Ajgaivinath Temple | Ajgaibinath Temple

Situated at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur District, Ajgaivinath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that the deity of the temple is Swayambhu. The temple is constructed on a rock and has a series of excellent rock sculptures and inscriptions. The sculpture dates back to the Pala period. The splashing waters of the Ganga sanctify the area.

Sultanganj has a railway station on the loop-line of the Eastern
Railway running from Kolkata to Kiul. It is also served by road connecting Bhagalpur with Monghyr and Patna.

Ajgaivinath Temple in 1811- 1878

Jungeira Pagoda at Sultan Gunge" [on the Ganges, in Bihar], a steel engraving by E. H. Locker and W. Alexander, from 'A General Collection of the Best and Most Interesting Voyages and Travels in All Parts of the World' by John Pinkerton (London: Longman, Hurst, Rees & Orme, 1811)

"Janghera on the Fakeer's Rock on the Ganges" (at Sultanganj), a steel engraving by C.Stanfield and J. Sands, 1850's

"Devinath, Sultangunge on the Ganges" (in Bihar), a wood engraving by Bickers & Son, London, 1878

For More Information

The Sultanganj Buddha in detail.

The Sultanganj Buddha is 2.3m high and 1m at its widest point and weighs about 500kgs. It was cast by the technique known as the 'lost wax' process, in which a solid core of clay is overlaid with wax. The sculptor models the fine details in the wax coating. The wax is covered with a liquid layering of clay and plaster which hardens to form a mould. When heat is applied the wax melts and molten metal is poured in. The finished statue is finally obtained by removing the outer casting when cool.

The Sultanganj Buddha is a splendid example of the renowned Gupta sculptural style which itself had been shaped by European and Persian influences that came to India through the trade routes with Rome and West Asia.

The Sultanganj Buddha conveys an image of calm and tranquillity and a spiritual detachment from the material world . The Buddha's sangathi (monastic robe) clings so closely to the body that it is almost invisible, but for a series of string-like folds, giving the figure a wet-looking appearance. The right hand is raised in abhayamudra (a gesture of reassurance or protection) while the left hand, with palm outward and held downwards indicates the granting of a favour.