Baidyanath Temple (IAST: Baidyãnath), also known as Baba Baidyanath Dham or the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga, is a sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Deoghar, in the Santhal Parganas division of the Indian state of Jharkhand. The temple complex comprises the central shrine of Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga along with 21 additional temples.
It holds immense significance for followers of Shaivism, as the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is revered as one of the twelve holy Jyotirlingas of India. This guide delves into the rich legends, unique architectural features, historical journey, and the profound spiritual significance of this revered shrine — a major pilgrimage destination, especially famous for its annual Shravani Mela.
The Legend of Ravana and the Kamna Linga
The most prominent legend associated with Baidyanath Temple involves the demon king Ravana.
- Ravana’s Penance to Shiva in Himalayas: According to the legends, Ravana was performing penance in the Himalayan region to appease Shiva. He offered nine of his heads as an offering to Shiva. As he was to sacrifice his tenth head, Shiva appeared before him and expressed satisfaction with the offering.
- Ravana’s Boon: Taking Kamna Linga to Lanka: Shiva then asked what boon he desired. Ravana asked to take the “Kamna Linga” to the island of Lanka and expressed his desire to take Shiva from Kailash to Lanka.
- Shiva’s Condition: Shiva agreed to Ravana’s request but with a condition. He said that if the lingam was placed en route, it would become the permanent abode of the deity and could never be moved.
- Celestial Gods’ Worry and Vishnu’s Intervention: Celestial gods became worried upon hearing that Shiva had departed from his abode on Mount Kailash. They sought a resolution from Vishnu. Vishnu asked Varuna, the deity associated with water, to enter Ravana’s stomach through achamana, a ritual that involves sipping water from the palm of one’s hand. As a consequence of performing achaman, Ravana, on his way to Lanka with the lingam, felt the need to urinate in the vicinity of Deoghar.
- Vishnu’s Disguise as Shepherd Baiju: The story states that Vishnu took the form of a shepherd named Baiju Gadariya of Gadaria caste. While Ravana went to perform Surya Namaskaram, he gave the lingam to this shepherd. Due to the presence of Varun Dev, Ravana took a very long time. Baiju got angry, having to wait for Ravana for a very long time. He then positioned the lingam on the ground and left the place.
- Ravana’s Inability to Move Lingam and Damage: Upon returning, Ravana attempted to pick up the lingam, but was unsuccessful in his endeavor. Ravana became upset after realizing this was the doing of Lord Vishnu and proceeded to press his thumb onto the lingam before departing, which partially damaged the Shiv Lingam. The top of this lingam is broken off.
- Construction of Baidyanath Temple: The Shiva lingam was then worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, and other deities, and they constructed the Baidyanath Temple. Since then, Mahadev has taken up residence in Deoghar as the embodiment of the Kamna Linga. The name Baidyanath is derived from Shiva restoring the nine heads of Ravana, glorifying him as Vaidyanath – the supreme doctor.
Baidyanath as a Jyotirlinga and Shakti Peeth
- Jyotirlinga Manifestation: According to Shiv Mahapuran, once Brahma and Vishnu had an argument in terms of supremacy of creation. To test them, Shiva pierced the three worlds as a huge endless pillar of light, the Jyotirlinga. Vishnu and Brahma split their ways downwards and upwards respectively to find the end of the light in either direction. Brahma lied that he found out the end, while Vishnu conceded his defeat. Shiva appeared as the second pillar of light and cursed Brahma that he would have no place in ceremonies while Vishnu would be worshipped until the end of eternity. The jyotirlinga is the supreme partless reality, out of which Shiva partly appears. The jyotirlinga shrines, thus, are places where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light. Originally there were believed to be 64 jyotirlingas while 12 of them are considered to be very auspicious and holy. Each of the twelve jyotirlinga sites takes the name of the presiding deity — each considered a different manifestation of Shiva. At all these sites, the primary image is lingam representing the beginningless and endless Stambha pillar, symbolizing the infinite nature of Shiva.
