Temple Architecture styles: Baṅlā Cālā Architecture
This post covers Cālā type structures of Baṅlā Architecture Styles and its adoption into other architecture styles.
Cālā in Baṅlā region and Odisha (state of India) refers to thatched roof huts. There are temples in both places resembling the regional variation of the thatched roofs. Cālā type structures were adopted from vernacular architecture into religious architecture
Introduction
“Cālā” in Baṅlā region refers to thatched roof huts; the temples of this style are differentiated by the number of Cālā or eaves in their roofs. In case of temples, 2 “root forms” can be identified: Dō-Cālā (2-eaves) and Cār-Cālā (4-eaves) — other forms are a repetition or combination of these two.
It should be noted that these structures also find other uses along with temples — as halls, gateways, pinnacles on Ratna-style temples, mañcas etc. In some cases, these may applied on mosques, tombs etc. as well.
Haflong Guide on buoyantlifestyles.com dates monolithic rock-cut Longthaini Noh Temple to 12th century CE under Dimasa/Kacārī kingdom, but Dimasa kingdom seems to have come into existence ~13th century CE only. Hence, the origin of Cālā type temples can be dated to 12th or 13th century CE at earliest. Cālā type temples definitely came into existence before or during 17th century CE.
Dō-Cālā (2-eaves) OR Ēka-Baṅlā
This style consists of 2 sloping roof that meet at a ridge on the top. The ridge may optionally feature urn-shaped or other types of finials. This style, while being simple, doesn’t have many examples.
In case of temples, one shorter side, usually having the entrance has the roof line higher than the other end. There are generally 2 entrances, one at one of the wider ends, and other at one of the thinner ends. The entrances at wider side are generally arched entrances in groups of 3, a feature commonly found in other styles of Bagla architecture temples including rest of the Cālā type temples.
Temples, Temple Clusters and Temple Complexes
→ Dō-Cālā Temples Examples:
Longthaini Noh, a monolithic rock-cut temple in Maibang, Dima Hasao district, Assam, India. Haflong Guide on buoyantlifestyles.com dates monolithic rock-cut Longthaini Noh Temple to 12th century CE under Dimasa/Kacārī kingdom, but Dimasa kingdom seems to have come into existence ~13th century CE only. Hence, the origin of Cālā type temples can be dated to 12th or 13th century CE at earliest [Source: File:Rock cut temple, Maibang.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]
Hansavahana Shiva Temple in Swarupgunj area of Nadia district, West Bengal, India — the period of construction is unknown but such temples with actual thatched roofs would have been precursors to temples with curved roofs built of stone or bricks [Source: http://discover.hubpages.com/travel/Hansavahana-Shiva-the-story-of-the-Unconscious-Shiva-on-Swan]
Nandadulal Jiu Mandir in Chandannagar, Hooglhy district, West Bengal, India [Source: File:Nandadulal Mandir - South-west View - Chandan Nagar - Hooghly - 2013-05-19 7916.JPG]
Front view [1] and side view [2] of a Śiva Temple on Haralal Mitra Street in Baghbazaar area, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. [Source: Dochala Siva Temple]
Panchamukhi Shiv Mandir at Baronagar in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, India has both thinner ends of equal height [Source: File:Panchamukhi Shiva Temple at Baronagar in Murshidabad district 03.jpg]
→ Dō-Cālā Temple Complexes Examples:
Char-Bangla Temples in Baranagar, Murshidabad-Jiaganj CD, Lalbag subdivision, Murshidabad district, West Bengal, India — each temple has 3 entrances and 3 Śivaliṅgaṁs. The 4 temples are arranged as sides of a square and face the courtyard they enclose. (Built 18th century CE under queen Bhabānī of Rajshahi Raj) [Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Char_Bangla_Temples]
Associated halls and Mañcas
→ Dō-Cālā Associated Halls Examples:
Nāṭamandira of Madan Mohan Temple Complex in Bishnupur, Bankura district, West Bengal, India (Built 1694 CE by Durjana Singha, the 53rd Malla king) [Source: https://kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com/2024/03/12/madan-mohan-temple-bishnupur/]
Bhōgamaṇḍapa of Radha Madhab Temple Complex in Bishnupur, Bankura district, West Bengal, India (Built 1737 CE by Cūṛamoṇi, a consort of Malla king Kr̥ṣṇa Siṅgha) [Source: https://kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com/2023/09/17/radha-madhab-madhav-temple-bishnupur/]
Entrance hall and the temple itself of Gopalji Temple Complex in Ambika Kalna, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal, India (Built 1766 CE by Bhauja for a noble cowherd named Kr̥ṣṇacandra, during reign of Tilak Candra) [Source: https://kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com/2023/04/18/gopalji-temple-ambika-kalna/]
Gateways
→ Dō-Cālā Gateways Examples:
Siṅgh duār (Lion Gate) of Khaspur Rajbari Complex in Khaspur village, Udharbond Tehsil, Cachar District, Assam, India [Source: Khaspur - A kingdom in ruins - Webguy Travel Tales]
Tombs
→ Dō-Cālā Tombs examples:
Tomb of Fateh Khan at Gauda, Malda district, West Bengal, India (built 17th century CE) [Source: File:The Tomb of Fateh Khan, Gaur, WB.jpg]
Others (non-temples)
→ Kachari palace ruins at Khaspur village, Udharbond Tehsil, Cachar District, Assam, India. It was used by rulers of Dimasa Kingdom [Source:File:Kachari Palace.JPG - Wikimedia Commons]
→ Naulakha Pavilion in northern section of Lahore Fort, Lahore, Pakistan [Source:File:Naulakha Pavilion in Lahore Fort.jpg]
→ Entrance of Shah Mahmud Mosque in Kishoreganj district, Bangladesh [Source: Traces of Isa Khan, the Man of Steel, in Kishoreganj]
Cār-Cālā (4-eaves)
This style involves 4 curving/pyramidal roof parts that meet either at a single point.
