Deoghar is the main city of the Deoghar District in the Santhal Parganas division of the state of Jharkhand, India. It is an important Hindu pilgrimage centre with the Vaidyanath Temple being one of the twelve Shiva Jyothirlingams in India and one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. It is situated 150 km from regions largest city Bhagalpur. Deoghar was earlier part of dumka district. It is the 5th largest city of Jharkhand. Deoghar is a Hindi word and the literal meaning of 'Deoghar' is abode ('ghar') of the Gods and Goddesses ('dev'). Deoghar is also known as "Baidyanath Dham", "Baba Dham", "B. Deoghar". The origin[1] of Baidyanathdham is lost in antiquity.
It has been referred to as Haritakivan or Ketakivan in Sanskrit Texts. The name Deoghar seems to be of recent origin and probably dates from the erection of the great temple of Lord Baidyanath. Although the name of the builder of the temple is not traceable, certain parts of the front portion of the temple are said to have been built by Puran Mal, an ancestor of the Maharaja of Giddhour, in 1596. Deoghar is a place of worship for Lord shiva, in the month of sawan many devotee takes ganga jal sultanganj to deoghar for worship and they get the desire wish of their life.
Deoghar Religious Significance
Deoghar, also known as Baidyanath Dham, is an important Hindu pilgrimage site. It is one of the twelve jyotirlingam and also one of the 51 shaktipeeths, and is famous for the mela of Shrawan, 4th month according to the Hindu calendar system. It is, along with Shrisailam, one of the few places in India where the jyotirlinga and the shaktipeeth are together, lying sided beside each other. Each year between July and August (on the eve of the month of Shrawana) in Deoghar Yatra about 7 to 8 million devotees come from various part of India bringing holy water from various areas of Ganges at Sultanganj, which is almost 108 km from Deoghar, in order to offer it to Shiva. During that month, a line of people in saffron-dyed clothes stretches over the full 108 km. It is the longest Mela of the Asia.The temple of Baidyanath or Shiva is the most important of all the temples in the courtyard. The temple faces the east and is a plain stone structure with a pyramidal tower, 72 feet tall. The top contains three ascending shaped gold vessels that are compactly set, and were donated by the Maharaja of Giddhaur. Besides these pitcher shaped vessels, there is a Punchsula (five knives in a tridenta shape), which is rare. In the inner top there is an eight-petaled lotus jewel called Chandrakanta Mani.
The lingam inside is of cylindrical form, about 5 inches in diameter and projecting about 4 inches from the centre of a large slab of basalt. The top is broken, with an uneven surface, and it is not possible to tell how much of the lingam is buried within the basalt.
There are a number of different porches in the temple. One porch leads to the cell where the lingam is fixed. A second porch is in front with a row of pillars spanned by blocks of basalt. On the right side there is a sandstone image of Nandi.
There are bells fixed to the ceiling and pilgrims are supposed to pull the bell ropes to announce their approach to the divinity.
To the east of the northern verandah of the temple there is a large masonry vat into which flows the water and milk offered to the lingam. The liquid in it is essentially a mix of milk, sandal paste and floral extracts, giving a fragrant smell, and is treated as highly sacred.
Deoghar Temple
Doeghar a gorgeous city in Jharkhand located an altitude of 2,140 feet, is known for many natural wonders, man-made comforts and amazing urban amenities. You can find here several waterfalls, rock formations and hillocks along with many large industrial complexes. The climate of the city remains pleasant round the year.
Darshan Timings
On a normal day, the worshipping of Baidyanath Jyotirlingam begins at 4 AM The temple doors open at this time. The Head priest worships with Shodashopachar. Then the devotees begin their worship of the lingam. The most interesting tradition is that priests of the temple pour kuchcha Jal upon the lingam first, later on other pilgrims pour water and offer flowers and Vilva leaf upon the lingam. The Puja rituals continue till 3.30 PM After this the temple doors are closed. In the evening at 6 PM the doors are opened again for devotees/ pilgrims and the process of worshipping begins. At this time Shringar Puja takes place. Scent is spread over the lingam. Again a stream of water is poured over the lingam. Sandal paste of Malayagiri is also pasted on the head of the lingam. There is an interesting tradition that a snake like throne of flowers (Jata Mukut) is also placed on the lingam which comes regularly from the Deoghar Jail since the British time. Normally, at 9 PM the temple doors are closed. During various religious occasions, the darshan timings are extended.Offer your Puja online
If you cannot reach Babadham, no matter where you are in the world, you can still offer your prayers by asking us to perform the Puja of your choice. Select the type of Puja from the list below and submit your request online. The temple Purohits will perform the Puja in your name.
If you wish, you may even request for the Prasadam and Pushpam, which we will send you by post. You may even request for a video recording of your Puja. The recorded puja will be sent to you in a CD.
That you wish to Puja offer.
1. PUSHPANJALI 2. BABA BAIDYANATH WILVAPATRA ARPAN
3. PANCHOPACHAR 4. OFFERING OF MILK
5. PSHODASHOPACHAR 6. BABA BAIDYANATH'S SHRINGAR
7. CHAUSATH UPACHAR 8. DAINIK PUJA