- The Twelve Jyotirlingas: Baidyanath in Jharkhand is explicitly listed as one of the twelve jyotirlingas. The complete list includes Somnath at Veraval in Gujarat, Mallikarjuna at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, Mahakaleswar at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh, Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, Bhimashankar in Maharashtra, Viswanath at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Triambakeshwar in Maharashtra, Nageshvara at Dwarka in Gujarat, Rameshwar at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, and Grishneshwar at Maharashtra.
- Baidyanath as a Shakti Peeth: The Baidyanath Temple is also revered as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. According to the Puranas, it is believed that Sati Devi’s heart fell here, making it the Hriday Peeth, or the Heart Shrine. The goddess is worshipped as Jayadurga or Amba, a manifestation of Goddess Parvati. The Kalabhairava associated with this Shakti Peeth is called Baidyanath. It is the only Jyotirlinga which houses both a Jyotirlingam and a Shaktipeeth. The Maa Parvati temple is tied to the Shiva temple with red sacred threads, symbolizing the unity of Shiva and Parvati.
Temple Complex and Architecture
- Complex Size: The temple complex comprises the central shrine of Baba Baidyanath along with 21 additional temples. These include shrines dedicated to Goddess Parvati, Jagatjanani, Ganesha, Brahma, Sandhya, Kalbhairav, Hanuman, Manasha (the serpent goddess), Saraswati, Surya, Ma Bagala (one of the shorshi, i.e., 16 forms of Kali), Ram-Laxman-Janaki, Ganga-Jahnavi, Ananda-Bhairav, Gourishankar, Narmadeshwar, Shiva, Tara, Kali, Annapurna, Laxminarayana, Nilkantha and Nandi.
- Architectural Style: The temple is built in the Nagara style, which is a Hindu style of temple architecture popular in Northern, Central, Western, and Eastern India. The shikhara (spire) of the temple is pyramid-shaped. The 72-feet high beautiful temple shikhara gives it the appearance of white-petalled lotus.
- Creator: The main temple was built by Raja Puran Mal of Gidhaur in 1516. Raja Puran Singh, King of Gidhaur, donated three gold vessels placed in an ascending order atop the shikhara. Besides these vessels, there is a lotus jewel, having eight petals, which is known as Chandrakanta Mani.
- Elevation: The temple is situated at an elevation of 22 m (72 ft).
Historical Journey and Administration
The Baidyanath Temple has a documented history spanning centuries, from royal patronage to British administration.
- Ancient References: The Matsya Purana called the place Arogya Baidyanathitee. Deoghar has been famous since the rule of the last Gupta emperor, Adityasena Gupta, in the 8th century AD.
- Under Gidhaur Kings: This whole area of Deoghar was under the rule of the Kings of Gidhaur, who were much attached to this temple. Raja Bir Vikram Singh founded this princely state in 1266.
- East India Company’s Interest (1757): In 1757, after the Battle of Plassey, the officers of the East India Company paid their attention to this temple. An Englishman, Keating, was sent to look at the administration of the temple. Mr. Keating, the first English collector of Birbhum, took interest in the administration of the temple.
- Mr. Hesilrigg’s Supervision (1788): In 1788, under Mr. Keating’s order, Mr. Hesilrigg, his assistant, who was probably the first Englishman to visit the holy city, set out to supervise personally the collection of the pilgrim offerings and dues.
- Keating Abandoning Direct Interference: Later, when Mr. Keating himself visited Babadham, he was convinced and forced to abandon his policy of direct interference. He handed over the full control of the temple to the hands of the high priest.
- Governing Body: The Baidyanath Temple is currently managed by the Baba Baidyanath Temple Management Board.
Pilgrimage and Festivals
Baidyanath Temple is a bustling hub of devotional activities, especially during major festivals.
- Shravani Mela: Millions of pilgrims visit the shrine every year in Shraavana (a mid-summer month of the Hindu calendar), which usually falls between July and August. This month-long festival is one of the largest religious gatherings in India, attracting millions of devotees, primarily the Kanwariyas. They undertake a pilgrimage to offer holy water from the Ganges collected from Ajgaibinath temple in Sultanganj (Bihar), which is 108 km away. The pilgrimage is also known as the Kanwar Yatra and involves devotees walking barefoot, carrying water in pots balanced on a decorated bamboo structure. The journey from Sultanganj to Babadham is a 109 km long human chain of saffron-clad pilgrims. It is estimated that within this period of one month around 50 to 55 lakhs pilgrims visit Babadham.
