The terracotta temples of Bishnupur

SS-Traveller · 3rd April 2009, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by amajumder

I went inside Anubhab to see how these fascinating sarees are weaved.

Old memories once again. Even found a pic of our visit to Anuvab (sic.)

The terracotta temples of Bishnupur-kolkata-may07-59.jpg

and another weaver called Kaniska (sic.), who gave us a better deal in prices,

The terracotta temples of Bishnupur-kolkata-may07-54.jpg

as well as a not-so-good pic of the silk and gold threads used to weave the sarees.

The terracotta temples of Bishnupur-kolkata-may07-58.jpg

My wife, with her encyclopaedic knowledge of sarees, tells me that Swarnachari is a Baluchari containing zari or gold thread.

A diamond-encrusted Ferrari is still called a Ferrari!

Sudipto-S-Team · 4th April 2009, 11:17

SS
Your wife is absolutely right and correct.

To add just a bit to this, Swarnachari (zari on silk) is a modern invention of the weavers. Traditional Balucharis are silk on silk. They also make cotton on cotton.
Some purists don't like Swarnacharis because they are more gaudy. Original Balucharis are supposed to be more subtle.
I absolutely loathed and detested the way these two saree shops have painted virtually every wall in the town with their advertisements. They are like Coke-Pepsi of Balucharis in Bishnupur and have soiled the entire town.
Incidentally, the actual weavers are some of the most exploited unorganised workers in the world. What you saw in their showroom is to attract tourists. The actual weavers in the villages get a maximum of Rs 200 for making one saree that takes 5/6 days for the entire family to make. Most weavers have now taken to other professions these days like pulling rickshaw etc. This is not just in Bishnupur but in entire West Bengal, where we have a communist government for the last 35 years.

rahul4640 · 3rd January 2013, 21:05

Sorry to dig up an old thread but just wished to inform all members that had returned from Bishnupur a couple of days earlier and the roads from Calcutta to Arambagh town were not very good. Any member of this forum going to Bishnupur from Calcutta is requested to please take the Bardhaman-Arambagh Road instead, instead of travelling via the shorter road (via Champadanga). Although it adds almost 40 KM to your clock, this road is presently in good shape, is much wider and thus you may also avoid three busy railway level crossings.

Sutripta · 3rd January 2013, 21:39

^^^
Are you referring to the Seakhala route? The Seakhala route was bad, but I found the Tarakeswar route to Arambagh quite OK.

Regards
Sutripta

rahul4640 · 3rd January 2013, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sutripta

Are you referring to the Seakhala route? The Seakhala route was bad, but I found the Tarakeswar route to Arambagh quite OK.

Yes Sutiptada, the Seakhola route is even worse. But I did not like the Tarakeswar-Arambagh stretch either. It also had too many potholes.

Sutripta · 6th February 2013, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by rahul4640

Yes Sutiptada, the Seakhola route is even worse. But I did not like the Tarakeswar-Arambagh stretch either. It also had too many potholes.

You are right.
Did Barddhaman - Arambag - Champadanga - Tarakeswar - Singur on Sunday. Arambag - Champadanga was bad. Rest OK.

Regards
Sutripta

VLOCT · 8th February 2013, 06:16

Absolutely gorgeous, Sudipto. The temples looks like a dream.

Sudipto-S-Team · 8th February 2013, 06:40

Thanks VLOCT and sorry Sutriptada that I have been busy birding in the weekends and couldn't accompany you

rahul4640 · 14th May 2014, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sutripta

Did Barddhaman - Arambag - Champadanga - Tarakeswar - Singur on Sunday. Arambag - Champadanga was bad. Rest OK.

Respected Sutriptada,
Revived this thread, as you made this posting over almost a year and a half ago, thought that some update should be posted. Did a quick trip to Bishnupur. The road is in fair shape, except for a short stretch of about two KMs somewhere before Kotulpur. Champadanga-Arambagh section is specially excellent and it is almost a joy to drive. Please have a trip on this route. You will surely like it.
Regards,
Rahul

gearhead_mait · 13th August 2014, 16:16

Taking on this trip this long weekend (15th Aug- 17th Aug). Maybe a few places more. Will share the details/update.

saket77 · 13th August 2014, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead_mait

Taking on this trip this long weekend (15th Aug- 17th Aug). Maybe a few places more. Will share the details/update.

Was fascinated by this thread even before. But somehow, could not visit the place. Once you are done with the trip, please do come up with a travelogue and the road conditions. I may plan my visit sometime later this year.

