Baba Dhaneshwar Nath Shiva Temple is situated in Murli Pahad, also known locally as Mundli, in the Rajmahal area of Sahibganj district, Jharkhand. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Baba Dhaneshwar Nath. The Lord is represented in the form of a Shivling.
The temple architecture is simple and traditional, featuring a stone-built sanctum that houses the Shivling.
The temple is believed to be around 1000 years old. Over the centuries, it has grown from a small place of worship into a sacred pilgrimage site for devotees from Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and even farther states. Devotees believe that Baba Dhaneshwar Nath fulfils the heartfelt wishes of those who pray here with sincerity and devotion. The name “Dhaneshwar” means Lord of Wealth and Prosperity.
Many centuries ago, the place where the temple now stands was a dense forest at the foot of Murli Pahad in the Rajmahal area. Villagers mainly used the land for grazing cattle. One day, a shepherd noticed something unusual. While a cow was grazing, it suddenly stopped, stood over a particular spot, and milk began to flow from its udder onto the ground without anyone milking it.
This strange event caught the attention of the villagers. They thought it might be a one-time incident, but the same thing happened again with another cow, and again at the very same place. The milk always flowed onto a small mound of earth, and the cows would not move until they had poured their milk there.
Curious and filled with wonder, the villagers decided to dig at that spot. As they removed the soil, they discovered a naturally formed Shivling. They realized that this was no ordinary place—Lord Shiva Himself had revealed His presence here through this miracle. The villagers began worshipping the Shivling under the open sky.
Over time, they built a small thatched hut to protect the sacred spot. The fame of this divine occurrence spread to nearby villages and towns, and more people began visiting to seek the blessings of Baba Dhaneshwar Nath. The name “Dhaneshwar” is believed to have been given because the Lord blesses His devotees with both prosperity and spiritual wealth.
As the years passed, the small hut was replaced by a stone temple built with the efforts of devotees. The Shivling has remained in the same original spot since it was first discovered. Even today, devotees believe that offering prayers here with full faith can fulfil wishes, remove difficulties, and bring peace to one’s life.
During the Sawan month, the temple witnesses its grandest celebrations as thousands of Kanwariyas bring holy water from the north-flowing Ganga at Rajmahal Ghat to offer jalabhishek on the Shivling, with Mondays being the busiest, filled with chanting, bhajans, and a festive fair-like atmosphere. Maha Shivratri is another major occasion, marked by night-long prayers, devotional music, and special rituals dedicated to Lord Shiva.
