Located in Deoghar, Jharkhand, the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India and is considered an extremely sacred abode of Lord Shiva. Every year during the month of Shravan, millions of devotees visit here to have darshan of Baba Baidyanath and perform Jalabhishek (offering water). Devotees bring holy Ganga water from Sultanganj and travel approximately 100 kilometers on foot to offer water at the feet of Baba. This fair is a confluence of faith, devotion, and amazing energy.
Mythological Tale Related to the Ramayana Period
The story associated with the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is believed to date back to the Ramayana period. It is said that Ravana, the king of Lanka, performed rigorous penance on the Himalayas to please Lord Shiva. He offered his nine heads, one by one, on the Shivlinga. Just as he was about to cut off his tenth head, Lord Shiva became pleased with his penance and appeared, asking him to ask for a boon.
Ravana's Wish and Shiva's Blessing
Ravana asked Shiva for the boon that he wanted to take him to Lanka and install him there. Shiva agreed, but with a condition that if he placed the Shivlinga anywhere on the way, it would be established there and could not be moved again. Ravana accepted the condition and started his journey with the Shivlinga.
Lord Vishnu's Divine Play
Vishnu ordered Varuna Dev to create the need for Ravana to relieve himself midway. It happened accordingly. On the way, when Ravana felt the urge to urinate, he saw a cowherd. Ravana handed the Shivlinga to that cowherd and told him that he would return after a while. The cowherd held the Shivlinga for a while, but then placed it on the ground and left.
The Shivlinga Got Established There
When Ravana returned, he saw that the Shivlinga was placed on the ground. He tried a lot to lift the Shivlinga, but it did not budge. Ravana became angry and tried to suppress the Shivlinga, which slightly distorted its shape. After this, the Shivlinga got permanently established there.
The Gods Worshipped
After Ravana's failure, Brahma, Vishnu, and other gods came there and worshipped that Shivlinga. That place was established as Baidyanath Dham. The glory of this place is such that even today, Lord Shiva certainly listens to prayers made with a sincere heart.
The Shivlinga That Relieves Diseases
There is also a special story behind this Jyotirlinga being called Baidyanath. It is said that when Ravana had offered his nine heads, Shiva, in the form of a Vaidya (physician), reattached his severed heads and relieved him of his pain. For this reason, this place came to be known as Baidyanath. It is believed that worshiping here removes diseases, defects, and physical ailments.
Famous as the Wish-Fulfilling Linga
The Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is also known as the Kamana Linga (Wish-Fulfilling Linga). It is believed that whoever comes here with a sincere heart and asks Baba for something, their wish is definitely fulfilled. This is the reason why devotees come here not only from Jharkhand or Bihar, but also from all over the country and abroad.
How Deoghar Became a Religious Capital
Deoghar means the abode of the gods. This name itself reflects the spiritual glory of this place. The Baba Baidyanath temple located here is not just a Jyotirlinga, but a center of faith. The architecture of the temple is very grand and attractive. There are 22 other temples in the temple complex, which make Deoghar a complete pilgrimage site.
A Sea of People Gathers in Sawan
During the month of Sawan, the streets and roads of Deoghar are filled with devotees. The lines of Kanwariyas, who bring water from Sultanganj and travel on foot, are several kilometers long. The entire area resonates with the chants of Baba's glories. Devotees cover the distance of 100 kilometers barefoot and fulfill their wishes by offering water.
