Photo: Aurangabad District Administration / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
📍 Aurangabad, South Bihar, Bihar
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 100-ft shikhara. During Chhath, lakhs of devotees gather here to worship the sun across the four-day festival.
The Deo Sun Temple (Deo Surya Mandir) at Deo, southeast of Aurangabad, is a revered solar shrine dedicated to Lord Surya. Local tradition places its origins in remote antiquity, and its distinctive black-stone tower with an umbrella-like crown makes it one of the most recognisable temples in the region.
Its west-facing orientation is unusual among sun temples and adds to its mystique. The site is best known for Chhath Puja, when devotees offer arghya to the sun at dawn and dusk over four days of fasting and worship.
September to April. Chhath Puja (October–November) is the peak season.
Forts & Palaces A vast, sprawling hill fort perched high on the Kaimur plateau above the Son river, spread over several kilometres. Rich in Hindu and later Mughalera history, it holds palaces, temples, mosques and gateways amid dense forest. Reaching it involves a steep trek, rewarding visitors with dramatic ruins and sweeping valley views.
Nature & Waterfalls A tall, dramatic waterfall in the Kaimur Range near Sasaram whose plunge throws up so much spray that it looks like rising smoke — hence the name 'Dhua' (smoke) Kund. It is a popular ecotourism and picnic spot best seen in the monsoon. Trekking, camping and birdwatching are possible in the surrounding forest.
Nature & Waterfalls A scenic seasonal waterfall in the Kaimur Range near Sasaram, where water cascades over rocky steps into a deep natural pool. A popular monsoon picnic spot surrounded by forest, it lies close to its twin, Dhua Kund. The lush setting and cool spray make it a favourite weekend escape for the Rohtas region.
Historical & Ruins The magnificent mausoleum of Sher Shah Suri, the great 16thcentury emperor who founded the Sur dynasty and built the Grand Trunk Road. This grand domed tomb of red sandstone stands dramatically on a stone plinth in the middle of an artificial lake, regarded as one of the finest examples of IndoIslamic architecture in eastern India.
