Located in Sonepur, Bihar, at the meeting point of the Ganga and Gandak rivers, the Hariharnath Temple is a sacred spot where folks come to pray to Lord Vishnu (Hari) and Lord Shiva (Har). Baba Hariharnath Mandir is known for its rare shivling, half Vishnu and half Shiva. Linked with the Sonepur Mela, Asia’s largest cattle fair, it is considered a highly sacred spot, drawing devotees from far and wide.
History of Hariharnath Temple
People say Hariharnath Temple was first established by Lord Rama in Treta Yuga, while he was heading to Sita’s swayamvar in Janakpur, according to old stories. Some historical notes mention a rebuild around 1757 by Raja Ram Narain Singh, a deputy of Mir Qasim, using timber and black stone blocks. British visitors like Francis Buchanan, who came in the 1800s, recorded the temple’s large crowds. Later, in 1860, the Empress of Tekai added a hospice, and in 1871, Maharana Jangbahadur of Nepal constructed three small oases. The 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake caused significant damage, but the Birla family restored it later.
The temple is located near Sonepur railway station, close to the meeting point of rivers. After India’s independence in 1947, the Hariharnath Nyas Samiti trust took charge of its upkeep. In 2017, a modern Dharmik Satsang Kendra was added for religious talks and yoga, costing around ₹15 lakh, equipped with digital sound. The temple remains an important pilgrimage site, drawing devotees from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and beyond, especially during the Sonepur Mela.
Legends of Hariharnath Temple
The temple has many stories connected to Vishnu, Shiva, and local traditions. One famous tale is about Gajendra Moksha, where King Indradyumna, cursed by Agastya Muni into an elephant, and Huhu, a Gandharva cursed by Devala Muni into a crocodile, struggled at the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak rivers. The elephant remained trapped for years, praying to Lord Vishnu, who finally appeared and freed it by striking the crocodile with his Sudarshan Chakra, lifting both curses and taking the elephant to Vaikuntha. This legend links the temple to the rivers’ sacred power.
Another story tells that Lord Rama, accompanied by Guru Vishwamitra, stopped here and installed a shivling to honor both Vishnu and Shiva, symbolically uniting the Shaiva and Vaishnava sects. Some say Brahma himself built the temple to bring these groups together after old disputes. Locals believe the shivling’s half-and-half form reflects this unity. During Kartik Purnima, devotees say the temple feels especially powerful, particularly when pilgrims bathe in the rivers nearby.
Architecture of Hariharnath Temple
The Hariharnath Temple’s got a simple style, with a low gopuram and stone walls, built on the Gandak’s banks. The main shrine holds a unique shivling, half Vishnu and half Shiva, about 3 feet tall, set in a small 6-by-6-foot sanctum with a low ceiling. Smaller shrines for Kali, Hanuman, and Ganesh dot the courtyard. Old carvings on black stone blocks, from before 1757, show Vishnu’s conch and Shiva’s trident. The 1934 quake damaged parts, but the Birla family’s fixes kept the old look.
The temple’s got a hospice and three oases from the 1800s, plus a new Satsang Kendra with modern fittings. A nearby Kali temple and other monuments add to the holy vibe. The setup’s plain but sacred, with river views and open space for crowds during the Sonepur Mela. The shivling’s dual form is the big draw, making it a rare spot for both Shaivas and Vaishnavas.
Rituals and Festivals
The temple becomes very lively during festivals. Kartik Purnima, in November–December, is the main event, marking the start of the Sonepur Mela, Asia’s biggest cattle fair. Around 50,000–1,00,000 people visit daily, taking holy dips at the Ganga-Gandak confluence and performing jalabhishekam by pouring water over the shivling. Shivratri, falling in February–March, sees devotees offering night-long prayers and pouring milk on the shivling, drawing around 10,000–20,000 people. In Sawan, during July–August, many come specifically for special Shiva pujas.
Daily, priests conduct aarti at 5:00 AM and 6:00 PM, accompanied by bells, incense, and ghee lamps. Devotees bring flowers, milk, and fruits, and some pay ₹500–2,000 for performing Rudrabhishekam. Mondays are particularly busy for Shiva worship. During the mela, free meals are served to 5,000–15,000 people. The temple trust also organizes health camps and water stalls for pilgrims. The combination of holy river dips and dual worship at the shivling makes prayers feel very powerful.
Information for Travelers
Hours and Entry: The temple remains open 24 hours a day. Entry is free, though participating in pujas may cost between ₹20–2,000. Photography and mobile phones are not allowed inside the main shrine, but free lockers are provided at the entrance. Visitors should wear modest clothing, such as dhotis or sarees however shorts, mini-skirts, and sleeveless tops are not permitted. People of all castes are welcome. During Kartik Purnima and Shivratri, crowds can reach 50,000–100,000, so it’s best to arrive early. Wheelchair access is available for those in need.
How to Get There:
Air: Jay Prakash Narayan Airport in Patna is 30 km off, with flights to Delhi (1.5 hours) and Kolkata (1 hour). Taxis take 45 minutes to the temple.
Train: Sonepur Junction is 2 km off, with trains to Patna (30 minutes) and Varanasi (5 hours). Autos take 5 minutes to the temple.
Road: Sonepur is 25 km from Patna, 40 minutes by taxi on NH-31. Buses run from Patna and Hajipur.
Best Time to Visit: October to March is cool, 10–25°C. Early mornings are quiet. Kartik Purnima, with the Sonepur Mela, is packed, with long lines, so plan ahead. Summers hit 45°C, so avoid April to June. Carry cash, as ATMs are few, and stay hydrated.
Nearby Attractions:
Ramchaura Mandir: 3 km off, in Hajipur, with Rama’s footprints.
Kali Ghat: 500 meters off, a Kali temple and bathing spot.
Mahavir Mandir: 9 km off, a Hanuman shrine in Patna.
Sabhyata Dwar: 9 km off, a Mauryan-style arch by the Ganga.
