Konch Temple History

The temple is a square building, the dimension of which on the outside is 27 ft 6 inches square with a chamber inside 11 feet square. The entrance is to the East. The height is nearly 70 ft. It has two storeys. The lower storey is vaulter in the Hindu fashion, that is it has two arched roofs meeting in a ridge. The upper storey is formed by bricks overlapping on all the four sides till they meet at a point. The doorway is almost as high as the room inside. Konch served as the model for the Mahabodhi Temple. There is a Linga of Koncheswar Mahadeva inside the temple.

In Hiuen Tsang’s description, this temple is stated to have been built by a Brahman. The might have constructed during 1st and 6th Century AD. To the east of the temple, there is a large sheet of water with brick-covered compounds on all sides. In the west, there is a ruined temple, 12 feet 3 inches square inside, and at the north-western corner, there is second ruined temple only 7 ft 8 inches square inside, with walls 2 ft 9.5 inches thick. The temple is daily visited by a large number of local devotees. Special Poojas will be performed on a Shivaratri day and other auspicious days to propitiate Lord Siva when large crowds visit the temple.

The Konch Village which stands to the south of the lake and the great temple had several sculptured images of which the best are a figure of Vishnu and a seated Buddha.

How to reach Konch Temple?

By Air

1. The nearest airport is at Patna which is 113 km away.

By Train

1. Konch can be reached by train from Patna station.

By Road

1. The direct bus is available from all parts of the state to Konch.

Reference Link: History

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Sultanganj temple History

Sultanganj is traditionally linked with Sage Jahnu. River Ganga on her way to the Ocean disturbed the Sage Jahnu with her fast-moving waves. Sage who got angered swallowed the river in a gulp.

As per the Legend, Lord Siva was given his bow here, known as Ajgaivi. Hence the place called by Ajgaivinath. The ancient name of the place was Jahangira which was derived from the name Jahnu Muni. Jahangira is derived from the name of Jahnu Giri (the hill of Jahnu).

Traditionally Sultanganj formed a part of the great Anga state. In the day of the Mahabarata, Karna, the elder brother of Pandavas ruled in Anga. At present Champanagar, the site of Karna’s Castle is well known as Karnagarh.

Sultanganj was famous during the rule of Pala and Sena Kings from 730 AD to 1199 AD. It is said that Dharmapala, the first King of Pala dynasty had laid the foundation of the Vikramshila University at Sultanganj.

The Murli Hill of Sultanganj situated just on the bank of the Ganga, from where one has to take the boat to visit Ajgaivinath Temple at mid-Ganga. It is believed that Lord Siva self-manifested here in the temple.

Formerly the hill was much bigger and more spacious. This part of Ganga has high floods with very strong currents almost every year and the decaying rocks of the hill are being slowly worn away.

How to reach Sultanganj temple?

By Air

1. Patna airport is 217 km from Sultanganj. From where the temple can be reached by train and bus.

By Train

1. Sultanganj railway station is 1.4 km from the temple. The direct train is available from Patna to Sultanganj.

By Road

1. Temple is easily reachable from all parts of Bihar.

Reference Link: History

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Mandar Hill History

Mandar Hill is about 700 ft high and is 30 miles from the Bhagalpur Town. It was mentioned in Skanda Purana, that this Hill was used as the churning stick to Churn Kshir Sagar.

As per the Legend, Titiksha, the second son of Mahanamas, the 7th in descent from Anu, has founded the Kingdom Anava and named it after it’s ancestors. The Asura King Bali had five sons from his wife Sudeshna, namely, Anga, Vanga, Kalinga, Pundra and Sumha. The Anava Kingdom was expanded under the demon King and five kingdoms were carved out of it and named after his five sons. Separated from Magadha by the river Champa.

The relics on Mandar Hill indicated a confluence of two religions Hinduism and Jainism. It is believed that King in Karnataka, Chola by name took bath in the holy tank Papaharini and relieved from leprosy disease on Makar Sankranti day. On Makar Sankranti day, thousands of devotees take bath in this holy tank from 4:00 am – 12:00 pm.

There are 3 routes which lead from Papaharini tank to the top of the hill, the path a little to the east is much used. On this path, stairs have been cut out of the stone. The legend is that these stairs had been cut at the instance of King Ugra Bhairab.

Temples on top of the Hill were desecrated by Kala Pahar.

How to reach Mandar Hill?

By Air

1. Patna Airport is 278 km away.

By Train

1. The nearest railway station is at Banka which is 18 km away. The direct trains are available from Patna station.

By Road

1. Temple can be reached from Patna or Bhagalpur stations easily.

Mandar Hill Images

Reference Link: History

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