• Jan 25 2016
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Ajgaibinath Temple

Ajgaivinath Temple of Lord Shiva is located in Sultanganj, a town in Bhagalpur district of Bihar in India. Also known as Gaibinath Mahadeo, this is one of the rare ancient Hindu temples where the deity Lord Siva has existed as ‘Swayambhu’. Ajgaivinath Shiva Temple has been constructed on a rock which is projected out from the holy river Ganges. To reach here, there are boat services from Murli Hills of Sultanganj.

The origin of the temple is shrouded in mystery. According to the legend lord Shiva took a bow known as Ajgav and so the place came to be known as Ajgaivinath. It is commonly said that Kalapahar failed to demolish Ajgaivinath temple, but he could destroy the Parvati temple on the neighbouring hill and built a mosque there. Formerly, this hill must have been bigger and spacious. The high floods and the constant strong currents of the Ganga must have worn away the decaying granite rocks of the hill. The present village Jahangira to the west of Sultangang still keeps alive the memory of the Ashram of Jahnu Muni. The name of Jahangira appears to be the distorted form of Jahnugiri (the hill of Jahnu) or Jahnu griha (the abode of Jahnu).

During the rule of the Mauryas, Guptas and Palas many works of art and architecture were raised at Sultanganj. The area has yielded ancient relics like stupas, seals, coins, terracotta and Hindu and Buddha images. Many carvings can still be seen in the Sultanganj hills. A number of small images along with a copper image of Lord Buddha about seven feet high were excavated here. A Buddha image found in Sultanganj is now in Birmingham Museum.