Ajgaibinath Temple

Getting there

• By train

  Sultanganj Ajgaibinath Dham station is on the Eastern Railway, well connected to Bhagalpur, Patna and other towns in Bihar.

• By road

  State Highway 22 links Sultanganj to Deoghar, but the two-lane road often clogs during the Shravani Mela.

Rules to know

• Bring an Aadhaar card for any programme at the temple.
• Auspicious ceremonies need a booking, and a receipt can be collected from the temple.

Why devotees come here

Ajgaibinath Dham in Sultanganj, Bhagalpur district, Bihar, is dedicated to Shiva. It sits on a rock island in the Ganga and is a major pilgrimage destination.

Ajgaibinath Dham is dedicated to Shiva. It is placed on a rock island in the Ganga. Legend says Rama worshipped Shiva here before his battle against Ravana. Local belief adds that Rama collected Ganga water here to offer to Shiva. Sage Jahnu, mentioned in the Mahabharata and the Puranas, is believed to have meditated near this region.

The temple is built in the Nagara style and is shaped like a boat. The present structure was renovated in the 19th century by Rani Kalavati of the local royal family, and she donated its shikhara in 1885. The temple is rock-carved, and its Shiva Linga is bathed by the waters of the Ganga. Sultanganj lies on the southern bank of the Ganga, around 25 km west of Bhagalpur city. Local boats carry pilgrims across the river during daily worship and the Shravani Mela. The Mahants, the head priests, traditionally do not visit Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar. Even so, pilgrims carry water from here onward to Deoghar.

Festivals

• July to AugustShravani Mela

  The most important event here. Devotees carry Ganga water on foot to Deoghar.

Tips for your visit

• Devotees first offer water at this temple before going on to Deoghar.
• Devotees also collect Ganga water at Namami Gange Ghat, a nearby ghat.

Questions people ask