Kheri Hill Bhagalpur

Kheri Hill Bhagalpur

Kheri Hill, Shahkund in the district of Bhagalpur is situated at a distance of about ten kms. from Sultanganj. Shahkund owes its name to a big tank measuring 1300 ft. x 600 ft. on the northern edge of a grave of a Muslim saint named Shah Saheb. Evidently Shahkund means the tank of the Shah Saheb. The village proper is situated at the foot of a hillock called the Kheri Pahar (Hill). Remnants of old buildings and temples have been found on the Kherhi Hill and its vicinity. In a well of the village, large number of ancient relics consisting of broken sculptures and architectural pieces besides railings were found which clearly suggest that Shahkund had an ancient tradition. During the rule of Shashanka, the king of Bengal in the 7th century A.D. Shahkund appears to have been included within his kingdom. A number of ancient tanks, sculptural and architectural remains etc., presently existing at the site, appear to be belonging to the early medieval period. A number of religious sculptures, mostly of black stone, such as those of Nrisingha, Lakshmi, Vishnu, Ganesh, Durga, besides Buddha, Tara etc. were earlier found from this site. These are of great archaeological significance. Shahkund is particularly famous for the large number of Shivalingas, some of which are still existing on or near the site, one of which has a number of miniature Shivalingas (Sahasralinga) around its body.