Angrabari Shiva temple (Ameshwar Dham), Khunti, Jharkhand

Angrabari Shiva Temple, Khunti District is an important religious and cultural site its unique architecture, historical significance and religious festivals.

Introduction

Ameshwar Dham is situated in Khunti district of Jharkhand state which is called by the local people as Angrabari Shiva temple. This temple was built in 1985 by Shankaracharya Swami Late Rupanand Saraswati and was named Ameshwar Dham.

This temple is situated at a distance of about 9 kilometers from Khunti district headquarters. This temple is spread over 8 acres of land. In which many temples of gods and goddesses have been built. Out of which the main temple is of Lord Shiva.

Here one can see the temples of Shri Ganesh, Durga Mata, Shankat Mochan Hanuman, Yoga Mandap, Radha Krishna, Mata Parvati, Kali Mata, Shani Dev in front of Shiva temple. Out of which the highest dome is of Mata Durga Devi, which is about 200 feet high.

It is also called Mini Baba Dham of Jharkhand. In this temple, the temple of Lord Shiva is situated under a mango tree. Here all the worship starts at 6 in the morning. The gates of all the temples here remain closed from 1 pm to 2 pm.

Importance of Angrabari Shiva Temple

The importance of Angrabari Shiva Temple is that this temple is situated under a banyan tree. Earlier there used to be a mango tree here. The roof of the Shiva temple has not been built.

There are some stories behind this, the local people believe that when the construction work of the roof was going on in the Angrabari Shiva temple i.e. the temple of Ameshwar Dham. Then the people here were told by Lord Shiva in a dream that the roof of this temple should not be built.

If there is no roof, the wish will be fulfilled soon. And this thing also came true, because all the devotees who came here with their wishes. All their wishes were fulfilled. This is the reason why the roof of the temple was not built.

In today’s time, glass has been installed on the roof of this Shiva temple. So that light keeps coming on the temple. The main temple here is Shiva Dham. In which hundreds of bells have been hung. So that many devotees can perform Puja and ring the temple bell at the same time.

Apart from worship in this temple, worship of vehicles, marriage, Bhawan, Bhajan, Kirtan, Yagya, discourse, religious and cultural programs, and Kanwar Yatra fair in the month of Shravan, in which lakhs of people participate in Kanwar Yatra.

Historical perspective of the temple

There is a story behind this temple, about 70 years ago all the vehicles coming and going here used to break down. Similarly, due to the breakdown of the garden of the local people here, he was roaming around the forest.

There he saw a statue like Shivling under a mango tree. But he ignored it and went away. Later that night, the Shivling came in his dream and told him to ignore it. After that time, a temple was built at this place. Later, this religious place was named Ameshwar by Rishi Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati.

From then till today, lakhs of devotees come here. Here, water from Bharano River, Swarnarekha and Karu River is brought and offered at this Dham. If the local people are to be believed, there is a queue of up to 5 kilometers at this Angrabari Shiv Mandir Dham.

Establishment of the temple

The Lord Shiva temple was established in 1985 in Angrabari Shiva temple. Where people were feeling a wonderful power under a mango tree. When an organization was formed for the construction of temples here.

At that time in 1985, Angrabari Shiva temple was named Ameshwar Dham. Later, Rishi Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati Sanstha was formed for the development of this institution and for the development of temples on the total 8 acres of land of the temple.

Today, there are more than 8 temples here by this institution. The tallest of them is of Mata Durga Devi ji. But the most religious temple here is of Bhagwan Shiva.

Architecture of the temple

The architecture of the temple is not special, but the main thing here is that the Shivling has been established under a banyan tree. Which is situated at the same place since ancient times. There is no cemented roof of any kind in this temple.

With time, leaves of banyan tree used to fall inside the temple. For this reason, the roof of the temple has been made of glass. All the other temples present here have roofs. Small size idols have been installed in each temple.

Which looks like marble. All the idols have been installed here. Except one which is the Shivling of Lord Shiva. The construction work of the temples has been done with bricks, cement, rods, concrete, tiles etc.

Religious importance

Many festivals are organized here throughout the year. Which are done according to the deities present here. Apart from this, worship of vehicles, marriages, havans etc. are done in the temples from time to time. A grand fair is organized here in the month of Shravan.

Kanwar Yatra is done in this grand fair. In which devotees from far and wide come here to offer water. Apart from this, many types of religious and cultural programs are organized on Shivratri. People come here to pour water after taking water from Bharanu, Swarn Rekha and Karu rivers.

During Durga Puja, it is celebrated as the biggest festival here. At that time, people from all the nearby villages and devotees from far and wide come here to have darshan of the mother. Apart from this, Lord Shani Dev is worshipped here.

A fair is also organized here on Ramnavami. Religious and cultural programs are also done at this time. Ramayana is recited at that time. There are different priests for each temple in this temple, about which the priest here can tell the whole story. You can know about the history of this temple from the priest here.

Geographical location of the temple

As soon as you enter the main gate of the temple, the first thing you see is the temple of Mata Durga Devi ji. This temple is visible from a very far distance. Its height is said to be about 200 feet. After this there is a temple of Ram-Sita, Hanuman, Shani Dev, Lord Ganesha, Shiv Parvati.

