Historic Announcement at Shravani Mela Inauguration; Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary Declares Renaming of Sultanganj to 'Ajgaivinath Dham', Demand Also Rises for Changing Railway Station's Name
Bhagalpur, Special Correspondent: On the auspicious occasion of the world-famous Shravani Mela, a highly significant and long-awaited announcement has emerged from the soil of Silk City Bhagalpur and Sultanganj. During the grand inaugural ceremony of the Shravani Mela, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary made a major declaration, officially announcing the renaming of the historic town of Sultanganj to 'Ajgaivinath Dham'. Following this announcement, there is not only immense enthusiasm among local residents and Shiva devotees, but this decision is also being widely praised in religious circles. From the stage itself, the Deputy Chief Minister instructed the concerned administrative officials to ensure the mention of this new name in official documents and correspondence henceforth.
Why Was the Need Felt to Rename Sultanganj to 'Ajgaivinath Dham'?
Sultanganj is not merely an administrative town, but a supreme pilgrimage center of Sanatan culture and the faith of crores of Shiva devotees:
Mythological and Historical Significance: Sultanganj is the sacred town situated on the banks of the northward-flowing Ganges, from where Kanwrias fill holy Ganges water to begin their arduous 'Bol Bom' journey. The temple of Lord Ajgaivinath located here is the core center of the region's spiritual identity.
Restoration of Cultural Identity: Local residents, saints, and public representatives had long been demanding that instead of a name associated with the era of subjugation or the Mughal period, this sacred land should be recognized by its original mythological and spiritual identity, 'Ajgaivinath Dham'. The Deputy Chief Minister's announcement honors this public sentiment.
Strict Directives to Officials During the Ceremony
Amidst the massive crowds and the presence of saints and sages on the auspicious occasion of the Shravani Mela's inauguration, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary issued clear directives to the administrative machinery:
Changes in Official Documents: Making the announcement from the stage, he instructed departmental officials to start using the name 'Ajgaivinath Dham' instead of Sultanganj on official papers, boards, and correspondence with immediate effect.
Activation of Mela Administration: Following this announcement, officials of the district administration and tourism department stated that necessary procedures in this direction would be initiated to give administrative and legal completeness to this name change.
Strong Demand Rises to Rename Sultanganj Railway Station
Following this major announcement, another core demand has rapidly emerged among regional citizens and rail passengers:
Station Name Should Also Be Changed: Local people and Kanwrias state that when the administrative and geographical name of the town has been changed to 'Ajgaivinath Dham', the Railway Board and East Central Railway (ECR) should also, without delay, change the name of Sultanganj Railway Station to 'Ajgaivinath Dham Junction' or 'Ajgaivinath Dham Station'.
Sentiments of Passengers: This railway station serves as the primary halting point for Shiva devotees arriving from every corner of the country by train. Consequently, changing the station name will instill a special religious and cultural connect for pilgrims arriving from afar. Citizens are preparing to submit a memorandum to the Ministry of Railways in this regard soon.
What Will Be Its Impact on the Shravani Mela?
This announcement has come at a time when Kanwrias from all over the world are arriving in Sultanganj:
Exuberance Among Devotees: Unprecedented enthusiasm is being witnessed among Kanwrias over this historic announcement at the mela's inauguration. Amidst chants of 'Har Har Mahadev', Shiva devotees consider this decision a tremendous gift from the court of Lord Bholenath.
Boost to Tourism: From the perspective of religious tourism, this naming will further strengthen the global identity of Ajgaivinath Dham, expected to drive a further surge in tourists and devotees visiting the area in the future.
The announcement made by Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary during the inauguration of the Shravani Mela to rename Sultanganj to 'Ajgaivinath Dham' adds a new chapter to the region's history. However, all eyes are now fixed on how swiftly this order is implemented at the administrative level and what steps the central government or the Ministry of Railways will take regarding the demand to change the railway station's name. For now, this announcement has created a celebratory atmosphere across the entire Bhagalpur and Sultanganj region.
