Chhau Dance Mask, Charida, Purulia District

Chhau Dance Mask

Charida, Purulia District

See also: Wiki Explores Purulia

Chhau Dance (also spelt as Chou or Chau) is a semi classical dance from Eastern India combining martial, tribal and folk tradition. The dance ranges from celebrating martial arts, acrobatics and athletics performed in festive themes of a folk dance, to a structured dance with religious themes found in Shaivism, Shaktism and Vaishnavism.

Chhau Dance Msk, Charida, Purulia District

Chhau dance enacts episodes from epics including the Mahabharata and Ramayana, local folklore and abstract themes. Chhau dance is intimately connected to regional festivals, notably the spring festival, which happens in the mid of April.

Krosjhuri, Purulia District, an amalgamation of old and new

Krosjhuri, Purulia District

An amalgamation of old and new

See also: Wiki Explores Purulia

Purulia District, located on the western edge of West Bengal, is known for its breath taking natural beauty. Places like Boronti, Murguma and Ayodha Hills have always been popular weekend gateways for tourist from Kolkata.

Siddheshwar Shiva Temple, Krosjhuri, Purulia District

But unknown to many Purulia has a rich history and heritage dating back to the 10th – 13th century CE. A flourishing Jain settlement flourished in the western part of West Bengal covering the present districts of Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram. During this period they have built numerous brick and stone temples, following the Oriya Duel style architecture.

Pakbirra, remains of a temple town in Purulia District

Pakbirra

Remains of a temple town in Purulia District

See also: Wiki Explores Purulia

Historical records suggest that during the 10th – 13th century a flourishing Jain settlement flourished in the western part of West Bengal covering the present districts of Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram. During this period they have built numerous brick and stone temples, following the Oriya Duel style architecture.

The giant Jain Tirthankara statue in Pakbirra, Purulia District

Purulia had the largest concentration of these Jain Temples although many of them have crumbled to dust but a hand full have survived the test of time and still towers above the rural landscape of Purulia district. These towering temples, built of both brick and stone, can still be seen in the villages of Para, Deulghata, Deuli and Banda.

Deulghata, Crumbling Temples of a village in Purulia

Deulghata

Crumbling Temples of a village in Purulia

See also: Wiki Explores Purulia

Early morning of 30 September 2002 the villagers of Deulghata, in Purulia District, were woken up by a thundering sound. They came out of their houses to found that the largest of the three towering brick temples of their village have collapsed.

First Brick Temple of Deulghata, Purulia District

But this was not the first time that a temple in Purulia have crumbled to dust. Historical records suggest that during the 10th – 13th century a flourishing Jain settlement flourished in the western part of West Bengal covering the present districts of Purulia, Bankura and the state of Jhargram. During this period they have built numerous brick and stone temples, following the Oriya Duel style architecture.

Jain Temple, Mahadeb Berya, Purulia

Jain Temple

Mahadeb Berya (Jambad), Purulia

See also: Wiki Explores Purulia

Historical records suggest that during the 10th – 13th century a flourishing Jain settlement flourished in the western part of West Bengal covering the present districts of Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram. During this period they have built numerous brick and stone temples, following the Oriya Duel style architecture.

Jain Tirthanakara Statues at Mahadeb Berya (Jambad), Purulia District

Purulia had the largest concentration of these Jain Temples although many of them have crumbled to dust but a hand full have survived the test of time and still towers above the rural landscape of Purulia district.

Temples of Para, Purulia

Temples of Para

Purulia

See also: Wiki Explores Purulia

Para is a small village in Purulia District located about 30 km north east of the district head quarters Purulia Town. Para lies on the route to Banda Deul, one of the most preserved ancient temple of Purulia District.

Brick Temple (front) and Stone Temple of Para, Purulia

According to historical records Para probably served as the capital of Panchakot kings and probably before that it was the capital of the Manrajas. Today only three dilapidated temples are the only traces of Para’s royal lineage.

Deuli, Harup and Suisa, Crumbling Temples, Scattered Statues and Single Room Museum, Purulia District

Deuli, Harup and Suisa

Crumbling Temples, Scattered Statues and Museum, Purulia District

See also: Wiki Explores Purulia

Historical records suggest that during the 10th – 13th century a Jain settlement flourished in the western part of West Bengal covering the present districts of Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram. During this period they have built numerous brick and stone temples, following the Oriya Duel style architecture.

Panoramic view of the three Jain Temples of Deuli, Purulia District

Purulia had the largest concentration of these Jain Temples although many of them have crumbled to dust but a hand full have survived the test of time and still towers above the rural landscape of Purulia district. These towering temples, built of both brick and stone, can still be seen in the villages of Para, Pakbirra, Deulghata, Deuli and Banda.

Banda Deul, Most Preserved Stone Temple of Purulia District

Banda Deul

Most Preserved Stone Temple of Purulia District

See also: Wiki Explores Purulia

Historical records suggest that during the 10th – 13th century a flourishing Jain settlement flourished in the western part of West Bengal covering the present districts of Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram. During this period they have built numerous brick and stone temples, following the Oriya Duel style architecture.

Banda Deul, Purulia District, West Bengal

Purulia had the largest concentration of these Jain Temples although many of them have crumbled to dust but a hand full have survived the test of time and still towers above the rural landscape of Purulia district. These towering temples, built of both brick and stone, can still be seen in the villages of Para, Pakbira, Deulghata, Deuli and Banda.