. Else, visitors are not allowed to enter inside the temples.