Terracotta Reliefs of Bhattabati Ratneshwar Temple, Murshidabad : A Study of the Contemporary Socio Religious Scenario of West Bengal

Bhattabati, a remote village in Murshidabad district, is located just opposite to Motijheel palace and mosque near Lalbagh, on the other bank of River Ganges. It is geographically positioned at 24°10"01” (N) 88°13"08”(E). The five pinnacles Ratneswar Shiva Temple is very famous for its terracotta panels fixed in the niches of various shapes and sizes on four walls of the edifice. The terracotta works are very remarkablehistorically, socially as well as artistically. Artistically the works are of superb quality which proves the dexterity of Bengal artisans of early eighteenth century. The subjects dealt with in the panel are also very meaningful and reveals a piece of social as well as religious history of the contemporary period.