19 places found
Hindu Temples One of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage sites in Bihar, enshrining a 40cm footprint of Lord Vishnu (Dharmasila) imprinted in basalt rock. Gaya is the foremost centre for Pind Daan — ancestral rites for the salvation of departed souls — drawing lakhs of devotees, especially during Pitru Paksha. The present 30 m octagonalspired temple was rebuilt by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1787 on the bank of the Falgu river.
Hindu Temples One of the most visited Hanuman temples in North India, standing right beside Patna Junction. It is among the busiest and richest temples in Bihar, famous for its Naivedyam (Tirupatistyle laddoo prasad). The temple trust funds hospitals and social causes, and set an example by appointing a Dalit priest alongside the traditional one.
Hindu Temples One of the 51 revered Shakti Peethas, where the right thigh of Goddess Sati is believed to have fallen. Located in the Maharajganj area of Old Patna, the temple enshrines three blackstone deities — Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. It is widely held that the very name 'Patna' derives from Patan Devi, making it deeply tied to the city's identity.
Hindu Temples Considered one of the oldest functional Hindu temples in India, the Archaeological Survey of India dates it to around 108 CE. This unusual octagonal stone shrine on the Kaimur plateau is dedicated to Goddess Mundeshwari (a form of Durga) and Lord Shiva, and is a prized example of early Nagarastyle architecture. It is famed for a bloodless animalworship ritual where offerings are 'sacrificed' by touch alone.
Hindu Temples An ancient temple dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, and one of Bihar's most important centres for Chhath Puja. Unusually, the temple faces west towards the setting sun rather than the rising sun, and rises as a striking 100ft shikhara. During Chhath, lakhs of devotees gather here to worship the sun across the fourday festival.
Hindu Temples An ancient Lord Shiva temple perched dramatically on a rock island in the middle of the Ganga at Sultanganj. It is the starting point of the famous Shravani Mela, when saffronclad Kanwariyas collect holy Ganga water here and carry it on foot to Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, about 100 km away. The rock is carved with ancient sculptures and inscriptions.
Hindu Temples One of the oldest and most revered Shiva temples of North Bihar, often called the 'Deoghar of Bihar'. The shrine centres on a selfmanifested Shivalinga, discovered — as legend tells — when a woodcutter's axe struck it and it began to bleed. It becomes a sea of devotees during the Shravani Mela, when Kanwariyas offer Ganga water to Baba Garibnath.
Hindu Temples A rare temple where Hari (Vishnu) and Hara (Shiva) are worshipped together in a single Shivalinga — half Shiva, half Vishnu. Set near the sacred confluence of the Gandak and Ganga, it is traditionally believed to have been founded by Lord Rama on his way to Sita's swayamvar. Every year it anchors the famous Sonepur Mela, once among Asia's largest cattle and elephant fairs.
Hindu Temples One of the revered Shakti Peethas dedicated to Maa Tara (a form of Durga/Shakti), nestled in a natural cave of the Kaimur hills near Sasaram. According to tradition, the right eye of Goddess Sati fell here. The tranquil hillside setting, with springs and rock outcrops, makes it both a sacred and scenic destination that fills with pilgrims during Navratri.
Hindu Temples Revered as the birthplace of Mata Sita, consort of Lord Rama. Tradition holds that when King Janaka ploughed a barren field, infant Sita emerged from the earth at this very spot. The complex houses the Janaki Janmasthali Mandir and the sacred Janaki Kund, and forms part of a 'sacred triangle' with Sitamarhi and Janakpur (Nepal). A grand redevelopment is underway to build a major Sita temple and pilgrim corridor.
Hindu Temples An ancient Shakti Peeth atop the Mangalagauri hill (Bhasmakoot Parvat) in Gaya, counted among the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas. The goddess is worshipped in the symbolic form of a breast, believed to be the spot where part of Sati's body fell. The present eastfacing temple dates to 1459 CE and is mentioned in several Puranas, making it a deeply venerated pilgrimage site.
Fairs & Festivals Gaya is India's foremost site for Pind Daan — the Hindu ritual of offering homage to departed ancestors. During the annual Pitrapaksha Mela, lakhs of pilgrims gather to perform Shraddha at the Falgu river and worship at the historic Vishnupad Temple, making it one of the most significant ancestralrite pilgrimages in the country.
Hills & Viewpoints A sacred hill rising to the south of Gaya, reached by a flight of around 424 steps and crowned by temples with sweeping views over the city. Named after a natural cleft on its summit revered as the 'yoni' of Brahma, it is an important site for pind daan during the Pitrapaksha Mela. The Buddha is also traditionally said to have preached here.
A sacred hill north of Gaya whose name means 'Hill of Spirits,' crowned by the Ahilya Bai temple built by Maratha queen Ahilya Bai Holkar in 1787. At its base lies Brahma Kund, where pilgrims bathe before performing pind daan for their ancestors. The summit offers wide views over the Gaya landscape.
A revered natural hot spring near Munger, linked in legend to Sita's fire ordeal (agni pariksha) from the Ramayana. The main warm spring is surrounded by cooler pools named Ram, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughna Kund. Its geothermal waters are believed to have healing properties, drawing pilgrims and visitors alike.
Nature & Waterfalls A famous cluster of sacred hot springs at the foot of the Vaibhavgiri hills in Rajgir, fed by streams known as the Saptdhara. Brahmakund, the hottest at around 45 °C, is revered by Hindus who believe the waters can cure ailments. The springs have drawn pilgrims for over two thousand years, set amid a landscape sacred to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism alike.
Rivers & Ghats A revered Ganga pilgrimage ghat near Barauni in Begusarai, believed to be the tapobhumi of King Janaka of Mithila. Every year it hosts a monthlong Kalpvas Mela on the riverbank, drawing thousands of devotees for ritual bathing and austerity. It is also the birthplace of the great Hindi poet Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar', adding literary pride to its spiritual fame.
A revered Shakti shrine near Benipatti in Madhubani, home to an unusual headless form of Goddess Durga (Chhinnamastika). Local tradition holds that the great poet Kalidasa was blessed with knowledge and wisdom here. A Siddhapeeth drawing devotees and seekers, it is especially crowded during Navratri and Durga Puja.
Hindu Temples 