Baidyanath Temple at Deoghar

By George On

Baidyanath Temple at Deoghar is one among the twelve Shiva jyotirlinga (places of worship to Lord Shiva) situated in India. Baidyanath Temple or Vaidyanath Temple, is among the 51 Shakti Peethas (places of worship to the goddess Shakti or Sati) in India. Deoghar Baidyanath Temple is also called Kamnalingam Temple.

Baidyanath TempleBaidyanath Temple

Deoghar Town is situated in the Deoghar District in Jharkhand state, India. ‘Deoghar’ means ‘abode’ of God(esses). Deoghar is also known by the names, Baidyanath Dham and Baba Dham. Baidnath Temple consists of the main temple and 21 other temples in the complex.

According to Hinduism, Ravana, the demon king, worshipped Lord Shiva at the current temple site to get the boons that Ravana later used to wreak havoc in the world. Ravana offered his ten heads, one after the other, to Lord Shiva as a sacrifice. Lord Shiva was pleased with Ravana’s sacrifice and cured the injured Ravana. As Lord Shiva acted as a doctor, this temple got the name Vaidhya (doctor).

‘Shivganga‘, which is believed to be made by Ravana (the main antagonist, meaning one who opposes, in the great Hindu epic, “Ramayana”) by striking the earth with his fist on his way to Lanka (Sri Lanka), carrying the ‘Shaia lingam’ in his hand. This is around a quarter kilometer from the Vaidyanath Temple and is a tourist place near the temple. Shivganga is also called “Deoghar talab”.

“Ravana Jori” or “Harila Jori” is a river originating at a distance of eight kilometers from the Baidyanath temple at Deoghar. This is the place where ‘Ravana’ is believed to have handed over the ‘Shia Lingam’ to Lord Vishu (Mahavishnu), who was disguised as a Brahmin. This is one of the nearby tourist places.

Nandan Pahar is a nearby small hill on the eastern side of Deoghar used as a hangout center for tourists with restaurants, guest houses, and a mirror house. Basukinath Shiva Temple, at a distance of 45 kilometers from Deoghar, is another major pilgrimage center for the Deoghar Vaidyanath Temple pilgrims. It is believed that one must visit the Basukinath Shiva Temple, without which the pilgrimage is considered incomplete.

Satsanga Ashram is a nearby Ashram for the devotees of ‘ Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra’, established in the middle of the 19th century. Tapovana, is a nearby hill at around ten kilometers distance from Deoghar, with many caves and a Shiva temple called Taponath Mahadeva. ‘Shiva lingam’ is found in one of the caves here in Tapovana. It is believed that Sage Valmiki, who is the author of the great Hindu epic Ramanaya, attained ‘Siddi’ (success through penance) here.

Naulakha Temple is another nearby famous temple that attracts a lot of tourists. Naulakha Mandir alias Naulakha Temple is a lookalike of the famous temple of Ramakrishna in Belur, Karnataka state, India.

How Do I Go to Vaidyanath Temple or Baidyanath Temple at Deoghar?

Deoghar city is at a distance of around 270 to 275 kilometers from Ranchi, the state capital. From Ranchi, it takes around 5 hours via NH 23 and NH 114 A, which covers a distance of around 275 kilometers. If you are traveling via Ranchi – Purulia Road and NH114A, it takes almost the same time and distance.

If you are traveling by road from Kolkotta, you have to take the route via Jamtara. Deoghar is at a distance of around 370 kilometers from Kolkotta. Patna is around 280 kilometers from Baidyanath or Babadham.

Deoghar city, the 5th largest city in Jharkhand state, is located at a seven-kilometer distance from the Jasidih Junction Railway Station (station code ‘JSME’). There are several daily trains linking Deoghar City with the Jasidih Junction. Deoghar City has two railway stations, Baidyanathdham and Deoghar. There are several trains from Deoghar City to other Indian cities like Ranchi, Varanasi, Asansol, etc.