Concluding my documentation of the various temples that can be explored in Ambika Kalna, the final three I have clubbed together in a single blog post as there is little to see in terms of terracotta ornamentation, and likewise very little information available about them.
Pancharatna Temple
Located next to Rupeswar temple in the Rajbari temple complex, these five atchala brick-built temples of varying sizes are popularly known as Pancharatna temple. We know one was erected in 1767 CE by Devaki Devi, another one was erected in 1763 CE by Maharani Bishan Kumari, but the year of establishment of the other three temples are unknown.
Any terracotta ornamentation that once existed here has now disappeared, and the temples themselves are not in great condition. Many of them now have exposed underlying brick work, and the most southern temple in the group has a distinct lean to it on account of poor foundations.
Jaleswar Temple
Located immediately east of the outer ring of the hugely impressive Naba Kailash Mandir (108 Shiva temple complex), this brick-built south-facing temple has five towers in a Pancharatna style and stands on a high plinth. Construction of this temple is attributed to the 19th century.
The upper part of the pillars and cornice have a tiny amount of decoration, but anything else that once existed here in terms of terracotta ornamentation has now disappeared.
Some scholars believe the Jaleswar temple was once an integral part of the overall Naba Kailash complex, but in modern times the road now makes it somewhat detached from its frequently visited neighbour.
Ratnesvara Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva and located immediately east of Naba Kailash Mandir (108 Shiva temple complex), the south-facing Ratnesvara Temple is also a Pancharatna temple on a small raised plinth.
There are some terracotta designs still surviving on this temple, most notably the numerous small shiva temples depicted above each of the three entrance arches in addition to some associated scrollwork.
Construction of the temple is attributed to the 19th century, and is likely to be contemporary with the nearby Jaleswar temple, as they both provide symmetry in the manner by which they flank the northern extent of Naba Kailash Mandir.
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