Budhanath Temple

Spread over three acres, Budhanath temple is on the banks of the Uttarvahini (flowing from south to north) Ganga river. the oldest temple situated in Bhagalpur town, it hardly takes twenty minutes by road to reach this temple. Giving the citation of Shivapurana, says the priest Shivanaryan Giri there are 108 Nath in India and Budhanath is one of them.
the original name of Baba Budhanath which is mentioned in Shivapurana, is Baba Bal Vridheshwarnath. the name of Baba Bal Vridheshwarnath has been mentioned in the first section of the eighth chapter of Shivapurana and the present name is the result of many years of incorrect pronunciation. the linga of this temple is self incarnated but as to when it originated, is still a mystery. Vashishtha Muni, guru of Lord Rama, by following all necessary holy rituals established the linga during Satyuga.
About two hundred years ago, it is said Mahant Balwanand Giri dreamt of the Shivalinga lying around somewhere. He started to explore and finally reached the place where the linga was buried deep underground. He cleaned it carefully and started to worship it. this was during the British regime in India. the British Supreme Court of England pronounced the death sentence to two brothers of Sakarpur Estate (presently Khagaria). Luckily both lives were saved by Mahant Balwanand Giri and in turn both brothers made the Shiva temple.
Simple like many other temples but very spacious, the entire temple is painted in white colour. Rajasthani marble was used on the floor of temple. Being a Siddhapeetha, a large numbers of devotees visit the place everyday.
During the month of Shravan (August) lakhs of devotees arrive here to worship the Shivalinga traditionally with bel patra, milk, Gangajal and flowers. On this day the Shivalinga can be seen in special shringar with flowers of multiple colours. the whole day the priest of this temple with other priests organises Rudrabhishek and maha arti. the entire temple at that time is decorated with special lights.
Other than the Shivalinga idols of Ganesha, Ma Parvati, Nandi, Radha- Krishna and many gods and goddesses can also be seen. there is also a temple of Ma Bhavani beside the Shivalinga. As per legend the idol of Ma Bhavani is actually that of Ma Chandi of Munger, that travelled from Munger through the Ganga river and banked near the Budhanath temple. One day the goddess came in the dreams of a man there on the premises. He found and placed her on the campus of Budhanath temple.
Goats are sacrificed here every Tuesday and Saturday, when a large crowd descends here from adjoining areas. the second branch of Baba Vridheshwarnath temple is located in Rishikund of Bariyarpur which falls in Munger division. there are seven waterfalls of different colours and as per mythological claims, leprosy can be cured if infected person takes a dip in all the seven different waterfalls.