SINGHESWAR - SINGHESWAR MAHADEO TEMPLE

The glory of this temple finds a place is Varahapuram. According to it, once Lord Siva left for Slesh Atmak forest, for meditation, informing Nandikeswar not to divulge His whereabouts to any. It was at this time, Brahma, Vishnu and Indra visited Nandikeshwar and asked him about Siva's presence. When denied, they went in search of Siva. Lord Siva, seeing them approaching changed Himself into a deer. On recognition, they tried to catch Him. Indra succeeded in catching the top portion of horn; Brahma middle of it and Vishnu the root. When they gave a pull, the horn broke into three pieces, and the deer too disappeared. They heard an aerial voice that Lord Siva would not be found to them and they must be satisfied with the horn pieces they were in possession of. Indra installed his piece, in heaven; Brahma there itself, whereas Maha Vishnu installed it in Bhuloka for the salvation of humanity. And that sacrosanct place was called then Singheswar. Later a suitable temple was built and a Sivalinga along with other gods were installed for regular worship. Due to raining of boons by the Lord, the place became a great yatrasthala.

The annual Sivaratri festival lures lakhs of devotees; a Mela-cattle fair too is held, and it is deemed to be the biggest next to that of Sonepur Mela in Bihar state.

It lies 12 km off Madhipura on the Sonepur-Kathihar railway line of North Eastern Railway, and from there four wheelers have to be engaged for reaching the temple

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