Baidyanath Temple, Deoghar, Jharkhand
Baidyanath Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Deoghar in the Santhal Parganas division of the state of Jharkhand, India. The temple is considered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples. Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple is also known as Baba Baidyanath Dham and Baidyanath Dham. It is a temple complex consisting of the main temple of Baba Baidyanath, where the Jyotirlinga is installed, and 21 other temples.
Deogarh is also known as Vaidyanath, Haritaki Vana, Ketaki Vana, Ravana Vana, Chithabhoomi and Hardapeetha. The Temple is also one among 51 Shakti Peetha, where 'Yoni Peetha' of the Jyotirlinga itself is considered as the Shakti Peetha. This is the place where Shakthi's heart is supposed to have fallen and is worshiped as Jaya Durga. Bhairava is also called Baidyanath.
Legends
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History
The Matsya Purana narrates the place as Arogya Baidyanathitee, the holy place where Shakti lives and assists Shiva in freeing people from incurable diseases. The Madan Madhavi, a manuscript preserved in the archives of Maharaja of Gidhaur, provides information related to the political and cultural history of Gidhaur Raj. It includes a description of Babadham as well. This whole area of Deoghar was under the rule of the Kings of Gidhaur who were much attached with this temple. Raja Bir Vikram Singh founded this princely state in 1266. In 1757 after the Battle of Plassey the officers of the East India Company paid their attention to this temple.
An English man, Keating was sent to look at the administration of the temple. Mr. Keating, the first English collector of Birbhum, took interest in the administration of the temple. In 1788, under Mr. Keating's order Mr. Hesilrigg, his assistant, who was probably the first English man to visit the holy city, set out to supervise personally the collection of the pilgrim offerings and dues. Later, when Mr. Keating himself visited Babadham, he was convinced and forced to abandon his policy of direct interference. He handed over the full control of the temple to the hands of the high priest.
The Temple
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Temple & Pooja Timings
On a normal day, the worshipping of Baidyanath Jyotirlinga begins at 4 AM. The temple doors open at this time. During 4:00am to 5:30 am, the Head priest worships with Shodashopachar. Locals also call it Sarkari Pooja. Then the devotees begin their worship of the Shivalinga. The most interesting tradition is that priests of the temple pour kuchcha Jal upon the lingam first, and later on the pilgrims pour water and offer flowers and Bilva leaf, upon the lingam.
The Puja rituals continue till 3.30 PM. After this the temple doors are closed. In the evening at 6 PM the doors are opened again for devotees/ pilgrims and the process of worshipping begins again. At this time Shringar Puja takes place. The temple closes at 9:00 pm on the normal day, but during Holy Shravan month, the timings are extended. Unlike Somnath or Rameswaram or Srisailam, here the devotees can get satisfaction by offering Abhishek themselves on Jyotirlinga.
Festivals
Shravan Mela (between July and August) is the most famous festival celebrated in this Temple. More than a million pilgrims visit this shrine every year. About 7 to 8 million devotees visit the place from various parts of India and offer holy water of Ganges to the deity collected from Sultangunj, which is almost 105 Kms from Deoghar. The water is also brought by the Kannvarias, who carry the water in Kavadi, and walk all the distance, on bare foot. You will find large crowds walking all the way carrying water.
An unbroken line of people in saffron-dyed clothes stretches over the full 108 km for the month. The pilgrims are called Dak Bam and they do not stop even once in their journey from Sultangunj, located at Bhagalpur district to Vaidyanath. Pilgrims to the temple later visit the Basukinath temple. There are other three important fairs, namely, Shri Panchami mela held in January, Shivaratri Mela held in March and the Bhadra Purnima mela held in September. Shivaratri mela is attended by about one lakh visitors in the course of a fortnight
Religious Significance
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Prayers
Devotees of Lord Shiva believe that by sincere worship of Baidyanath Jyotirlinga a person is relieved of all worries and miseries in life. It is also said that by worshipping in the shrine a person attains Moksha and all types of happiness. As a tradition, devotees carry ‘Kanwars' on their shoulders and complete their travel here.
Administration
The pandas who perform different Poojas for devotees are very important persons. They have a union called Dharmarakshini Sabha founded by revolutionary Pandit Shivram Jha. The devotee can also buy Peda as prasad from Babadham. Peda is a local specialty of Deoghar. Babadham has a regular and well-maintained office to accept offerings and donations.
Contact
Baidyanath Temple,
Deoghar – 814 112,
Jharkhand, India
Phone: +91 6432 232 680 / 232 720 / 232 295
Fax: +91 6432 232 967
Mobile: +91 75440 00853 / 94311 87753
Mobile: +91 94303 22655 / 89865 63071
Email: dcdgr@rediffmail.com / contact@babadham.org
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Deoghar Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Baidyanath Dham Railway Station, 8 Kms from Jasidih Junction Railway Station, 33 Kms from Madhupur, 37 Kms from Simultala, 64 Kms from Dumka, 69 Kms from Giridih, 251 Kms from Ranchi, 253 Kms from Patna, 253 Kms from Ranchi Airport, 259 Kms from Patna Airport and 326 Kms from Kolkata. Deoghar is well connected to the major towns and cities of Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand. Nearest Railway Station is Baidyanath Dham Railway Station at Deoghar, a terminal station at the branch line originating from Jasidih Jn. Nearest major Railway Station is Jasidih Junction Railway Station. It is situated on Howrah / Sealdah to Patna Railway route. Nearest Airports are located at Ranchi and Patna.
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