Photo spot in Bishnupur
Dalmadal Cannon
Bishnupur, West Bengal
A massive 17th-century wrought-iron cannon of the Malla kings, legendary for a divine defence of Bishnupur, mounted in the open near the temples.
Best time
Late afternoon, when warm side light shows the rings along the barrel; early morning for soft light and no one else in the enclosure.
Best angle
Stand at the muzzle end, a little to one side, and take a low photo along the length of the barrel with the platform and trees behind it.
Entry fee
Free
Opening hours
Open access
Crowd level
Medium
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Dalmadal Cannon
Late afternoon, when warm side light shows the rings along the barrel; early morning for soft light and no one else in the enclosure. Crowds here are typically medium. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Dalmadal Cannon
Stand at the muzzle end, a little to one side, and take a low photo along the length of the barrel with the platform and trees behind it. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
By the giant cannon
At the mounted barrel
Outfit guide
What to wear at Dalmadal Cannon
For photos at Dalmadal Cannon, rust, cream and maroon work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Popular modern looks travellers are wearing across Bishnupur.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural outfits worn across Bishnupur.
Eat nearby
Food near Dalmadal Cannon
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for bengali veg thali nearby.
Special dishes to try
Search food by craving
Good to know
Local tips
Read the ASI board beside the cannon, which gives its measurements and history.
Look inside the muzzle to see how wide the bore is, and at the rings that make up the barrel.
Stay outside the enclosure and do not climb on the cannon or its platform.
Be quiet near the Chhinnamasta temple next door, which is in active worship.
Fit this into your temple circuit rather than making a special trip, as fifteen minutes is enough.
Walk over to the Jor Mandir group of three temples nearby while you are here.
Ask your rickshaw driver to include the Pathar Darwaja stone gateway on the way back.
An iron giant
The Dalmadal is a huge cannon of the Malla kings, made of wrought iron. It is about 3.8 m long with a bore of roughly 28.5 cm, and it is usually said to weigh close to 300 maunds, well over ten tonnes. Its barrel was built up from iron rings, and it has stood in the open for centuries with remarkably little rust. The name is usually explained as the destroyer of enemies.
The legend
In the eighteenth century, Maratha raiders known in Bengal as bargis attacked Bishnupur. Local legend says that Madan Mohan, the family deity of the Malla kings, fired this cannon himself and drove them away. The story ties the cannon closely to the Madan Mohan temple, and it is still told proudly in town. Historians usually date the cannon to the 1700s under King Gopal Singha, though accounts differ.
Where it is
The cannon rests on a masonry platform inside a small enclosure beside the Chhinnamasta temple, near the Jor Mandir group. An ASI board beside it gives its history and measurements. It is a short ride from Rasmancha.
Visiting
The cannon is free to see and is in the open, so it fits easily between temples. Fifteen minutes is enough. You cannot climb on it, but you can walk around the enclosure and see the barrel from every side. The small Chhinnamasta temple next door is in active worship, so be quiet around it and remove your shoes if you go in.
Nearby
The Jor Mandir group of three temples, built in 1726, is close by and worth a look on the same stop. Ask your rickshaw driver to show you the old stone gateways of the fort, the Pathar Darwaja, on the way back towards the centre.
Questions
Dalmadal Cannon — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Dalmadal Cannon?
Late afternoon, when warm side light shows the rings along the barrel; early morning for soft light and no one else in the enclosure. Stand at the muzzle end, a little to one side, and take a low photo along the length of the barrel with the platform and trees behind it.
Is there an entry fee at Dalmadal Cannon?
Entry to Dalmadal Cannon is free.
What are the opening hours of Dalmadal Cannon?
Dalmadal Cannon is open access.
What should I wear at Dalmadal Cannon?
Rust, cream and maroon photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Dalmadal Cannon get?
Crowd levels are typically medium. To miss the busiest window: late afternoon, when warm side light shows the rings along the barrel; early morning for soft light and no one else in the enclosure.
What food should I try near Dalmadal Cannon?
Try bengali veg thali at spots close by.
How big is the Dalmadal cannon?
It is about 3.8 m long with a bore of roughly 28.5 cm, and is usually said to weigh close to 300 maunds, well over ten tonnes. It is the largest cannon made for the Malla kings.
What is the legend of the Dalmadal cannon?
Local legend says Madan Mohan, the Malla kings' family deity, fired it himself to drive Maratha raiders away from Bishnupur in the eighteenth century.
Why has the Dalmadal cannon not rusted?
It is made of wrought iron built up from rings, and wrought iron of this kind resists rust far better than ordinary iron. It has stood in the open for centuries with little corrosion.
What is next to the Dalmadal cannon?
It stands beside the small Chhinnamasta temple, and the Jor Mandir group of three temples is close by.