Temples, Temple Clusters and Temple Complexes
→ Cār-Cālā Temples Examples :
Caṇḍī Temple in Khaspur village, Udharbond Tehsil, Cachar District, Assam, India [Source: http://webguy.in/kachari-kingdom-ruins-khaspur-silchar-assam/]
Singhabahini Charchala Temple at Konnagar under Ghatal Police Station at Paschim Medinipur district in West Bengal, India. The temple has a smaller identical main main hall attached to it, both feature roofs whose eaves curve while going up. (Built 1890 CE) [Source: File:Singhabahini Charchala temple at Konnagar under Ghatal Police Station at Paschim Medinipur district in West Bengal 01.jpg]
→ Cār-Cālā Temple Clusters Examples:
Cluster of 4 Śiva temples in Uchkaron, Ilambazar, Ilambazar CD block in Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum District, West Bengal, India (Built 1769 CE by landowner Harendranath Sarkhel) [Source: https://kevinstandagephotography.files.wordpress.com/2023/03/ksp_8012-1.jpg]
Some of the Cār-Cālā Temples of Maluti Temple Cluster in Maluti village, Dumka district, Jharkhand, India [Source: https://www.taleof2backpackers.com/maluti-heritage-temple-village/]
Associated Halls and Mañcas
→ Cār-Cālā Mañcas Examples:
Dolmañca of Radha-Krishna Temple in Mahiari, Howrah district, West Bengal, India [Source: File:Radha-Krishna Mandir - Chanpiritala - Mahiari - Howrah 2014-11-09 0548.JPG]
Dolmañca of Gopinath Temple in Dasghara, Hooghly district, West Bengal, India [Source: Dasghara]
→ Cār-Cālā Associated Halls Examples:
Pañcabimśati-ratna Lalji Temple and its associated Cār-Cālā hall in Ambika Kalna Rajbari, Ambika Kalna, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal, India (Built 1769 CE by Bardhaman Raj ruler Kīrti Cand Rāi for his mother Braja Kiśōrī) [Source: https://kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com/2024/02/12/lalji-temple-ambika-kalna/]
Gateways
→ Cār-Cālā Gateways Examples:
Gateway of Bamakhyapa's Temple Complex in Maluti village, Dumka district, Jharkhand, India [Source: File:Bamakhyapa's Temple.jpg]
Āṭ-Cālā (8-eaves)
This involves repeating a smaller 4-eave structure over a larger one. In this case, the eaves may meet at a single point (as in 4-eaves style) or at a ridge.
