Sun Temple Yatra

The shrines behind Chhath, Bihar's own festival

Plan this Yatra

What it is

Deo's sun temple faces west, which almost no temple in India does, and is said to have been built in a night. Umga's is black stone on a hill in Aurangabad. Kandaha's in Saharsa carries a Surya image on a seven-horse chariot. Around Chhath these fill; the rest of the year they are nearly empty.

Why it matters

Chhath is the largest thing that happens in Bihar and its shrines are almost unknown outside the state.

You will understand

• Why Deo faces west
• What the four days of Chhath actually are
• Why the sun is worshipped at setting before it is worshipped at rising

Best season

Oct - Mar. Chhath (Oct - Nov) is the reason to come.

Days for the whole yatra

2

The stops

• Deo Sun Temple: West-facing, which is almost unheard of, and the biggest Chhath gathering in the state.
• Umga Sun Temple: Black stone on a hill in Aurangabad, Nagara style, largely unvisited.
• Kandaha Surya Mandir: Saharsa. A Surya on a seven-horse chariot, in black basalt.
• Surya Mandir, Surajpur Bargaon: Nalanda, where a Chhath fair fills a village nobody else visits.
• Mora Talab Sun Temple: Biharsharif, a tank and a sun shrine on its edge.
• Simaria Ghat: Begusarai, on the Ganga, where a kalpvas is kept and Chhath is enormous.
• Kastaharni Ghat: Munger, where Ram is said to have bathed, and where Chhath fills the bank.

Experiences on this yatra

• Lifting water at Sultanganj: A hundred kilometres on foot in saffron, carrying Ganga water on a pole
• Chhath on the ghats: Bihar's own festival, and the largest thing that happens here
• Kalpvas at Simaria: A month living in a tent on the river, eating once a day

Know before you go

• During Chhath these towns are impassable and wonderful
• Deo and Umga are one day out of Gaya
• Kandaha and Surajpur Bargaon are far north-east; a separate leg

Questions pilgrims ask

How many days does the Sun Temple Yatra take?

2 days is right for most families. It can be done in 1, or stretched to 4.

When is the best time for the Sun Temple Yatra?

Oct - Mar. Chhath (Oct - Nov) is the reason to come..

Which places are on the Sun Temple Yatra?

Deo Sun Temple, Umga Sun Temple, Kandaha Surya Mandir, Surya Mandir, Mora Talab Sun Temple, Simaria Ghat, Kastaharni Ghat.

What should I know before the Sun Temple Yatra?

During Chhath these towns are impassable and wonderful. Deo and Umga are one day out of Gaya. Kandaha and Surajpur Bargaon are far north-east; a separate leg.

Plan my Yatra. Rather talk to someone? Call or WhatsApp +91 87893 56605, or contact us.