Baidyanath Dham also known as Baba Baidyanath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, situated in the district headquarter of Deoghar in the state of Jharkhand. Shiv Purana describes it as Haritaki or Ketaki wood. As per an ancient myth, Sati’s heart actually did fall here. Which took place as God Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to dissect Sati’s lifeless body. Shiva and Shakti are conjugally immanent in this Joytirlinga in this manner.
In the Matsyapuran this place described as Arogya Baidyanathitee, the sacred location where Shakti resides and works with Shiva to heal individuals of fatal illnesses. The Kings of Gidhaur, who had a strong attachment to this shrine, ruled over the whole of Deoghar. The temple built with simple stones which faces east and includes a 72-foot-tall pyramidal tower. Three tightly wrapped gold containers and a Panchshula (a group of five triangular-shaped knives) stand above it. Chandrakanta Mani, an eight-petalled lotus, is a further blossom.
History of Baidyanath Dham
It is believed that this holy place was discovered midway on the route taken by evil king Ravana to bring Baidyanath Joytirlinga to Lanka. As signified, Ravana obtained this Shivalinga as a blessing through severe meditation, and had he placed this Joytirlinga in Lanka, no one would have been able to kill him. Lord Shiva presented the Joytirlinga to Ravana on the condition that if he ever put the Jyotirlinga on the ground, he would never be able to hoist it again. While on his journey, gods obtained water with the intention of creating obstacles, and Lord Barun entered inside Ravana’s stomach. As a result, Ravana experienced the urge to urinate and was forced to land in order to escape the call of nature.
A neighbouring herd lad who was actually Lord Vishnu was given the Joytirlinga by the guy after he touched down in his Puspak Vimana. He was shocked to discover that the herd kid had vanished and the Joytirlinga had been placed on the ground after being released from its own natural call as Ravana approached to seize the Joytirlinga. After numerous attempts, Ravana was unable to hoist the Joytirlinga due to circumstances beyond his control. He then pushed the linga with his thumb while being quite angry and left.
Popular tourist places in Deoghar Jharkhand
- Baidyanath Dham
- Basukinath
- Nandan Pahar
- Naulakha Mandir
- Maa Shitala Temple
- Satsang Ashram
- Dolmanch
- Kundeshwari
- Baiju Temple
- Tapovan Caves and Hills
How to reach Baidyanath Temple
- Bhagalpur Airport the nearest airport which is about 64 km away from the temple.
- Deoghar Railway Station just about 7 km away from the temple.
- Bus and Taxi services are availabe from nearby cities like Patna, Ranchi, Kolkata, and Varanasi.