Pancha-ratna Temples

Features and Origins

In the five-towered (pancha-ratna) style the superstructure consists of a large central tower and four smaller towers at the corners. This layout (particularly the construction of the turrets as small temples) almost certainly references the auspicious panchayatana temple style of northern India (e.g. Khajuraho and Deogarh) where the main temple is surrounded by four subordinate temples at four corners of the plinth. The Malla kings built some impressive early examples of pancharatna temples such as the Shyamaraya temple at Bishnupur and the monumental Gokulchand temple at Gokulnagar.

Examples

Alhough some of the finest pancha ratna temples are from 17th century Bishnupur, the style was adopted by smaller landlords and merchants in the 19th century, particularly in Medinipur and Bankura district, where there are some important examples such as the Gopinath temple at Radhakantapur (Medinipur), the Radha-Govinda temple at Chechua-Gobindanagar (Medinipur), and the Radhakanta temple at Akui (Bankura). There are some notable examples outside these districts as well, such as the Govinda temple at Puthia (Bangladesh) and the Gopinath temple at Dasghara (Hugli).