Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple: Info, History & Timing

Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple - Knowing The Baba Baidyanath Dham

Vaidyanath Jyotirlingam Temple, well known as Baba Baidyanath Dham, is a revered Hindu shrine in the Deoghar district of Jharkhand, India. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped here as Vaidyanath, the healer of all ailments. This temple is regarded as one of the essential Jyotirlinga amongst the twelve Jyotirlinga. It is believed that this temple's deity can cure any physical or mental ailment, hence the name 'Vaidyanath'. In addition, it is said that Lord Rama installed the lingam at the place of worship temple after he had defeated the demon king Ravana.

The history behind the Baidyanath Mandir

In order to appease Lord Shiva, Dashanan Ravana cut off his heads one by one and offered them to the Shivling while performing penance in the Himalayas. When Ravana had offered nine heads and was about to chop his tenth, Bholenath came to him, pleased, and instructed him to request a boon. Ravana then requested a blessing to transport the 'Kamna Linga' to Lanka. Ravana possessed the authority to govern over all three worlds, in addition to the golden Lanka.

He also had the ability to jail countless gods, Yakshas, and Gandharvas and kept them there. As a result, when Ravana voiced his desire for Lord Shiva to depart from Kailash and remain in Lanka, Mahadev granted his wish but added a condition: even after numerous trials, he wouldn’t move with Ravana if he kept the Shivling on the ground. All the gods became concerned and rushed to Lord Vishnu to request help in retrieving the Shivlinga.

It is believed that Lord Vishnu came in the form of Baiju or Baijam to protect the Shivlinga. Ravana handed over the Shivling to Baijam. The Shivling was so huge that Baijam could not hold it up for quite a long time. So, he kept Shivling on the ground. Later, when Ravana came back, even after thousands of attempts, Ravana was unable to lift the Shivling. After realising this Leela of God, he also became enraged and left after placing his cut off thumb on the Shivling.

At night when Baijam went to see the Shivlinga, he witnessed Ravana attacking Shivling, and he became terrified. After observing this behaviour, Mahadev showed up. Baiju touched his feet and bowed in respect. Baiju claimed that he had no desire to follow Ravana. He just wanted to save Shivlinga from the attack. He was addressed by Lord Shiva as his highest devotee, and he was given the assurance that this temple would be remembered as Baijnath Dham. A few years later, the temple's priest changed the name to Baba Baidyanath Temple.

Deoghar Architecture

This temple has several smaller shrines dedicated to other Hindu gods and goddesses. The main shrine is a huge and magnificent structure, with the lingam at the centre of the sanctum sanctorum. The temple is decorated with intricate art forms of Hindu Mythology which makes it easy for devotees to extract knowledge. The temple is highly defined, with verses written on the walls to make it easy for visitors to recite the verses in front of the shrine. It comprises three entrances: central, middle and temple entrance. It has a height of 72 feet and resembles an auspicious lotus flower. There were three ascending gold vessels that the Maharaja of Gidhaur gave and were kept in a separate room. In addition, they have the Panchsula set of five knives in a Trident shape or Trishul and the Chandrakanta Mani- an eight-petaled lotus jewel. The Murti of Mata Parvati is tied to a central temple with a sacred red thread.

This temple is quite complex and unique because it gives a positive atmosphere to the devotees. People meditate in a separate hall to connect with their higher self. There is a separate hall to worship deities. Mantras book is also kept for worshippers to read. So that one can connect to the supreme god with no disturbance. This place is well-constructed by keeping every bit of shastras in mind. This temple has an electrifying glory which takes back the devotee to the past and attaches an essence of deoghar history to keep them connected to one’s religious pattern of belief.

Poorvottare prajwalika nidhaane
sada vasantam girija sametam
sura asura radhita paada padmam
shri vaidyanaatham tamaham namaami

This Verse is written to express appreciation towards Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple, and this Verse gives us information about Vaidyanath Dham as Chitabhoomi or a funeral place where the immortal bodies are turned into ashes. Some tantric practices are also performed here. It is believed that Lord Shiva lives in the cremated remains because he manifested to be here as Jyotirlinga. At the time of death, Lord Shiva is worshipped so that it can help the immortal body to attain Moksha.

Saurashtre Somanatham cha Shrishaile Mallikarjunam|
Ujjayinya Mahakalam Omkaramamaleshwaram ||
Prajwal Ayam Vaidyanathan Cha Daikanyama Bheema Shankaram |
Setu Bandhe tu Raamesham, Naagesham Daarukavane||
Varanasi Ntu Vishesham Tryambakam Gautami tate|
Himalaye tu Kedaaram, Ghrishnesham cha shivaalaye||
Etani Jyotirlingani, Saayam Praatah Pathennarah|
Sapta Janma Kritam pApam, Smaranena Vinashyati||

It is believed that Sati's father insulted Lord Shiva. Due to this, Shiva got angry, held Sati on his shoulders, and performed Tandava. Then, Lord Vishnu dissected Sati's lifeless body through his Sudarshan Chakra, leading to the establishment of 51 Shakti Peethas. Sati's heart fell in the Baidyanath temple, and Sati is worshipped as Durga. Shiva himself demonstrated as Jyotirlinga. In this temple, there are Kaal Bhairav, Durga and Shiva shrines.

Tourist Attraction in the Babadham Temple

Every year, thousands of devotees from all over India visit the Vaidyanath Jyotirlingam Temple to offer prayers and seek blessings from Lord Shiva. During the Hindu month of Shravan (July-August), the temple attracts many pilgrims to perform the Shravan Mela, a sacred festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. Apart from its religious significance, the Vaidyanath Jyotirlingam Temple is also a significant tourist attraction in Jharkhand. Lush green trees surround the temple complex, and the temple's serene atmosphere provides a peaceful escape from bustling city life. The Vaidynath Jyotirlinga brings one near the temple and its innate vibes.

Conclusion

The Vaidyanath Jyotirlingam Temple is a revered shrine devoted to Lord Shiva and is considered one of the twelve Jyotirlingams. Vaidyanath temple is also known as Haradpeetha because the heart of Sati fell here. The temple is a significant religious and tourist destination in Jharkhand, attracting thousands of devotees and visitors annually. This temple has a history which attracts devotees and makes them more spiritual. They can only attain spirituality when the person looks back at the account and loves its essence. This temple is known to fix any physical or mental disease by worshipping deities, and This is regarded as a critical Shakti Peethas and Jyotirlinga of Shiva. Therefore, they extensively worshipped Shiva in Vaidhnath Mahadev Jyotirling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Baijam Dham is located in deoghar. It is built in remembrance of Lord Shiva's biggest devotee Baijam.

Mahadev was impressed by the devotion of Baiju and named him as his highest devotee, due to which the temple was named as Babadham or Baijnath Dham

The Deoghar temple in Jharkhand is famous for its architecture and history, which makes devotees pay a visit to the temple.

The environment is quite serene and helps the person attain their meditative state. This place blesses the person with an aura which makes devotees feel comfortable and make them visit the temple.

The timings of the Jharkhand jyotirlinga temple are 4 am to 2:30 pm to 6 pm to 10 pm

This is one of the biggest festivals of Hindus; it is when people go barefoot to take holy water Ganga from sultan ganj, and people receive a lot of blessings from Shiv ji.