Photo: Biharpro7252 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
📍 Bhagalpur, East Bihar, Bihar
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 saffron-clad 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.
The Ajgaibinath Temple (Ajgaibinath Dham) sits on a granite rock rising out of the Ganga at Sultanganj. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the site is dotted with ancient rock-cut sculptures and inscriptions, and is one of Bihar's most atmospheric river shrines.
Its greatest fame comes during the Shravani Mela in the month of Shravan, when hundreds of thousands of Kanwariyas fill their pitchers with Ganga water at Sultanganj and walk barefoot to the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga at Deoghar. This makes it a key node of one of India's largest annual pilgrimages.
October to March for pleasant weather; Shravan (July–August) for the grand Shravani Mela.
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.
Forts & Palaces A historic riverside fort on the south bank of the Ganga, built across a rocky projection and once a stronghold of medieval rulers. It served as a base for Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, in the 18th century. Within its walls lie old gateways, palaces, tombs and colonialera buildings alongside fine views of the river.
A large wildlife sanctuary in the hills of southern Munger district, famous for its cluster of natural hot springs — among the hottest in Bihar at 52–65 °C. Dense forest shelters leopards, deer, wild boar and rich birdlife. The remote, unspoilt setting makes it a rewarding destination for wildlife and nature enthusiasts.
Historical & Ruins Vikramshila was one of the two greatest Buddhist universities of ancient India, alongside Nalanda, founded by the Pala king Dharmapala in the late 8th century. It was a leading centre of Tantric Buddhism and produced renowned scholars such as Atisha Dipankara, who carried Buddhism to Tibet. Its imposing cruciform stupa and grid of monk cells, set beside the Ganga, make it a quiet, evocative heritage site.
