Terracotta Temples: Nanoor & Uchkaran

The Nanoor area is extraordinarily rich in Bengal's distinctive tradition of terracotta temple decoration, a tradition in which fired-clay panels depicting scenes from the epics, the Puranas and daily life were applied to the exterior walls of brick temples. Art historian David McCutchion catalogued several temples in the Nanoor block:
Shiva Temple at Thupsara (1833): A tightly ridged rekha deul (tower temple) with terracotta carvings on three sides.
Jora Shiva Temples at Serandi (1830): A late wide-ridging banded rekha deul with terracotta carvings.
Four Shiva Temples at Uchkaron (1769): Particularly striking char chala (four-cornered roof) structures with rich terracotta facades. Protected by the state archaeological department, these carry unique sculptural programmes worth detailed examination.
Navaratna Temple at Brahmandihi (Kirnahar): Nine-towered temple of the distinctive navaratna style, near Nanoor.
Uchkaron (Uchkaran) is approximately 4 km from Nanoor and can be combined with a Nanoor visit on a half-day excursion. Many NGOs are now active in the area, supporting craft production and temple preservation and the villagers of the Nanoor block produce handloom kantha embroidery that is available for purchase.