OVERVIEW

Baidyanath Jyotirlinga in Deoghar, Jharkhand

Mythological significance of Baidyanath Jyotirlinga in Deoghar :

This Jyotirlinga is located in Deoghar, Jharkhand, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. All wishes of those who come to Bholenath are fulfilled, according to legend. It is also known as the Kamna Linga, and that is why it is as old as the Shivling. Those who come to Bholenath are said to get their wishes fulfilled. It is also known as the Kamna Linga, and that is why it is as old as the Shivling.

Hindu legend of Ravan:

The evil king of Lanka, Ravan, offered sincere prayer to Lord Shiva at this exact shrine site to receive a boon he later misused to cause harm to humankind.
At his meditative prayer, Ravan offered his heads one by one as a tribute to Lord Shiva. Impressed by his intense devotion, Lord Shiva comes to Ravan and heals his wounds. His role as a healer or a doctor lends the eponymous name "Baidyanath " to this famous Hindu Shrine.

Traveling options

Taking a train from the nearest railway station, the Jasidih junction in Deoghar, in India, you can reach Baidyanath temple only after covering 6 to 7 km only.
If you opt for the road, particularly the bus, it would take less time away from your hand in reaching the destination.

Famous Festivals celebrated in the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga :

The Kanwar Yatra is a yearly homage paid by the devotees of Lord Shiva to this Hindu site. Millions of devotees cover hundreds of miles at a stretch to retrieve holy water from the River Ganges to offer to Lord Shiva.
Its grand Shravan Mela is equally famous in this region. It is named Shravan mela after the Hindu season of “Shravan. "The Shravan Mela takes place during the summer months of July and August, the most heavily visited time of year among devotees and travelers. A significant position is held within this shrine by priests known as Pandas.

An Ode to Baba Baijnath Dham:

There is nothing quite like the relationship between Lord Shiva's devotee Ravana and Baba Baijnath. Dashanan Ravana was supposed to have been doing penance on the Himalayas to please Lord Shankar. Shivlings came one by one as he continued cutting his heads. Bholenath appeared to Ravana just as he was about to cut his tenth head when Ravana had offered nine heads and was about to cut his 10th.

When Ravana heard about this, he asked Ravana to bring only Kamna Linga to Lanka. The golden Lanka was not the only place where Ravana would rule. He imprisoned and kept in Lanka many gods, Yakshas and Gandharvas. Because of this, Ravana desired that Lord Shiva stays in Lanka rather than at Kailash. In granting this wish, Mahadev also placed conditions. He says Shivlings should sit wherever there is space, after which I will stay there again without getting up. Ravana accepted the situation.

Lord Shiva's departure from Kailash here caused all the deities to become worried. Everyone turned to Lord Vishnu to solve this problem. The Leela was then composed by Shri Hari. Ravana's stomach was entered through Achaman by Varun Dev, as Lord Vishnu instructed. Consequently, Ravana's good intentions for Sri Lanka resulted in a small doubt near Deoghar as he approached Shivling.

Ravana went to a cowherd so that he could inquire about the Shivling with a small doubt. The mythology says that Lord Vishnu once incarnated as Baiju, a cowherd. Because of this, this pilgrimage place has become known as Ravanaeshwar Dham and Baijnath Dham. The story goes that Ravana caused a pond to spring up in Deoghar due to his doubts, which he endured for many hours. Rather than placing the Shivling on the ground, Baiju installed the Shivling on the earth.

The Shivling was still not lifted by Ravana despite his efforts after thousands of years. Then after sticking his thumb on the Shivling's sore wrist, he comprehended this Leela and left. After that, Gods like Brahma, Vishnu, and others worshipped that Shivling. The deities praised Shiva as soon as Shiva appeared at the same spot and erected Shivling there. After this, Mahadev resides in Deoghar in the form of 'Kamna Linga.’

conclusion

Many famous ancient rulers of India, such as the Kings of Gidhaur and Raja Bir Vikram Singh, are attached to this temple by their devotion. In this shrine which can genuinely compare to paradise itself, the pilgrims seek solace from the hustle and bustle of their quotidian lives.

The devotees entranced in their devotion for the Almighty Lord Shiva, offer their prayers, and grandly worship him.

It is a refuge for everyone looking for peace and purity in the lap of nature in God's very abode. Every disquieted individual comes back from their holy vacation only to feel calm, peaceful, and happy.

To visit such a shrine of mythological and architectural significance is a must for anyone traveling in Maharashtra. Its serenity pervades the senses and infuses a sense of calm and bliss. Taking your family to this shrine will be a memorable trip for sure.

To hear about its history is nothing compared to witnessing its grand stature. Our young generation must grow up with the takes of our tradition and hence taking your children on this trip will prove to be highly beneficial. When one visits the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga in person, only then does one palpably feel its power and significance in India. It is truly a sight to see.