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The origin of the Shiva temple at Sonepur known as Hariharnath is shrouded in mystery. A large section of orthodox Hindus believe that Rama built the temple on his way to Janakpur to win Sita. There is, however, no reference to this in the Ramayana. But that Rama passed this way is established. It is a fact that the whole of Tirhut division is imbued with the Rama- Sita cult and there are a large number of temples throughout the Tirhut division, consisting of Champaran, Saran, Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga (Mithila) districts, which commemorate the deeds of Rama, Sita, Valmiki, etc. It may be correct to assume that this Hariharnath temple might have originated in this manner.
The present temple, however, is not old. We see a single square chamber, constituting of the cella, with a simple ordinary roof, rising to a point, and with a narrow porch in front. These are the constituents of our simplest form of temple, and in the present example we find them in as simple forms as now are traceable among the existing and recorded monuments.
There is a stray reference to the temple of Hariharnath during the Subedarship of Raja Man Singh who is said to have done some repair work. Raja Ram Narain, a noted figure of Bihar, built the present temple during the later Mughal period. The temple has been recently reconstructed by the Birlas. The temple of Hariharnath Mahadeo is the principle place of worship here but several smaller temples also receive the offerings of pilgrims. Among these are the Kali Asthan and the Panch Devata Mandir; the latter was built by a priestess who claimed to have built the temple with the offerings she received.
Sonepur is considered a very holy place and the ceremonial bathing in the Ganga in the month of Kartik is held by the orthodox Hindus to be a great act of virtue. Another great attraction is the fair which is held during the whole period of Ganga man (bath). It lasts for about a month, but is at its height for two days before and two days after the bathing in the Ganga on the day of the full moon (Kartik Purnamasi). Immense crowds assemble. The roads leading to Sonepur from all the sides are literally packed with people for a few days.
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