Temples, Temple Clusters and Temple Complexes
→ Āṭ-Cālā Temples Examples:
Śiva temple at Rathtala at Balsi, Bankura District, West Bengal, India with little distinction between the upper and lower cār-cālā structures; single spire at the top [Source: File:At-Chala-Shiva-Temple-Balsi (cropped).jpg)]
Bhukailash Temple in Khidirpur, Kolkata, West Bengal, India with distinct upper and lower parts; 3 spires over the top [Source: File:Bhukailash Shiv Temple 01.jpg]
Shantinath Temple at Chandrakona, Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal, India — both upper and lower sections have roofs built to give a perception of stacks of thatched roofs. [Source: File:Aatchala Shantinath Shiva Temple at Gosaibazar area of Chandrakona Town in Paschim Medinipur 01.jpg]
Sri Sri Sita Temple (east-west exposure), Temple Road, Chandranath Dham, Sitakunda, Chittagong, Bangladesh — a spire-less rectangular Āṭ-cālā structure with entrance at one end along its breadth. [Source: File:Sri Sri Sita Temple (02).jpg]
→ Paired Āṭ-Cālā Temples Examples:
Jagannath Bari Twin Śiva Temples in in Ambika Kalna Rajbari, Ambika Kalna, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal, India [Source: https://kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com/2023/03/30/the-twin-shiva-temples-of-jagannath-bari-ambika-kalna/]
Two Āṭ-Cālā Śiva Temples flanking a larger Dolmañca, near Shivtala bus stop of Debipur, Memari I block, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal, India [Source: https://rangandatta.wordpress.com/2016/08/28/lakshmi-janardhan-temple-debipur/#more-21343]
Jora Shiva temple in Hatbasantapur, Hooghly district, West Bengal, India — sharing a common platform and joined by, presumably, a shared hall [Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jora_Shiva_temple_of_Hatbasantapur_03.jpg]
→ Āṭ-Cālā Temple Complexes Examples:
Nava Kailash Temple Complex housing 108 Shiva temples at Ambika Kalna, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal, India — shows both temples and gate of 8-eave (inner circle, left) type [Source: File:WLM@WB-Nava-Kailasha Temple in Kalna (Panoramic View) 02.jpg]
108 Shiva temples at Nababhat, Bardhaman, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal, India — the eaves rise till a square is formed at the top to act as the base of the finial [Source: File:108 shiv temple.jpg]
Mañca
→ Āṭ-Cālā Mañcas Examples:
Dolmañca associated with Damodar Temple in Sarkarpara, Rautara village, Howrah district, West Bengal, India [Source: Temples of Rautara, Howrah]
Gateways
→ Āṭ-Cālā Gateways Examples:
Gateway in outer circle of Nava Kailash Temple Complex in Kalna City, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal, India [Source: https://www.bibhudevmisra.com/2019/08/108-shiva-mandir-kalna-west-bengal.html]
Gateway of Tarapith Temple Complex in Chandipur village Rampurhat II CD block in Rampurhat subdivision of Birbhum district, West Bengal, India [Source: File:Gateway of Tarapith.jpg]
Bārō-cālā (12 eaves)
Formed by placing a 4-eave structure over an 8-eave one (repeating 4-eave structure 3 times). These are more likely to have eaves meeting at a single point.
Temples, Temple Clusters and Temple Complexes
→ Bārō-cālā Temples examples:
Buro Shiva Temple at Jalsara under Ghatal Police Station in Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal, India — single entrance temple; along with being 8-eave type, it also features a triratha (3-facet) plan on all of its tiers [Source: File:Baro Chala temple of Buro Shiva at Jalsara under Ghatal Police Station in Paschim Medinipur district in West Bengal 05.jpg]
Damodar Temple in Sarkarpara, Rautara village, Howrah district, West Bengal, India — triple entrance temple [Source: Temples of Rautara, Howrah]
Ramchandra Temple in Chirulia, Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal, India [Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ramchandra_Temple_at_Chirulia_in_Purba_Medinipur_district._04.jpg]
A Bārō-cālā temple with middle cālā layer diagonal to upper and lower layer, in Gopiballavpur, Jhargram, West Bengal, India [Source: http://discover.hubpages.com/travel/Nandadulaljiu-temple-of-Chandannagar-The-largest-Dochala-temple-of-West-Bengal]
24-cālā (24 eaves)
Formed by repeating the 4-eave structure 6 times.
→ 4 Śiva temple constructed side-by-side in a cluster in Dhakeshwari National Temple Complex in Dhaka, Bangladesh. [Source: File:Shiva temples Dhakeshwari Mandir 2 by Ragib Hasan.jpg]
Jōṛ-Baṅlā
This style consists of two Cālā structures, usually Dō-Cālā structures, joined at the wider end — one acts as the entrance hall/porch, other contains the sanctum.
Keshto Rai Temple of Bishnupur Temple Cluster in West Bengal, India features a Jōṛ-Baṅlā structure over which a Cār-Cālā tower is placed, between the two Dō-Cālā structures — this post discusses Keshto Rai Temple in Combinational Temples section.
