Baidyanath Temple, Deoghar – The Temple

Baidyanath Temple, Deoghar – The Temple

Baidyanath Temple Complex consists of the main temple of Baidyanath, where the Jyotirlinga is installed, and 21 other temples. The temple is situated in a spacious courtyard bounded by stone walls. The temple of Shiva, Baidyanath faces the east, and is 72 feet tall, and it is lotus shaped. According to religious belief this temple has been built by Vishwakarma, the architect of gods.

There are three parts of this temple; i.e., the main temple, the middle part of the main temple, and the entrance part of the main temple. The top contains three ascending shaped gold vessels that are compactly set, which were donated by Maharaja of Gidhaur, Raja Puran Singh. Besides these pitcher shaped vessels, there is a 'Panch Sula' (Five knives in Trident shape), which is rare. In the inner top there is an eight petaled lotus jewel (Chandrakanta Mani). The main Lingam (Lord Shiva) is also very rare.

To the east of the northern verandah of the temple there is a large vat into which flows the water and milk offered as ablution. The lingam is of a cylindrical form about 5 inches in diameter and projects about 4 inches from the center of a large slab of basalt. It is not possible to ascertain how much of the lingam is buried. The top is broken and has uneven surface. There are different porches in the temple. One porch leads to the cell where the lingam is fixed.

The second porch is in front with a row of pillars spanned by blocks of basalt and on the right side there is a sandstone image of a bull. There are bells fixed in the ceiling and pilgrims are supposed to pull the bell-ropes to announce their approach to the divinity. The courtyard has eleven other temples, mainly of Parvathi, Kali, Jagat Janani, Kal Bhairav and Lakshminarayan.

Parvathi temple is tied up with the main temple, with huge red sacred threads which is unique and worthy of reverence, showing the unity of Shiva and Shakti. Near the temple is the Siva Ganga lake. The Chandrakoopa well, near the main entrance is said to have been built and consecrated with water from several thirthams by Ravana.