With Sawan just days away, the annual Kanwar Yatra rush has already begun on the roads leading through Purnia, as Shiv devotees from Assam, West Bengal, Nepal and neighbouring states head toward Baba Baidyanath Dham. Hindu tradition holds Sawan as the most auspicious month for worshipping Lord Shiva, with sincere prayer during these weeks believed to fulfil devotees' wishes, though the faith of Bholenath's followers has never really been confined to a single month. Along this route, one temple has once again become the pilgrims' most trusted halt, and for a district that sits squarely on this highway corridor, that stopover has grown into something of a local institution during the pilgrimage season.
The temple sits on NH-31, by the Kari Kosi river
The Shri Shri 108 Siddheshwarnath Mahadev Mandir stands near the Harda Bazar bridge on the bank of the Kari Kosi river, in Mainimath Maranga Milki Ward No. 9, right along NH-31. Because it sits directly on the highway, it is often the first stop travellers coming from any direction notice, and footfall keeps climbing through the Sawan season as kanwariyas pause here in growing numbers.
Local legend traces the temple back to trader Chandu Saudagar
According to villagers, this old temple was originally built by a trader named Chandu Saudagar. Its riverside setting gives it a green, peaceful character that sets it apart from other shrines nearby, which is part of why devotees travelling long distances choose to pause here rather than press on. Inside, alongside Bholenath, the complex also houses idols of Mata Parvati, Ganesh ji, Lord Kartikeya, Radha-Krishna, Hanuman ji and Maa Durga, giving the site the feel of a full pantheon rather than a single deity's shrine. Locals say the combination of scenic surroundings and multiple deities under one roof is what keeps drawing footfall back to this particular temple year after year.
Kanwariyas from Assam to Odisha break their journey here
Since Purnia lies directly on NH-31, kanwariyas travelling to Deoghar from Assam, Bengal, Nepal, Odisha, Kathmandu, Siliguri and Farakka routinely stop at this temple along the way. Most devotees first offer prayers to Bholenath and make their wishes known, then take prasad from the community feast before setting off again toward Baba Dham. For pilgrims deep into a gruelling trek, this stop offers both physical rest and a moment of mental calm.
A 42 day free service camp and community kitchen
This year, temple organisers have also launched a 42 day free service camp and Mahabhandara for kanwariyas. Through this period, every devotee who arrives will have access to food, prasad, rest and even overnight stay arrangements at no cost. The camp's inauguration was attended by Deputy Mayor Pallavi Gupta and Bhola Sah, along with local committee members Suman Kumar Das, Tapas Kumar Das, Bhola Mehta, Sapan Ghosh and Tuntun Kumar.
Volunteers say serving pilgrims selflessly is their biggest duty
Committee members said that, just as in previous years, a team of local youth has once again taken up the responsibility of running the camp with devotion and faith. According to them, food, drinking water, rest and stay will remain available free of cost to every kanwariya passing through over the next 42 days, so that no pilgrim faces hardship during the long journey.
