question_answer 4)

 What are the important architectural features of the temples of Bengal?                                                          

Answer:

Bengal witnessed a temple-building spree from the late 15th century which culminated in the 19th century. Many of the modest brick and terracotta temples in Bengal were built with the support of several 'low' social groups.                                                     In the beginning local deities were worshipped in thatched huts in villages. Afterwards, the Brahmanas gave recognition to these deities which paved the way of building of temples for them. The temples began to copy the double-roofed or four-roomed structure of the thatched huts. This led to the evolution of the typical Bengali style in temple architecture. We can cite the example of "Bangia Dome". In the comparatively more complex four-roofed structure, four triangular roofs placed on the four walls move up to coverage on a curved line or a point. Temples were usually built on a square platform. The interior was relatively plain, but outer walls of many temples were decorated with paintings, ornamental tiles or terracotta tablets.