Here all the temples are seen in a row. The structure of all the temples is different from all others. This Angrabari Shiv Mandir Dham is located on Torpa Road in Khunti district. You can easily reach here by road.

A small market-like shop has been opened around the temple. In which all the items related to worship are available. So if for some reason you are not able to bring the worship material here, then you will get it here.

Travel route and transport facilities

• By Air: Birsa Munda Airport is the nearest airport to Angrabari. Which is about 25 km away from Angrabari.
• By Train: There is no railway station in Angrabari. The nearest station to Angrabari is Hatia Railway Station.
• By Road: It is located on Khunti-Torpa Road, 9 km away from Khunti District Headquarters. It is about 30 km away from Ranchi.

Main attractions

The main attractions of Angrabari Shiva Temple are the Shiva temple and the temple of Mata Durga Devi. The Shiva temple is prominent because it is located under a banyan tree. Hundreds of bells are seen hanging here.

The roof of this temple is made of glass. When the light from the sky falls on the Shivalinga, it starts shining. Its beauty increases even more. The dome of the Maa Durga Devi Temple is the highest among the temples here. Its height is about 200 feet.

It has been built using ancient artwork. Due to which its beauty can be seen from a distance. The rest of the temples have been built in a simple manner.

Major places around Angrabari Shiva Temple

1. Birsa Mrig Vihar / Dear Park
2. Ulihatu
3. Perwaghagh Waterfall
4. Rain Waterfall
5. GEL Church Sarvda
6. Panchghagh Waterfall
7. Dombari Buru

Management and conservation of the temple

Angarabari Shiva temple, which is known as Ameshwar Dham. The conservation work here is done by Rishi Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati Sansthan. Also, many development works have been done here by the local government at present. Many works can also be seen in the temple premises.

Which have been done by the local government here. Here the deities of all the temples are taken care of by the priests here. There is one priest for each temple, who takes care of the temple through the institution according to their own.

Talking about the development here, it is done by both the government and the institution. Help is also taken from the government for big work. Apart from this, the amount received from donations etc. is spent on the development work of the temple. This place is considered completely safe. Devotees worship here and leave.

Social and Cultural Impact

If we look at Ameshwar Dham, then it has benefited the local people in religious, social and cultural terms. Due to the existence of this temple, unemployed people of the local population open their own shops to earn their livelihood. Many people also earn their livelihood by working in the temple.

Socially, people here are earning their livelihood by the help received from the devotees coming here. This temple has a social impact to protect the Hindu religion. Which can be a possibility of protecting the religion in the coming times.

This temple is situated as a heritage so that the faith of Hindu religion and its social-culture are not forgotten. Only then the devotees here move towards the faith of God, and do not forget their Sanatan Dharma.

Their identity, their customs, respect, reverence, devotion, attachment towards God, their faith, all this is possible due to the existence of this temple.

What are the facilities available in Amareshwar Dham?

This temple is located at a distance of about 45 kms from Ranchi. It is situated on the side of the Torpa road going to Ranchi.

A local market is available here for food and drink. And rooms are available in the market for staying. Talking about hotels, I did not find any big hotel. Local cuisine is available for eating. Amareshwar Dham also has other places like marriage hall, Dharamshala, temple courtyard, Havan Kund etc.

Reasonable price for vehicle worship

SL. No.	Vehicle Name	New Prise (In. Rs.)	Old Prise (In. Rs.)
1.	18 Wheeler	1000	175
2.	Poklen 14 Wheeler	750	600
3.	12 Wheeler	650	550
4.	JCB	600	450
5.	10 Wheeler	550	400
6.	6 Wheeler (Bus & Truck)	500	350
7.	4 Wheeler	400	250
8.	3 Wheeler	250	200
9.	2 Wheeler	150	100
10.	Trackter	500	400

Marriage ceremony and

Registration fee

• Boy side – Rs. 1300
• Girl side – Rs. 1100

Pandit’s dakshina

• Boy side – Rs. 200
• Girl side – Rs. 200
• Photo fee – Rs. 100

Dharamshala rent

• Two storey across the road – Rs. 13000 Advance amount – Rs. 7500
• Big hall across the road – Rs. 7500 Advance amount – Rs. 5000
• Two storey building – Rs. 6100 Advance amount – Rs. 4000
• Building one and two – Rs. 800
• Two rooms – Rs. 500

Some rules of Angrabari Shiv Mandir

1. Entry in the temple in a drunken state is prohibited.
2. Before entering the temple, definitely remove shoes and leather belt.
3. Maintain cleanliness in the temple premises, Dharamshala, well, pond, hand pump.
4. Contact the office before making any offerings in the temple.
5. Maintain the dignity of the temple premises. Indecent conduct will be considered a criminal act.
6. Consumption of non-edible items and gambling is prohibited in the temple premises.
7. Do not damage any movable or immovable property of Amreshwar Dham.
8. Organizing any kind of social, political or caste conference meeting in Amreshwar Dham is prohibited.
9. Do not come to the temple wearing expensive jewelry and ornaments during crowd.
10. The witnesses present are required to present the Election Commission ID card or UID.
11. Booking of Dharamshala for marriage, Mundan, Yajnopavit ceremony will be considered effective from 6 am to 6 pm every day. After this, the full rent will be payable separately.

FAQs for Angrabari Shiva Temple