Tag: local-crafts-village

Five Destinations in West Bengal for Craft Lovers


West Bengal, with its rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted traditions, is a treasure trove for craft enthusiasts. The state is known for its exquisite handwoven textiles, intricate pottery, and unique folk arts, each representing centuries of craftsmanship. Craft lovers can explore West Bengal’s artistic legacy by visiting several offbeat destinations. At these places, you can witness traditional artisans at work and discover the stories behind their creations. Here are five destinations in West Bengal that are perfect for those passionate about handicrafts and folk art.

Shantiniketan – A Hub for Handmade Textiles and Artisanship

Shantiniketan, located in the Birbhum district, is synonymous with the cultural and artistic vision of Rabindranath Tagore. The town is famous for Visva Bharati University. It is also a thriving center for traditional crafts. It is particularly known for the famous Kantha embroidery and Batiks. The local artisans create exquisite handwoven saris, garments, and fabrics adorned with intricate embroidery and vibrant patterns. The Poush Mela, held annually in December, is a must-visit for craft lovers. It showcases a wide array of handmade goods. These range from jewelry to pottery. Shantiniketan offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with artisans and explore the fusion of art and craft. For stay options you can contact The Bengal Local at 9477476376 (whatsapp) or bengallocal@gmail.com (email)

Bishnupur – The Land of Terracotta Art

Bishnupur is located in the Bankura district. It is renowned for its magnificent terracotta temples. The town is known for the skilled craftsmanship behind terracotta pottery and sculptures. The region’s artisans have worked with terracotta for centuries. They create intricate panels, figurines, and ornaments. These pieces reflect the rich history of the Malla dynasty. Bishnupur is also famous for its Baluchari saris, which are handwoven with elaborate mythological scenes depicted on the borders. For craft lovers, a visit to Bishnupur offers a journey into the world of terracotta. The experience also includes textiles and traditional music. All these elements are deeply intertwined with the town’s cultural identity. For stay options you can go through the website www.thebengallocal.com or mail at bengallocal@gmail.com

Paushi Monchasha – A Rural Tourism Project Near Kolkata Located near Kolaghat, East Midnapore, Baishnabchak is famous for Horn Craft – Located near Paushi Village, Sabang is famous for Madur Craft and if you want to experience Shellac doll making then Egra is the only place here. Mind it! Goynabori – a food art of Bengal originates from this place. The village is an initiative to promote traditional crafts and sustain the livelihoods of local artisans. Monchasha Rural Tourism offers visitors the chance to witness live demonstrations of earthen crafts, Patachitra painting, and coconut made utensils and bamboo toy-making. The vibrant “Nabya Nakshi” showcases everything from handwoven textiles to clay dolls and masks. For craft lovers, it’s a great place to engage with artisans, buy authentic handicrafts, and learn about the state’s diverse craft traditions. For stay options you can go through www.monchasha.com or mail at monchasha@gmail.com (email)

Phulia – The Heart of Bengal Weaving Phulia, a small town in the Nadia district, is a renowned center for handloom weaving, particularly for its finely crafted Tant and Jamdani saris. The weavers of Phulia have preserved the ancient art of making intricate Jamdani patterns, creating exquisite designs on soft, lightweight cotton fabric. Visitors can explore the town’s weaving workshops, where they can see artisans working on traditional looms to produce these delicate saris. Phulia is also famous for its experimentation with modern designs, making it a must-visit destination for those who appreciate handloom textiles and want to explore the evolution of Bengali weaving. For stay options you can go through www.thebengallocal.com or mail at bengallocal@gmail.com

Naya Village – The Home of Patachitra Painters

Naya Village, located in the Pingla region of West Midnapore, is a lesser-known but fascinating destination for craft lovers, particularly those interested in folk art. The village is home to the Patuas, traditional scroll painters who practice the art of Patachitra, a storytelling tradition involving hand-painted scrolls. The Patuas not only paint intricate scenes but also sing songs that narrate the stories depicted in their scrolls, often revolving around mythology, folklore, and social themes. Every year, the village hosts the Pot Maya festival, where visitors can interact with artisans, buy Patachitra scrolls, and learn about this unique blend of visual and oral storytelling. For stay options you can go through the website www.thebengallocal.com or mail at bengallocal@gmail.com

These five destinations in West Bengal offer craft lovers a unique opportunity to explore the state’s rich artistic heritage. Whether it’s weaving, pottery, painting, or metalwork, each location showcases a different facet of Bengal’s traditional crafts, allowing visitors to engage with artisans and gain a deeper appreciation for their skill and creativity.