- Havan Kund Temple: The Havan Kund temple of Baba Dham opens only once a year, and there is a special tradition associated with the Navratri festival.
- Pilgrims Visiting Basukinath Temple: Pilgrims to the Baidyanath temple later visit the Basukinath temple, which is 43 km from Deoghar, considered a complementary pilgrimage.
Planning Your Visit
- Nearest Airport: Deoghar Airport (Baba Baidyanath Airport) is the closest airport to the temple, located approximately 8 km away. It offers good connectivity to major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Ranchi, and Patna. Alternatively, Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi, about 250 km from Deoghar, is another option for air travel.
- Nearest Railway Station: Deoghar has three main railway stations: Deoghar Junction (3 km), Baidyanathdham Junction (2 km), and Jasidih Junction (7 km). Most people prefer Jasidih Junction as it has good connectivity to major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, and Varanasi.
- Road Access: Deoghar is well-connected by road to major cities in Jharkhand and neighboring states. Regular bus services and taxis are available from nearby cities like Ranchi, Patna, Kolkata, and Bhagalpur. The temple is situated near the GT Road which connects Kolkata to Delhi.
Baidyanath Jyotirlinga in Deoghar stands as a powerful testament to the enduring faith and rich mythology of Hinduism. As one of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas and a significant Shakti Peeth, it uniquely embodies both the cosmic power of Shiva and the divine energy of the Mother Goddess.
The captivating legend of Ravana’s devotion and subsequent divine intervention, coupled with the temple’s unique architectural blend and the vibrant annual Shravani Mela, draws millions of devotees seeking blessings and spiritual liberation. This sacred complex of the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga, steeped in history and profound spiritual narratives,continues to be a beacon for seekers, reminding them of Lord Shiva’s unwavering grace and the timeless dance of divine will — a living example of ancient temple architecture recognized in many studies under UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
1: What is the main legend associated with Baidyanath Temple?
The main legend associated with Baidyanath Temple involves the demon king Ravana. He sought to take the “Kamna Linga” (wish-fulfilling Shiva Lingam) from Mount Kailash to Lanka, but was tricked by the gods into placing it on the ground at Deoghar, where it became permanently fixed, making it a sacred Jyotirlinga.
2: Why is the Lingam at Baidyanath partially damaged?
The Lingam at Baidyanath is believed to be partially damaged because, according to legend, after being tricked into placing the Lingam on the ground, Ravana became furious when he couldn’t lift it again. In his frustration, he pressed his thumb onto the Lingam before departing, causing the partial damage.
Q3: What is the significance of the Shravani Mela?
The Shravani Mela is one of the most important annual festivals at Baidyanath Temple, celebrated during the Hindu month of Shraavana (July-August). Millions of devotees, known as ‘Kanwariyas’, undertake a long pilgrimage, carrying sacred Ganges water from Sultanganj to offer to Lord Shiva at Baidyanath, believing it grants immense blessings. This month-long festival is one of the longest religious fairs in the world.
4: How many temples are there in the Baidyanath complex?
The Baidyanath Temple complex is quite extensive, comprising the central shrine of Baba Baidyanath along with 21 additional temples. These include shrines dedicated to various deities like Goddess Parvati, Maa Kali, Maa Annapurna, and others.
5: Is Baidyanath Temple considered a Shakti Peeth?
Yes, Baidyanath Temple is considered one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. According to the Puranas, it is believed that the heart of Devi Sati fell here, making it the Hriday Peeth, or the Heart Shrine. The goddess is worshipped as Jayadurga or Amba. It is unique in that it houses a Shiva Linga along with a Shakti Peetha. It is unique in that it houses a Shiva Linga along with a Shakti Peetha, symbolizing the inseparable union of divine energies described in detailed archaeological research on Indian temples, as documented by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
For further exploration of India’s spiritual heritage, delve into other [Jyotirlingas]
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