Baidhyanathdham Deoghar - One of the Jyotirlings(Shiv Ling) in India

B Deoghar

A lot and lot of memory about this sweet little city. I have a proper soft spot for Deoghar and not just because it used to be home or did my initial schooling there, but because of the peaceful town it used to be in my childhood and mainly for the famous baba temple. Have spent my childhood in this town, so as you know wherever one spends there childhood, you have so many sweet memories about that location, and after growing up, especially whenever you go visit that same city, then you cherish each and every place where you have being in your childhood, and the same is the case with me.

So, who knows about this religious city!! Let me first tell you a bit about it.

Baidyanathdham Deoghar (also known as B. Deoghar) is  based in Jharkhand, towards north eastern part of India. It used to come under 'Bihar' state before, and was a town full of decent sweet religious Hindu people, somewhere till 1990s. Then Bihar was distributed into two parts, and Deoghar fell under Jharkhand. Deoghar district is in the Santhal Parganas division of Jharkhand, India. 

Deoghar is a Hindi word, which means adobe (ghar) of Gods and Goddesses (dev) is famous for Lord Shivas temple, that's why it's also known as 'Baba Dham'. Deoghar is one of the twelve Jyotirlings place in India and also one of the 51 saktipeeths in India. It is the only place in India where the Jyotirlinga and the saktipeeth are together, that's why it's a great pilgrimage center. The famous Baidyanath temple is located here.

According to Hindu mythology, ‘Ravana’ went to Mount Kailash and prayed to Lord Shiva, who gave him a Jyotirlinga to take to his land, with the promise not to place the lingam anywhere else. In case that happened, the lingam would remain fixed on that spot forever. The gods, who were unhappy at the prospect of the divine lingam being established in the enemy kingdom, which would render them powerless against their adversary, worked a trick on Ravana. He mistakenly handed over the lingam to a brahmin, who grounded it at Deoghar. ‘Ravana’ did his best to uproot it but beyond breaking the tip he was unsuccessful. Historically the temple is dated to 1596. The main temple is built on a single rock. 

Deoghar has a picturesque location. A airport is proposed by the government recently, so nearby Airport is coming up in Deoghar and it's Railway station is known as 'Jasidih' . The best way to visit Deoghar is via Train from any place in India. At Jasidih railway, you will get many a Jeep taking in owners on a per person fare basis, or auto rickshaw to go to Deoghar as Jasidih is about 7km from Deoghar. Within the town, to travel you can either hire a Car or take the auto rickshaw or the paddle rickshaw.

Besides the main Baidyanath temple, there are many a other tourist locations in Deoghar. The main temple is located in between the Deoghar Market (bazzar), you car/ ricshaw/ auto stops at a point 3mins away from the temple. There's a narrow lane surrounded by many small small sweet shops (to be specific 'Peda ka dukan', Peda is made of real milk ) and finally comes a huge campus with numbers of temples inside . 

Many a devotees come from various parts of India to offer holy water from the Ganges at Sultangunj city(about 108km) to Deoghar, to present it to Lord Shiva Shivling. During this time, the whole town is full and wherever you see, you will find Orange colour. You will say, 'What???'
So, yes my dear friend, mostly the devotees wear Orange color dress, so, wherever you go you will find people in Orange clothing. And this custom is going on since ages.  The whole ambience of Deoghar changes during July-August, as the faith, the enthusiasm, the willingness of people to offer holy water on the Shivlinga, makes the place so Divine.

Ideally, you should stay atleast for 2-3 days in Deoghar to explore it. There are many a places to visit in deoghar . The main tourist time is between July and August during rainy season( that's the Shravan month). 

Must try food items when you are in Deoghar are: Peda, Kachori Sabzi, Alu Chop, Awantika ka rasgulla and cham cham sweets, Bael ka murabba, Tikki chat and Golgappe.

I am really very blessed to be from this holy city.
If you are a devotee of Lord Shiva, then B. Deoghar should be in your ''List of places to visit".