Baidyanath Jyotirlinga (Deoghar)

Ninth Jyotirlinga — also revered as Vaidyanath, the divine physician form of Shiva.

दर्शन महत्व: The Shravani Mela kanwar yatra brings millions walking from Sultanganj; profound collective devotion.

यात्रा का सर्वश्रेष्ठ समय: Jul–Aug (Shravan), Oct–Mar

History

Baidyanath (Vaidyanath) at Deoghar in Jharkhand is the ninth Jyotirlinga, also worshipped as the divine physician. The temple complex is the focus of the Shravani Mela, when millions of kanwariyas walk from Sultanganj carrying Ganga jal. Several sites historically claimed this Jyotirlinga; Deoghar is the living centre of that devotion today.

Legends

• Ravana is said to have carried a Shiva lingam from Kailash; after a trick by the gods it became rooted at Deoghar. Shiva then acted as vaidya (physician) to heal Ravana — hence Baidyanath.
• Offering Ganga water from Sultanganj in Shravan is believed to fulfil vows and heal affliction.