Deoghar literally means the home of the lord. Deoghar is Jharkhand’s most important Hindu pilgrimage center. The temple complex has 22 temples located inside it. The tallest temple is 72 feet in height which is known as the Baidyanath Temple – one of the 12 revered jyotirlingas in the country. It holds great sanctity among Hindus because it is believed to be the only kamana lingam – a lingam that has the power to fulfil all dreams. At the Deoghar complex, also visit the temples associated with tantric practices and Shakti worship like Ma Sandhya, Mansa, Ma Bagla and Ma Kamakhya.
The Mythology Story of Baidyanath Temple
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 any where 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. In deep remorse, he used to come to this place every day and worship the lingam by offering water from the Ganges.
According to historials, the temple was built in the year 1596.