DEOGHAR

Deoghar is situated in the Santhal Parganas, the north-eastern side of Bihar (now Jharkhand), this township is very close to the Bengal border.Deoghar is an ancient town famous for its group of 22 temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. 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.

Pilgrims and tourists come from all over India to Deoghar. Health seekers also crowd Deoghar.

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.

There is an interesting account of the pilgrimage to Baidyanath in the Khulasati-t-twarikh written between 1695 and 1699 A.D.

In the 18th century, the Maharaja of Gidhaur faced political turmoil. He had to fight against the Nababs of Birbhum. Under the Muhammadan government, the chief priest appears to have paid a fixed rent to the Nabab of Birbhum, and the administration of the temple seems to have been left entirely in the hands of the priest. For a few years the Nabab ruled over Babadham. Subsequently, the Maharaja of Gidhaur defeated the Nabab and Babadham was brought back under his rule till the East India Company came in.

Famous traveller Megasthneze visited India in 302 B.C. In the court of Chandragupta of Patliputra (Patna) has described regarding this area in his works. Hiun Siang a famous
chinese traveller who visited in the court of Harsa 645 A.D., also has described the rocky
area of Rajmahal and human culture adjacent area of Deoghar.

Archeological sources :
According to archeological history in the time of regional area lords of Rampal third "son of Vigrahpal " of Pala dynasty who constructed parts of the temple.

According to archeological survey Bengal circle for 1902-1903, in later Gupta period Aditya Sen Gupta had errected many temples by several inscription (SILALEKH) in which Deoghar and Sahkund have been described.

According to one prominent historian Dr. Radha Krishna Choudhary, great Buddhistacharya of Vikramsila Acharya, Abnoy Shankar Gupta had resided at Deoghar.

In Bateshwar lekh (written material) near ancient Vikramsila University (Bhagalpur district) says about Baidyanath TirthShetra (Pilgrim spot. During this period in the vicinity of Baidyanath temple, Buddhist dominance was prevalent.

During fabulous regime of Pala dynasty enriched history of Deoghar was described in (BIHAR District Gazeteer 1938 Edition).


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.

SHIVAGANGA LAKE



Near the temple, is the beautiful lake called Sivaganga.

THE CHANDRAKOOPA WELL
Located near the main entrance, this well is said to have been built and consecrated with water from several 'tirthams' by Ravana.

NANDAN PAHAR

TAPOVAN
A military camp of ancient ruler Pala dynasty. Presently a tourist centre.
Parks : Jalan Park, Mitra Park

BASUKINATH TEMPLE (42 kms):
Basukinath Dham is on Dumka-Deoghar Road.There is an attractive Shiva Temple here. It is believed that a pilgrimage to Deoghar is complete only after offering holy water to Lord Shiva at Basukinath.

HARILA JORIA (8 kms)
It is konwn as 'Haritika van' where from worshipping matters were collected. There is one temple of Lord Shiva which cannot be over looked from historical point of view. It is said that genesis of this place is related with RAVAN.

SATSANGA ASHRAM


A very holy place for devotees of Shri Shri Anukul Chandra Thakur.

NAVLAKHA TEMPLE
2 kms from Deoghar, there are temples of Radha And Krishna here.This Balanand Brahamchari Ashram is a fine architectural monument for religious purposes.

TRIKUT


24 kms west of Deoghar, it is famous for its Hill Temples. It is believed that many sages have attained salvation on the top of these hills, known as TrikutIt is the source of the River Mayurakshi, which is a prime attraction here.natures open beauty and esoteric religious practices are practised.

MASANJOR
96 kms from Deoghar, there is a picturesqe dam on the river Mayurakh. The scenic beauty of the place attracts the tourists.

NAVDURGA
South of Baidyanath worshippers of SHAKTI visit there.

CLOCK TOWER
Stn Rd has merged with Clock Tower, equivalent to Esplanade of Calcutta. Around it has come the market place or the old city

RAM KRISHNA MISSION
Ram Kriahna Mission Vidyapeth, established in 1922, is a great centre of education and sadhana.

HINDI VIDYAPEETH
In 1928 'Hindi Vidyapeth' , was established, a famous centre of Hindi.

Numerous Buddhist ruins are also located nearby.


HOW TO GET THERE

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
Unmetered Taxis, Scooters, Cycle Ricksaws 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