Thanks,
Saket

gearhead_mait · 13th August 2014, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by saket77

Was fascinated by this thread even before. But somehow, could not visit the place. Once you are done with the trip, please do come up with a travelogue and the road conditions. I may plan my visit sometime later this year.

Thanks,
Saket

I will write a travelogue for this trip with necessary updates and pics. Thanks!
Are you giving this long weekend a miss? No trips?

saket77 · 13th August 2014, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead_mait

I will write a travelogue for this trip with necessary updates and pics. Thanks!
Are you giving this long weekend a miss? No trips?

Forget weekend...I am off to Puri tomorrow

This will be my first trip to Puri. If I like the place, will write about it too. Thanks!

Saket

gearhead_mait · 13th August 2014, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by saket77

Forget weekend...I am off to Puri tomorrow

This will be my first trip to Puri. If I like the place, will write about it too. Thanks!

Saket

Great! Best wishes from my side. Do visit the chilka lake in monsoon.
I heard that the marine drive (near Konark) is awesome. Give that a try too.

noidea · 13th August 2014, 17:42

If you chaps are planning to return on the 17th, do stop by at Tempstore Dhaba, about 10 KM short of Kolaghat crossing, for lunch. You are going to meet a whole bunch of like minded travellers.
I am sure you will have a great time exchanging notes and stories.

4th April 2009, 11:17	#32
Sudipto-S-Team Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,320 Thanked: 290 Times View My Garage	SS Your wife is absolutely right and correct. To add just a bit to this, Swarnachari (zari on silk) is a modern invention of the weavers. Traditional Balucharis are silk on silk. They also make cotton on cotton. Some purists don't like Swarnacharis because they are more gaudy. Original Balucharis are supposed to be more subtle. I absolutely loathed and detested the way these two saree shops have painted virtually every wall in the town with their advertisements. They are like Coke-Pepsi of Balucharis in Bishnupur and have soiled the entire town. Incidentally, the actual weavers are some of the most exploited unorganised workers in the world. What you saw in their showroom is to attract tourists. The actual weavers in the villages get a maximum of Rs 200 for making one saree that takes 5/6 days for the entire family to make. Most weavers have now taken to other professions these days like pulling rickshaw etc. This is not just in Bishnupur but in entire West Bengal, where we have a communist government for the last 35 years. Last edited by Sudipto-S-Team : 4th April 2009 at 11:21.
	() Thanks

3rd January 2013, 21:05	#33
rahul4640 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Calcutta Posts: 525 Thanked: 429 Times View My Garage	Re: The terracotta temples of Bishnupur Sorry to dig up an old thread but just wished to inform all members that had returned from Bishnupur a couple of days earlier and the roads from Calcutta to Arambagh town were not very good. Any member of this forum going to Bishnupur from Calcutta is requested to please take the Bardhaman-Arambagh Road instead, instead of travelling via the shorter road (via Champadanga). Although it adds almost 40 KM to your clock, this road is presently in good shape, is much wider and thus you may also avoid three busy railway level crossings.
	() Thanks

3rd January 2013, 21:39	#34
Sutripta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,668 Thanked: 6,217 Times	Re: The terracotta temples of Bishnupur ^^^ Are you referring to the Seakhala route? The Seakhala route was bad, but I found the Tarakeswar route to Arambagh quite OK. Regards Sutripta
	(1) Thanks

8th February 2013, 06:16	#37
VLOCT BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Las Vegas, USA Posts: 558 Thanked: 633 Times View My Garage	Re: The terracotta temples of Bishnupur Absolutely gorgeous, Sudipto. The temples looks like a dream.
	() Thanks

8th February 2013, 06:40	#38
Sudipto-S-Team Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,320 Thanked: 290 Times View My Garage	Re: The terracotta temples of Bishnupur Thanks VLOCT and sorry Sutriptada that I have been busy birding in the weekends and couldn't accompany you
	() Thanks

13th August 2014, 16:16	#40
gearhead_mait BHPian Join Date: May 2014 Location: Kolkata Posts: 509 Thanked: 2,661 Times View My Garage	Re: The terracotta temples of Bishnupur Taking on this trip this long weekend (15th Aug- 17th Aug). Maybe a few places more. Will share the details/update.
	(1) Thanks

13th August 2014, 17:42	#45
noidea BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Kolkata Posts: 146 Thanked: 89 Times	Re: The terracotta temples of Bishnupur If you chaps are planning to return on the 17th, do stop by at Tempstore Dhaba, about 10 KM short of Kolaghat crossing, for lunch. You are going to meet a whole bunch of like minded travellers. I am sure you will have a great time exchanging notes and stories. Last edited by noidea : 13th August 2014 at 17:44.
	(1) Thanks