Raghunath Singha Dev


Raghunath Malla Dev also known as Raghunath Singha Dev, was the fifty-first king of the Mallabhum. He ruled from 1626 to 1656 CE.

Personal life

Because Kalaram, son of Dhari Hambir Malla Dev, was unfit to become a king due to his physical inability, his mother, who was Dhari Hambir's wife, enthroned her husband's young brother Raghunath Malla Dev, who later got the title of Singha.
During his regime a very friendly relationship with the Mughals meant that Bishnupur operated as a free and separate state. Public works that were completed during his reign include five sayars and temples such as Jor Bangla, Shyam Rai, Kalachand and stone Chariot were built.

Singha title

The king's family got the title of Singha as an honour due to the strength of Raghunath.

Mallabhum temples

Jor-Bangla temple

Bishnupur Jor-Bangla temple, built 1655 by King Raghunath Singha Dev. It is richly ornamented with terracotta carvings. The roof has the classic chala style of Bengal architecture.

Pancha ratna temple

The Pancha Ratna temple was built by King Raghunath Singha in 1643. It stands on a low square plinth and consists of an ambulatory pathway with a porch opened by three arches on the four sides of the temple. The central sikhara is octagonal, while the other four are square. The walls are richly decorated with terracotta carvings featuring aspects of Lord Krishna’s life.
Pancha Ratna Temple One of the five Shikhars of Pancha Ratna TempleTerracotta work on Pancha Ratna Temple

Malleshwar temple

This is another temple of laterite stone, built by Raghunath Singha Dev in 1622. It is a deul type of temple and the earliest temple of Lord Siva at Bishnupur. It is square in plan, its height is 10.7 m, and each side is 6.9 m. Its original sikhara was ekratna and have rekh deul style. An octagonal tower later replaced it. This monument is declared to be of national importance under the ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains act 1958.

Shyam Rai temple

Built in 1643 by king Raghunath, Shyam Rai temple has the most intricate sculptural details amongst all the Bishnupuur temples. Shyam Rai Temple is an example of the Pancha Ratna architecture. The gems in this temple are the four small towers and one main tower that build the Temple. 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.

Kalachand temple

The Kalachand temple built in 1656 by King Raghunath Singha in ekratna style with laterite stone.

Terracotta art in Bishnupur