A VISIT TO DEOGHAR JHARKHAND

We planned our next visit to Baidyanath Dham, Deoghar, Jharkhand. Baidyanath Dham is one of the 12 Jyotirlings. This was our twelfth and the last Jyotirling. The nearest railway station is Jaisidih which is 7 km away.

This is the most disputed Jyotirling as there are three places in India whose natives claim that their temple houses this Jyotirling. The first one is at Deoghar, Bihar that has a huge complex with twenty two temples of different deities among which Shiva is one. Parli-Vaijanath near Latur, Mahashtra, is the second one that was constructed by Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar in typical Maratha style architecture and this explains its fort like appearance.

The third one made in Nagara style is 1000 year old temple in Baijnath town situated in Dhauladhar range of Western Himlaya in Himachal Pradesh.

We started our journey on 9.10.2015 by New Delhi – Howrah via Patna Rajdhani Express. Train started at 4.55 pm and reached Jaisidih next day at 8.30 am. One of the friends at JNV, Rikhia was there to receive us. We stayed at the guest house in JNV, Rikhia.

After refreshing ourselves, we went to Baidyanath Dham for Darshan of the Jyotirling. There was huge rush inside the temple complex, but we managed to get in with the help of our friends. Near the temple, there was a kund called shivganga. Some people take bath here before entering the temple. As it was getting hot we came back and took some rest. Later in the day, we went for evening stroll. The surroundings of our guest house were very beautiful and pleasing for the eyes.

It was ‘godhuli’ time when ‘charwahas’ were coming back with their cattle. We clicked many beautiful shots.

Next day, we went to Naulakha Temple, Tapovan and Trikut Parvat. Before that, early in the morning we went for a walk and watched the awesome sun-rise. Different types of birds were playing and enjoying. The weather at that time was very pleasant. The sun was very calm and orange in colour. Very few people were there at that time. Birds in flocks were moving from one place to another.

Naulakha Temple - This is an old temple located 1.5 km away from Baba Baidyanath Temple. It is a nice visiting spot. Inside it there are idols of Radha – Krishna. It takes its name after the amount spent on its construction at that time. A Kund named Narmada Kund is located just opposite the temple.

Tapovan is situated 10 kms from Deoghar. There is a temple of Shiva, called Taponath Mahadeva, which is the center of attraction for pilgrims. A number of caves are there in this hill. We hired a guide who took us on the top of the small hill. Tapovan has dark cave where Ravana performed siddhi to satisfy Shiva so that he could take the lingam to Lanka.

Hanuman had come here and broken the Tapasya of Ravana. Here Mahavir Hanuman opened the rocks and showed his statues. One can enjoy the beauty of the place from the top of the hill.

TRIKUT PARVAT is situated 13 km away from Deoghar on the way to Dumka. There are three main peaks on the hill which is why it is called Trikutachal. Locals have named these peaks as Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The height of this hill is 2,470 feet (750 m). There is also a temple of Shiva at this place known as Trikutachal Mahadeva Temple. It is the mouth of river Mayurakshi. Here we also find an altar of the goddess of Trishuli. It is an attractive place with a cool stream flowing. This is now connected with Jharkhand's first ropeway.

We took a road directly from Tapovan to Trikut Parvat. This was an awesome journey. On way, we saw the solar plant recently inaugurated by the Prime Minister and which would now be the main source of electricity in this area.

We reached Trikut Parvat at 12:30 PM. It was an awesome view. Ropeway took 8 minutes to reach the hill top. Though we have earlier enjoyed the ride of ropeway at many places but it was the steepest of all. At places, the speed of the ropeway was so slow we felt as if it was not moving at all. Here also we hired a guide.

At one place, two of the stones are placed so closely that one has to scrawl to cross it. There was a diya like composition which is said to be created by Sita during their vanvas time. The sceneries below were awesome. On the top of the hill, there was a rock named Shaligram. It was very difficult to reach that place but we managed with the help of our guide. There was a low gap between the Shaligram rock and the other main rock. People were crawling through this gap with the belief that all their sins would be cleared by doing so. One pujari was there to perform Pooja. There were a large number of monkeys at Trikut Parvat and one has to be careful while going through. After visiting all the places we got down through the ropeway which was equally exciting.