The Baidyanath Jyotirling temple also known as Baba Baidyanath Dham is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Deoghar, in the Santhal Parganas division of the Indian state of Jharkhand. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas Temples and is regarded as the most revered location where Shiva resides.

The temple complex includes the central shrine of Baba Baidyanath, which houses the revered Dham, as well as 21 other temples. Devghar is also known as Baidyanath Dham or Baba Dham due to its status as a holy pilgrimage. The main temple features a pyramidal tower with three compactly placed gold vessels. These were given to the Maharaja of Giddhaur, Raja Puran Singh. There are also five trident-shaped knives (Punchsula) and a lotus jewel with eight petals called Chandrakanta Mani.

The story behind Baidyanath Jyotirling

According to legend, Ravana was performing penance in the Himalayan region to appease Lord Shiva. He presented Lord Shiva with nine of his heads as an offering. Lord Shiva appeared before him as he was about to sacrifice his tenth head and expressed satisfaction with the offering. Shiva then asked what boon he desired. Ravana requested that the “Kamna Linga” be transported to the island of Lanka and expressed his desire to transport Lord Shiva from Kailash to Lanka.

Lord Shiva granted Ravana’s request but on one condition. He claimed that if the lingam was placed en route, it would become the deity’s permanent abode and could never be moved.

When the celestial gods learned that Lord Shiva had left his abode on Mount Kailash, they became concerned. They went to Lord Vishnu for help. Then Lord Vishnu asked Varuna, the water deity, to enter Ravana’s stomach via achamana, a ritual that involves sipping water from one’s palm. Ravana left for Lanka with the lingam and felt the need to urinate near Deoghar as a result of performing Achaman.

Then Lord Vishnu took the form of a cowherd named Baiju. Ravana gave this lingam to the cowherd while he went to urinate. Baiju set the lingam down on the ground. When Ravana returned, he attempted to displace the lingam but was unsuccessful. He became agitated and pressed his thumb against the lingam before leaving. Brahma, Vishnu, and other deities then worshipped the Shiva lingam. Since then, Mahadev has lived in Deoghar as the Kamna Linga’s embodiment.

History of Baidyanath Jyotirling

This entire area of Deoghar was ruled by the Kings of Gidhaur, who were deeply attached to this temple. In 1266, Raja Bir Vikram Singh established this princely state. Following the Battle of Plassey in 1757, officers of the East India Company focused their attention on this temple. Keating, an Englishman, was sent to investigate the temple’s administration. Mr. Keating, the first English collector of Birbhum, became involved in temple administration.

Under Mr. Keating’s orders, Mr. Hesilrigg, his assistant and possibly the first Englishman to visit the holy city, set out to personally supervise the collection of pilgrim offerings and dues in 1788. Later, when Mr. Keating himself visited Babadham, he was persuaded and forced to abandon his policy of direct intervention. He handed over complete control of the temple to the high priest.

The name Deoghar appears to be of recent origin, dating most likely from the construction of Lord Baidyanath’s massive temple. Although the builder’s name is unknown, the temple’s front half is thought to have been constructed in 1596 by Puran Mal, an ancestor of the Maharaja of Giddhour.

Architecture of Baidyanath Jyotirling

The Maa Parvati temple is linked to the main temple by huge red sacred threads that are unique and worthy of reverence, demonstrating Shiva and Shakti’s unity. According to the stories told in the Shiva Purana, the holy Baidyanath temple represents the union of souls and thus is appropriate for Hindu marriage.

Three gold vessels are compactly arranged in a pyramid-shaped tower in the main temple. These were presented by Raja Puran Singh, the Maharaja of Giddhaur. Punchsula, a set of five knives in the shape of a trident, and Chandrakanta Mani, a lotus jewel with eight petals, are also present. There is a huge Nandi, Lord Shiva’s mount, in front of the Lord.

A large pond is also located near the temple. The main Baba Baidyanath temple is the oldest, and many other temples have been built around it. The Baba Bholenath temple is linked with the Goddess Parvati temple.

Facts about Baidyanath Jyotirling

• Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is also known as Baidyanath Dham or Baba Dham locally.
• Jayadurga Shaktipeeth is located on campus, directly across from Vaidyanath’s main temple.
• Here Sati is worshipped as Jai Durga and Lord Bhairav as Vaidyanath or Baidyanath.
• Since the heart of Goddess Sati fell here, the place is also called as Haridrapeetha.
• There is a belief that the couple who binds these two tops with the silk will have a happy family life with the blessings of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati.
• Bad or negative thoughts are removed from a person’s brain. The individual gets spiritual growth. Hence, it is called Baidyanath.
• Every year in the month of Shravan (July-August), thousands of pilgrims flock to the Vaidyanath Dham to pay their respects to Baba Bholenath.
• Peda is a Deoghar speciality and a local sweet. Babadham has a regular and well-kept office where offerings and donations are accepted.
• On the Baidyanath Jyotirling, devotees are permitted to perform Abhishek, anointing the linga with water by themselves.

Famous Festivals At Baidyanath Jyotirling

• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).
• Diwali – Diwali is one of the most admired and auspicious festivals in the town.
• Mahashivratri– A grand fair is organized at the temple during the occasion of Maha Shivratri.

How to Reach Baidyanath Jyotirling

Baidyanath Jyotirling is located in Deoghar in the state of Jharkhand.

By Air: The nearby Airport is Simra (Deoghar) Airport and it is about 8 km from the Baidyanath Jyotirling temple.

By Railway: Deoghar Junction is the nearby railway station and it is about 3 km from the temple. Also, Jasidih Junction is a major halt where most trains stop which is 5 km from the temple.

By Roadways: The roads of Jharkhand are easily connected to the other parts of the country.

Also Read – Omkareshwar Jyotirling