देवघर (Deoghar)

It is also called BaijnathDham or BabaDham. It has the ancient temple of Baba Baidyanath (Shiva).This ancient temple was built by Lord Viswakarma.This is the 9 th Jyotirling out of 12 in India. There is a Kamna Ling in the temple, on which holy JAL (water) is offered throughout the year especially on the every Monday of the week. In Shrawan month, lakhs of devotees come on foot from all over india to offer the holly water of river Ganga (Sultangaj about 100 km. far from BaijnathDham).

According to legend, with the blessings of Brahma Lanka King Ravana had been all-powerful and was carrying away Shiva from Kailash to install him at Lanka. As Shiva was reluctant to go to Lanka, the water god Varuna confused Ravana with tricks, as a result distracted Ravana broke his vow and brought Shiva down from his shoulder at Deoghar. It is said that the self-born god had stayed back since then.

Deoghar has a picturesque location. To the north of -the town there is a wood called Data Jungle after a fakir; to the north-west is a low wooded hill called Nandan Pahar; and to the east about 10 miles away there is a low range of hills known as Tiur or Trikutaparvata. Pilgrims and tourists come from all over India to Deoghar. Health seekers also crowd Deoghar.

There are a number of small hills to the south-east, south and south-west. There are two rivulets Yamunajor and Dharua near the town. The countryside around Deoghar has an attractive set-up with undulations, water courses and small hills.

The climate is dry and congenial and Deoghar is still considered a health resort in spite of the great congestion particularly due to the, temple of Baidyanath and the location of the criminal and civil courts and a. very large number of Government establishments.

As a matter of fact, Deoghar is a far bigger and more important town than Dumka, the district headquarters. Deoghar or Devagriha has a large number of temples within the circumference of a few miles. The temple of Baidyanath or Shiva is the most important of all the temples and attracts a large number of pilgrims all the year round.

There are three important fairs, namely, Shri Panchmi mela held in January, Shivaratri mela held in March and the Bhadra Purnima mela held in September. Shivaratri mela is attended by about one- lakh visitors in the course of afortnight. A number of lodging houses is available for pilgrims. The Pandas or the priests have also a large number of rented houses of their own where the pilgrims stay usually for one day.

 

HISTORY 

In the 8th century A.D., the last Gupta Emperor Adityasena Gupta ruled this region. The Babadham temple has been famous since then.

When Mugals began to rule India, the temple of Babadham was under their tributory rulers. The most important literary source on the history of medieval Babadham is Aine – Akbari. During Akbar’s rule Man Singh was associated with Akbar’s court. Man Singh remained attached to the Gidhaur dynasty for a long time and had contacts with a number of rulers of Bihar. Man Singh’s brother, Bhan Singh was married to daughter of Puran Mal.

Man Singh’s interest in Babadham seems to have been determined by his love for this holy shrine because he then got a tank excavated, which is today known as Mansarovar.

The Muslim invader Bhaktiyar Khilji made Deoghar his capital in 1201 after the conquest of Bihar. The present district of Deoghar was a part of three kingly estates during English period
namely Chandel Raj Pariwar Giddhor, Laxmipur Ghatwal and Rohni Ghatwal.

Read more about History of Deoghar

 

TOURIST PLACES

BAIDYANATH TEMPLE

The temple is situated in a spacious courtyard bound by stone walls. In the temple complex are twenty-two other temples. The Baijnath or Vaidyanath temple faces east. The top of the Shiva Lingam is slightly broken, keeping with the legend that it chipped away when Ravana tried to uproot it. For centuries, devotees of Lord Shiva, in the months of July – August undertake a rigorous100 km. pilgrimage on foot, from Ajgaibinath to offer holy water to Baba Baidyanath.

Read more about Baidyanath Temple

 

SHIVAGANGA LAKE

Near the temple, is the beautiful lake called Sivaganga.

 

 

To read and know more about various other tourist places in and around Deoghar, Click Here

 

HOW TO GET THERE 

The railway station at Deoghar is called Baidyanath Dham. Deogarh stands on an all-weather road connecting Calcutta with Delhi. Passenger buses run regularly from Bhagalpur, Dumka., Patna, Gaya, Monghyr, and other places in Bihar to Deogarh. Taxis and tangas are available at Deoghar. Tangas are available at Jaisidih railway station but not taxis.

Nearest Airport
Ranchi-385 kms, Patna 270 kms

Rail
The nearest Railway Station is Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar) which is a terminal station of a 7 kms branch line orignating from Jasidih Jn. on Hawrah-Patna rail line of Eastern Railway

Road
By road Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar) to Calcutta 373 kms, Giridih 112 kms, Patna 281 kms, Dumka 67 kms, Madhupur 57 kms, Shimultala 53 kms, Bhagalpur 80 kms.etc.

Bus
Long distance buses connect Baidyanath Dham with Bhagalpur, Hazaribagh, Ranchi, Tatanagar, Gaya etc.

Local Transport
Un-metered Taxis, Scooters, Cycle Rickshaws are available.

MISCELLANEOUS

Shopping Centres
Bihar State Handloom Emporium; Santhal Parganas Gramodyog Samittee;
Santhal Parganas Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan.

Yoga Institution :
Balanand Ashram Yogashala, Karnibagh.

Conducted Tours
Department of Tourism, Government of Bihar operates local
sight-seeing tour to Tapavan, Naulakha etc. during season.
Timing : From 1400 hours to 1600 hours.

IMPORTANT HOTELS
VAIDYANATH VIHAR: Tourist Bunglow phone: 222422
NATRAJ VIHAR: Tourist Bunglow phone 222422
YASHODA INTERNATIONAL: 221429
HOTEL TELAX: 224970
HOTEL JYOTI: 222037
HOTEL MAYUR: 225296

Deoghar Facts

Latitude 03 – 24.38 N

Longitude 86.28 – 87.4 E

STD Code 06432

Temperature (deg C)
Summer – Max 36.9, Min 23
Winter – Max 27.7, Min 7.4

Best Season
August to February

Area
952 square miles

Population

Division

Sub-division

Major Rivers
Mayurakshi

Major Crops
Wheat, Rice, Maize, Gram,Potato, Sugarcane,
Chilli

Major Industries
Khandsari & Gur,Handloom, Papad, Soap, Pickles.

Languages
Angika, Hindi, English

Information Centre
Tourist Information Centre Government of Bihar
Station Road
Tele : 208

References:
1. http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/bihar/deoghar