In Sultanganj, Bihar, on a rocky island amid the Ganges River, the Ajgaivinath Temple stands as a revered kshetra dedicated to Lord Shiva. The interesting thing is the river here flows north which is a rare and auspicious course. Also known as Gaibinath Mahadeo, the temple houses a swayambhu Shivling, believed to fulfill the wishes of devoted worshippers. Linked to the ashram of sage Jahnu, the temple is considered a potent shakti peeth.
History of Ajgaivinath Temple
Legends connect it with the Treta Yuga, when Lord Rama is said to have worshipped Shiva here before his war with Ravana. Sultanganj itself features in the Mahabharata as part of the Anga kingdom ruled by Karna.
Local tradition holds that the swayambhu Shivling appeared in sage Jahnu’s ashram, and that Lord Shiva gave him the celestial bow Ajgav at this site. Historically, the temple is considered one of Bihar’s oldest shrines, with evidence of its existence during the Pala dynasty around 730 CE. Remains from the Gupta and Mauryan periods have also been found nearby.
British accounts from the 19th century describe the temple drawing large crowds during religious fairs. After independence, the temple came under a local trust, which carried out renovations in the 1990s while preserving ancient carvings.
Architecture of Ajgaivinath Temple
The temple is cut straight into the rocky outcrop of the Ganges, giving it a plain but strong rock-carved look. The main part of the temple has the swayambhu Shivling, where devotees put silver and gold as offering. On top there’s a simple dome and a kalasha, looking like old Pala-style shrines.
The walls have carvings of Shiva, other gods, and flowers, a bit faded from floods and time but still look nice. The courtyard goes to a small gopuram with old paintings of Parvati and Nandi. Inside, there are also idols of Ganesha and some other gods.
What makes the site even more special is the Uttarvahini Ganga, the Ganges flowing north, which is considered extremely sacred. Nearby hills have Gupta-era inscriptions and remnants of Buddhist stupas, showing the area’s rich and layered spiritual history.
Stories and Legends of Ajgaivinath Temple
The temple is wrapped in local myths and stories:
Sage Jahnu and the Ganges: One tale says sage Jahnu once swallowed the Ganga when it flooded his ashram. Lord Shiva gave him the Ajgav bow and released the river, which then started flowing north at this very spot. At that moment, the Shivling is said to have appeared naturally from the rock, granting wishes to devoted worshippers.
Lord Rama’s Devotion: Another story tells that Lord Rama came here to meditate and seek Shiva’s blessings before his fight in Lanka. It’s believed that the Shivling manifested itself at that time.
Kalapahar’s Failure: Local lore says Kalapahar, a 16th-century invader who destroyed many temples, tried but failed to damage the Shivling, though he destroyed a nearby shrine of Parvati.
Rituals and Festivals
The temple is a vibrant hub of devotion throughout the year:
Mahashivratri (Feb–Mar): Celebrated with night-long bhajans, special abhisheks, and boat rides on the Ganges.
Shravani Mela (Jul–Aug): The most important festival, when kanwariyas collect Ganga water from Ajgaivinath and walk 100 km to Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar.
Ram Navami (Apr): Special pujas and offerings are performed.
Daily offerings include bel leaves, milk, coconuts, and Gangajal. A unique tradition here is presenting silver tridents or bells to the deity. Behind the main shrine, five akhand jyots, lamps that burn nonstop, are kept alight with ghee by devotees whose prayers have been answered.
Visitor Information
Timings:
Summer: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Winter: 6:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Extended hours during Shivratri and Shravan (till 10:00 PM)
Entry: Free but Photography is not allowed inside the sanctum.
Dress Code: Visitors should wear traditional clothing like dhoti, saree, or kurta-pajama to go near the Shivling.
Special Feature: Pilgrims have the option of a boat darshan from the river, so they can see the Shivling without climbing up to the sanctum.
How to Reach
By Air: The nearest big airport is Birsa Munda in Ranchi, about 250 km from Sultanganj. Flights connect from there to Delhi and Kolkata. From airport, taking a taxi takes near 5 hours to get to the temple.
Rail: Sultanganj Railway Station is just 1 km from the Murli Hills boat point, with trains connecting to Patna (4 hours) and Howrah (8 hours). Auto-rickshaws are available locally.
Road: Sultanganj lies 28 km west of Bhagalpur on NH-80. Buses and autos operate regularly, though parking near the temple rock is limited. Vehicles must be left at Murli Hills.
Best Time to Visit
October to March: Pleasant weather (15–25°C) makes this the best period.
Festivals: Shivratri and Shravani Mela attract massive crowds (10,000–50,000 visitors daily), so early arrival and prior boat booking are advised.
Weekdays: Better to visit on weekdays, less crowd, more quiet for darshan.
Nearby Spots
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (20 km): A part of Ganga where river dolphins live, protected area.
Mandar Hill (30 km): Sacred hill from Mahabharata times, old carvings and small temples there.
Sultanganj Buddha Statue (2 km): 7-foot copper Buddha from Gupta period, very old.
