Bengal temple architecture

Bengal temple architecture also known as Malla dynasty architecture is about temple styles developed and used in Bengal, particularly the deul, chala, ratna and dalan temples.

Background

Both eoigraphic evidences and literary sources hint at the existence of numerous temples in Bengal. Foreign travellers like Fa Hien, Hiuen Tsang noticed a large number of monasteries, temples and stupas in different parts of Bengal.

According to David J. McCutchion historically the religious architecture in Bengal may be divided into three periods: the early Hindu period dominated by the Pala & Sena dynasties (up to the end of the 12th century, or may be a little later in certain areas), the Sultanate period (14th to early 16th century), and the Hindu revival period beginning with the Mughal conquest (16th to 19th century). "The coming of the Muslims at the beginning of the 13th century marked a sharp break with the past. After an initial century or so of anarchy and consolidation ... Bengal as we know it today became an independent entity for the first time. During the following two centuries a distinctive Bengali culture took shape".

"Between the earlier and later Hindu periods astonishing religious changes took place in Bengal: the worship of Vishnu gave way to that of Radha Krishna of Chamunda to that of Kali; Surya fell entirely out of favour; curious folk cults like that of Dharmathakur or Dakshin Rai arose." The temples of pre-Muslim period can be called tall curvilinear rekha deul. Another equally common group of temples found in Pre-Mughal Bengal are temples with tiered pyramidal tower can be described as pirha or bhadra deul.