Prachin Shiv Mandir

Getting there

• By air

  Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi is about 56.1 km away, roughly 1 hour 40 minutes by car via NH 20.

• By train

  Ramgarh Cantt Railway Station is about 6.6 to 6.7 km away by road.

• By road

  From Ramgarh Bus Stand the drive takes about 11 minutes depending on traffic, via Gola Road (NH-23), the primary route from Ramgarh town. Auto-rickshaws and private vehicles run along Gola Road.

Why devotees come here

Prachin Shiv Mandir is a Shiva temple at Kaitha, about 3 km from Ramgarh town on NH-23. It houses two Shivlings worshipped together, and an old pond inside the premises is said never to dry up.

Prachin Shiv Mandir stands at Kaitha in Ramgarh, Jharkhand, on NH-23. The district government calls it a remarkable historical and religious site, and a major centre of faith for the people of Ramgarh and the surrounding regions. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and houses two Shivlings that are worshipped together. The complex also has idols of Hanuman and other deities.

Local belief holds that the temple is about 350 years old. It is said to have been commissioned in 1670 AD by King Dalel Singh of the Padma Kingdom. Its architecture blends Bengali and Rajput styles. The dome, a cave-like section and the two-storey structure make it distinctive.

An ancient pond inside the premises is considered miraculous, and its water never dries up. Devotees believe the water offered to the Shivling can cure ear ailments. Large crowds gather at the temple during festivals and auspicious occasions.

Tips for your visit

• Worship items, prasad and water are available inside the complex.
• Private vehicles, taxis and buses can take you directly to the site.

Questions people ask