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Bankura Bishnupur Mukutmanipur


Terrakota Temples of Bishnupur
Terrakota Temples of Bishnupur

Day 01: Early morning start for Bishnupur via Durgapur Driveway. Arrival at Bishnupur. Check in to Hotel. After lunch explore “Temple Town – Bishnupur”. Visit Jor bangla Temple, Rasmancha Mandir, Shyam Rai (Pancharatna)Temple and historic Dalmadal Kaman. Evening free around market. Visit local Shankh artist’s house & Shakhari Bazaar. Conch shell curving is another traditional art of Bishnupur. Night stay at Bishnupur hotel.

The Shyamrai temple is also known as the Pancha Ratna. It was built in 17th century by King Raghunath Singh and has some of the most charming architecture with magnificent carvings and sculptures on terracotta.

Dal Madal, a gigantic iron canon is a symbol of Malla prowess. It was meant to defend the city against ‘Borgies’.

Jor Bangla from 1655 is a classic work of typical ‘char-chala’ Bengali architecture. Red shin of the walls are its primary attraction.

Note: One no-less-remarkable part of this journey was the stretch of road that went through the Jaipur range of forest. This is part of the Dalma range and at times, herds of elephants come here. There are tall sal trees on both sides of the road. In the afternoon when we were going towards Jairambati, we could see only a fox. But in our return journey, it was already dark and there was no light there except that of our car. We waited with bated breath expecting some wild animal to come out. Suddenly we could see some movement far ahead on the road – but it turned out to be a bicycle-rider ! We came out of the jungle without any incident. Nevertheless, it was a very thrilling experience. (Source Indiamike)

Serene Jaipur Jungle
Serene Jaipur Jungle

Day 02: After early breakfast visit Panchmura Village – the Terracota Village. Proceed for Mukutmanipur Dam. Have lunch at Mukutmonipur. Evening back to Bisnupur and free at leisure. Or you can visit to the ‘Dash Avatar Taash’ artists’ place. These are painted playing cards depicting the 10 reincarnations of Lord Vishnu and were introduced by Malla kings as an indoor game. A deck consists of 120 cards! Dinner & stay overnight at Bisnupur.

Famous Horse of Panchmura Village
Famous Horse of Panchmura Village

Panchmura Village – The famous terracotta horse at Panchmura is the logo of All India Handicrafts and is renowned across the globe as a symbol of Indian folk art. The local crafts village is a collector’s delight. We must buy miniature pottery souvenirs of our trip from this place.

Mukutmanipur – “We hired a cycle van for a visit to the confluence of another river Kumari with the Kangsabati and a temple located near that. We proceeded along the earthen dam, the view on the other side of the dam was no less beautiful. We could see plenty of birds. There were little ripples in the vast water of the reservoir, created by a pleasant breeze. Boats were carrying tourists to and from the confluence. And then we were fortunate enough to have a glimpse of what Mukutmanipur is famous for – the sunset. The setting sun created such a golden reflection in the wavy water, the silhouettes of boats, the almost invisible backdrop of land – it was a breathtaking sight. It was gold everywhere, one could capture as much as one wanted – through the eyes. We were simply mesmerized.” (Source Indiamike)

Day 03: After breakfast proceed to visit Susunia Hill. Explore Bell Metal and Stone Crafting Village of Susunia. Back to Bisnupur and free at leisure. Stay overnight at Bisnupur after Dinner.

Day 04: After breakfast return to Kolkata. Enroute you can visit Jairambati & Kamarpukur.

 Kamarpukur is the birth place of Sri RamKrishna and Jairambati, of Ma Sarada Moni. Both these places are very well maintained. New temples were built later on, keeping the original huts almost as they were at that time. An ambience of absolute religiousness prevails there. During the puja days, “bhoga” (meals) are served to thousands of people but everything is managed in a disciplined manner. At Kamarpukur, we visited “Haldar-pukur” also, the tank belonging to the Haldar family, where Sri Ramkrishna used to bathe regularly. (Source Indiamike)

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