Shyam Rai Temple, Bishnupur, West Bengal India

Shyam Rai Temple is an example of the Pancha Ratna (meaning five gems) architecture. The gems in this temple are the four small towers and one main tower that build the Temple. The four towers are situated on the four corners and the highest tower is in the middle. The curved ceiling of the Temple is influenced by Islamic architecture which cannot be seen in any other temple. The temple was built by Raghunatha Singha in the year 1643 A.D and has beautiful terracotta sculptures on walkways depicting various scenes from Ramayana, Krishna Leela and Mahabharata. Other subjects include royal hunting sights, musicians and dancers. All these sculptures and carvings are done with such intricateness that they look lively. Do not miss the sculptures which depict the Rasamandala in the Krishna Leela and the dancing Gopis  they truthfully are astonishing. The architecture of this Temple is unique in its own way and is one of the highest prioritized monuments of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).