Shivgadi Dham Temple, Barhait: Mini Baba Dham of Jharkhand

Shivgadi Dham is located in Sahibganj district of Barhait, Santhal Pargana division of Jharkhand. Shivgadi Dham Temple is also famous as second Baba Dham or Mini Baba Dham of Jharkhand, This is the temple of ‘Baba Gajeshwar Nath‘ which is also known as ‘Shivgadhi’. This is also a very ancient and mythological temple. The temple is located inside a cave and the specialty of Shivgadi temple is that the mountain here (Rajmahal Hilla) continuously drops water on the Shiva Lingam present here.

This temple of Baba Gajeshwar Nath is situated at the height of the Rajmahal Hill, so devotees can only see the temple after climbing 195 steps of the stairs.

There is a huge banyan tree at the entrance of the temple

A huge Banyan tree is present above the entrance of the temple. It is believed that this Akshay Vat tree is present here only after Bodh Gaya. People here worship it in the name of Manokamna Kalpataru (banyan tree). Its cots are fluttering as if Lord Shankar’s cots are fluttering. A stone is tied at the root of this Kalpataru. It is believed that Baba Gajeshwar Nath fulfills every wish of the devotee by tying the stone here. There is a cascading waterfall nearby. Seeing which one feels as if nectar is flowing from Shiva’s hair.

When the devotees come here for darshan, the stream of this spring purifies them before entering this holy cave of Shivgadhi Babadham Temple.

Pitambari Shivling of Baba Gajeshwar Nath Mahadev is in the sanctum sanctorum

Pitambari Shivling of Baba Gajeshwar Nath Mahadev is situated in the sanctum sanctorum (cave). Where drops of water keep dripping on Baba Bholenath for twelve months from the rocks just above the Shivling. As if nature itself is performing Jalabhishek of Baba. The idol of Mother Parvati and Nandi is situated right in front of Shivling. Here the statue of Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya, both the sons of Shiva and Parvati, is also located inside the cave.

There are also footprints of Lord Shankar’s bull Nandi

There is another cave near the Shivling in the sanctum sanctorum (cave). It is believed that earlier Rishi Muni used to anoint Baba by bringing water from Uttar Vahini Ganga Rajmahal through this route. Now the mouth of this cave has been closed. The water falling from the waterfall outside this temple reaches a Shivganga. There are also two footprints of Nandi on a rock here. Moreover, you will be amazed to know that here water remains present on this footprint throughout the years.

Popular mythological belief about Shivgadi Temple | History of Shivgadi Dham

Regarding the establishment of this Shivling of Baba Gajeshwar Nath Mahadev, it is believed that it was established by a demon named Gajasur who was the son of Mahishasura. Its description is also found in Shiva Purana. It is said that Gajasur did the penance of Lord Shiva here for thousands of years by standing on the thumb and then got that boon. After this he became a tyrant. Then Lord Shankar killed him on the call of the sages, but while dying, he got a boon that this Shivling established by you will now be known by your name only. Here it is said about the feet of Nandi that when Lord Shankar killed Gajasura riding on Nandi, Nandi stood on two feet and his footprints fell on the rock.

Along with this, it is also believed that Arjuna got the darshan of Lord Shankar on this Devana mountain during Mahabharata period. It is said that in the 16th century King Mansingh worshiped in this temple and since then people started coming here. The tribals here have a lot of faith in this temple and they named this temple as ‘Shivgadi’ which means ‘the house of Shiva’.

How to reach Shivgadi Dham Temple?

The nearest railway station to reach Shivgadi is Barharwa Junction railway station. This is about 26 kilometres from the temple and is located on the Howrah-Delhi loop line. Buses, taxis, autos are also available to Shivgadi Dham at all times from Barhait and Barharwa Railway Station. The distance of Shivgadi from these places (by road) is as follows:-

• Sahibganj – 50 km
• Pakur – 50 km
• Godda – 60 km
• Dumka – 100 km
• Deoghar – 160 km