The only Sun temple of north Bihar suffers utter neglect even as devotees are bracing to celebrate Chhath.

One of the 12 famous Sun temples across the country, this one, at Kandaha near Satarbar village in Mahishi block of Saharsa district, dates back to 1453 AD according to an inscription, deciphered to have in prototype Mithilakshara.

It has been engraved on the front door of the temple, which is thronged by a large number of devotees from far-flung areas everyday. Riding on seven horses, the 4ft high black stone statue of Bhavaditya, deity of power and intelligence, according to historical records, was installed centuries ago by the Mithila ruler of Oyeenbar dynasty of Karnat descent, Harisingh Deo.

However, the black stone statue in sanctum sanctorum stands defaced and fragmented because of negligence of the state archaeological department and lack of proper upkeep over the years.

Legends, apart from some historical mention, have it that a Muslim ruler of the then Bengal, Kala Pahad, once vowed to dismantle all Hindu temples here and there and it was under this plan that he invaded this Bhavaditya (Sun temple) at Kandaha situated in the Kosiland. Though the black stone statue could not be uprooted and destroyed, some portions of the deity’s statue were mutilated.

In spite of the destruction unleashed by the Muslim ruler, the temple was still in existence with thousands of worshippers offering puja here everyday. The temple has two ponds and a well surrounding its premises with the water of which devotees of their prayer to the Sun god and it is widely believed that this water had a healing touch to rid people of all physical ailments. After the invasion of the Muslim ruler, a devotional poet and saint of Mithila region, Laxmi Nath Gosain, in the 18th century, as per records, undertook renovation of this temple. But it remained neglected and in oblivion too after that. Later, a boundary wall was put up around it.

Saharsa sub-divisional officer Rajesh Kumar Singh said he would draw the district magistrate’s attention towards the poor condition of the Kandaha Sun temple. He, however, clarified that the renovation and upkeep of the temple was the responsibility of the art and culture department.

In 1992, the state archaeological department took the temple in its possession, considering it as an important cultural and historical monument. But never since then the department took any step to ensure the temple’s development, alleged the priest of the temple, Babulal Jha.

“The ponds and the sacred well in the vicinity of the temple were in a shambles but none was there to take care of. These ponds could have been the best spots to celebrate Chhath if renovated,” said Prabhu Narain Lal Das of Kandaha, about 14km west of Saharsa town.