Temple Timings: 7.00 AM till 7.00 PM.
Basukinath is the Second most famous Temple in and around Deoghar. It is located in Dumka district of Jharkhand, on the Deoghar – Dumka state highway and is around 25 km north-west of Dumka.
It is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus. Basukinath Temple is the main attraction here and it serves as a place of pilgrimage for Hindus. It is said that Basukinath temple is the court of Baba Bhole Nath. In Basukinath Dham, Shiva and Parvati temple are just in-front of each other.
In the evening when gates of both the temples are opened then the devotees are suggested to move away from in-front of the gates as there is a belief that Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati meet each other at this time. The temple is situated near the village of Jarmundi and presents an example of local art. This ancient temple houses many other small temple located in its campus area.
Basukinath Temple is frequently thronged by visitors and devotees throughout the year for its popular Shiva Temple. In the month of Shravan people of several country also come here to worship Lord Shiva. It is believed that the pilgrimage to Babadham is incomplete without paying homage at Basukinath. The history of this popularly known Shiva Temples is connected with Ghatwals of Nonihat.
Vivah Panchami or Ram Janki Vivah Utsav is another festival which takes place at the end of the year. It was inaugurated by Baba Basukinath and is still being continued. ‘Palki Utsav’ is also a part of the celebration.
Legends
Many legendary stories are evolved centering the temple and these tales are believed to be the history behind the establishment of this century-old temple of Lord Shiva. It is believed that during the Sagar Manthan, Lord Vasuki, the serpent God worshipped the Shiva Lingam. For ages it is also believed that the Nagas (snakes of different species) used to bathe the Shiva Lingam with milk and hence the shrine came to be known as Baba Basukinath Dham. The temple is believed to be established in 1596.
According to legends, the Basukinath temple is believed to be the court of Lord Shiva. The Lord listens to his devotees who visit the Dham with respect and dedication.
Kanwariya Rituals
The Kanwariya ritual that is observed in Shravan has a close connection with this legend. The pilgrims carry earthen pots filled with holy water from Ganges and offer this ‘Jal’ at Ajgaibinath Mahadev in Deoghar and at Baba Dham. From there they have to march to the Baba Basukinath Dham and offer ‘abhishek’ on the Shiva Linga. During this ritual, it is believed that the devotees cases are heard by Lord Maheshwar and He judges and offer peace to His devotees.
Architecture
The Basukinath Temple is one of the oldest temples in Jharkhand. Alongside the main temple, many small temples are made throughout the campus and dedicated to different hindu deities. The temples are built in white marble and have been designed following the quintessential lotus shaped dome of the temples in Jharkhand area. There is a pond located nearby the temple called the Van Ganga. Pilgrims bathe in this holy pond before taking darshan of Lord Shiva.
How To Reach
By Road
Baba Basukinath Dham is 45 kms from Deoghar and 23 kms from district headquarter Dumka on Deoghar – Dumka road, NH114A. Plenty of private vehicles and government buses are available to go there.
By Train
Jasidih Junction Railway Station and Jamtara Railway Station are the nearest rail heads. It is situated at Jarmundi Block and lies in Dumka-Deoghar Railway Route. It is at a distant of 25 Km from Dumka and 50 Km from Jshidih Railway Station
By Air
Nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport, Kolkata and Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi which are approx 300 Km and 350 Km respectively from here.