Temples and Temple Complexes
→ Dō-Cālā Jōṛ-Baṅlā Temples Examples :
Chaitanya Temple in Guptipara, Hooghly district, West Bengal, India (Estimated late 16th to early 17th century CE) [Source: https://kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com/2023/10/18/brindavan-chandra-math-brindaban-guptipara/]
Gangeshwar Temple in Baronagar, West Bengal, India — one Dō-Cālā structure is larger than the other [Source: Bengal Terracotta Temples]
Chandrakona Jor Bangla Temple in Dakshinbazar, Chandrakona in Ghatal subdivision of Paschim Medinipur district in West Bengal, India — the structure on left has a Piṛhā deuḷa style aedicule, the one right has a Āṭ-Cālā style aedicule [Source: File:Jorbangla temple at Chandrakona located at Ghatal subdivision of Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal.jpg]
→ Cār-Cālā Jōṛ-Baṅlā Temples Examples :
A temple with 2 joined Cār-Cālā structures in Panchthupi, Murshidabad district, West Bengal, India [Source: https://discover.hubpages.com/art/jor-bangla-a-unique-type-of-temple-of-bengal]
Gateways
→ Jōṛ-Baṅlā Gateway Examples:
Jōṛ-Baṅlā Gateway of Jogadya Uma temple complex in Kshirgram, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal, India [Source: https://discover.hubpages.com/art/jor-bangla-a-unique-type-of-temple-of-bengal]
Tombs
→ Jōṛ-Baṅlā Tombs Examples :
A mausoleum in Shrirampur village, Sadar upazila, Patuakhali district, Bangladesh [Source: Jorbangla Mausoleum of Bengali Tradition at Shrirampur | Patuakhali]
Combinational Type Temples
Certain temples tend to combine 2 or more of the above styles, or repeatedly use one of them in an unclassifiable way. Some examples are given as follows.
→ Jōṛ-Baṅlā type main structure + Cār-Cālā type spire : Keshto Rai Temple, Bishnupur, Bankura, West Bengal, India features a 4-eave structure constructed upon the joiner part of the two 2-eave structures (Built 17th century CE) [Source: amitguha.blog/2017/11/15/terracotta-temples-of-bengal/]
→ Āṭ-Cālā type temple + Cār-Cālā entrance porch attached : Radhagobind temple in Atpur, Srirampore subdivision in the Hooghly District, West Bengal, India [Source: Bengal Temple Architecture]
→ Dō-Cālā style structure sandwiched between two Cār-Cālā style structures : Bara Ahnik Mandir at Puthia Temple Complex in Puthia Upazila, Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh, constructed by Char Ani Rajas of Puthia estate [Source: File:Bara Ahnik Mandir at Puthia.JPG]
→ Dō-Cālā style structure sandwiched between two Cār-Cālā style structures over a flat base : Raja Ram Tempe in Khalia village of Tekerhat, Madaripur district, Bangladesh [Source: Raja Ram Temple – Madaripur]
→ Three Āṭ-Cālā pinnacles on the main Cār-Cālā style roof, with another Āṭ-Cālā pinnacle over the entrance porch : Shobhabazar Lal Mandir in Shobhabazar, Kolakata, West Bengal, India — features [Source: File:Lal Mandir Sobhabazar Kolkata.jpg]
Cālā Architecture Temple Complexes
Excluding clusters and complexes having a single type of Cālā Architecture Temples, Cālā Architecture Temple Complexes can combine 2 or more types of Cālā Architecture Temples.
→ Cālā Architecture Temple Complexes examples:
Siddheshwari Kali Temple Complex in Ambika Kalna, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal, India — 1 Dō-Cālā temple and 3 Āṭ-Cālā temples [Source: https://rangandatta.wordpress.com/2020/01/02/ambika-kalna-terracotta-temple-town-of-west-bengal/]
Damodar Temple Complex having Bārō-cālā main temple with Āṭ-Cālā Dolmañca, in Sarkarpara, Rautara village, Howrah district, West Bengal, India [Source: Temples of Rautara, Howrah]
Usage of Cālā architecture in non-Baṅlā style temples
A few non-Baṅlā style temples also incorporate this roofing on some of their structures, in particular that of Māru-Gurjara Architecture, Bundelkhand Architecture and Indo-Irano-Turkic Temple Architecture with examples given as below.
Often, cālā type structures are employed as pavilions integrated with the structure, and can be found over gateways, halls and temples.
→ Bāṅlā Dō-cālā structures highlighted in Galtaji Temple in Galtaji, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India (Māru-Gurjara architecture)[Source: File:GaltaTempleOverview.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]
→ A pavilion over the entrance having a Bāṅlā Dō-cālā flanked by two domes, on Shri Mahavir Ji Temple in Karauli, Rajasthan, India (Māru-Gurjara architecture) [Source: These 20 Must Visit Temples in Rajasthan Offer More Than Just Spirituality]
→ Shantinath Jain Temple in Kothari, Gujarat, India shows a similar (to above example) structure above its entrance (Bundelkhand Architecture) [Source: 8 Very famous Jain Temples in Gujarat]
→ Jugal Kishore Ji Temple in Panna, Panna district, Madhya Pradesh, India — incorporates Bāṅlā Dō-cālā pavillion and smaller Cār-Cālā pavillions. (Built under king Hindupat Singh Bundēlā, the fourth king of the independent Panna kingdom, r. 1758 to 1778 CE) [Source: http://panna.nic.in/en/tourist-place/jugal-kishore-ji-temple/ ]
References
[1] Dimasa Kingdom - Wikipedia