Introduction Of Vidyanath Jyotirlinga 

The purpose of this write-up is to highlight the cosmic significance of Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga which is also called Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is situated in Deoghar, Jharkhand, an eastern State of India. ‘Deo’ means Gods and Goddesses and ‘Ghar’ means abode. Thus, Deoghar means the abode of Gods and Goddesses. 

At Deoghar, during the Shravani Mela which takes place for almost a month in the Shravan month of the Hindu calendar(July-August), is celebrated with gaiety and religious fervour. 

Devout devotees of Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Deogarh who bring holy water without placing it on the ground mostly walk barefoot traveling a distance of around 109 kms. They are called Kanwarias.

Cosmic Significance of Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga or the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga:

As per the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga story, the Baidyanath Dham or Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Jharkhand temple derives its name from its special powers of curing ailments and bestowing sound health and prosperity to its devotees. The legend has it that Lord Shiva appeared at the offering of the 9th head by Ravana and healed his injuries, and hence, called Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Deogarh.

Deoghar Vaidyanath Mandir or Baidyanath Mandir- A Shakti Peeth:

Deoghar Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Jharkhand Dham is a Shakti Peeth also. It is the abode of Goddess Shakti or Parvati who stays together with Lord Shiva. Baba Vaidyanath Dham or the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is considered to be auspicious for solemnizing Hindu marriages of couples. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga or Vaidyanath Mandir finds mention in Shiva Purana. As per Shiva Purana, the divine unity of Shiva and Shakti makes Baidyanath Jyotirlinga auspicious for marriages as per Hindu rituals.

Self-Manifested Form of Lord Shiva at Baba Baidyanath Dham:

At Baidyanath Mandir or the Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple or Baba Baidyanath Dham, Lord Shiva is in Self-manifested form. 

Spiritual Significance Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga:

At Baidyanath Jyotirlinga cum Shakti Peeth, devotees come to seek relief from ailments and blessings for health and prosperity. On festival days, especially Maha Shivratri, Shravan Maas and Kartik Purnima, people assemble in large numbers and the city of Deoghar turns into a vibrant place completely soaked in religious and spiritual fervour. Baba Baidyanath Dham is a religious place emitting eternal radiance.

Kanwar Pooja Vaidyanath Yatra from Sultanganj to Baba Baidyanath Temple:

During Kanwar, Pooja Vaidyanath Kanwars offer Ganga Jal brought from Sultanganj in Bhagalpur Bihar, at Deoghar Jyotirlinga. Kanwars walk mostly barefoot, covering a distance of around 109 km.

During the Kanwar Yatra, Kanwars observe strict self-imposed restrictions such as – remaining Vegetarian, observing Celibacy, neither taking alcohol nor smoking and avoiding the use of oils and soaps, shoes and leather items.

Kanwars don’t place Kanwars on the ground until such time they perform Jalabhishek at Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple.

Path of Kanwar Yatra for visiting Vaidyanath Mandir:

Sultanganj-Asarganj-Rampur-Chandan Nagar-Suiya-Katoria-Inaravaran-Goryari-Bhootbangla-Baba Baidyanath Temple.

When he was about to offer his 10th head, Lord Shiva appeared and pleased by his devotion, asked him to ask for a boon. 

Ravana wanted to take Jyotirlinga to Lanka with him and therefore, he asked Lord Shiva to permit him to take the Shiv Jyotirlinga to Lanka. Lord Shiva granted him permission stipulating a condition that in case he places the Jyotirlinga anywhere in between, then it will get established there permanently. Ravana agreed to the condition laid by Lord Shiva.

Celestial Gods became worried at the departure of Lord Shiva’s Jyotirlinga from Mount Kailash. They requested Vishnu, the sustainer of the World, to thwart the design of Ravana. Vishnu asked Varuna, the God of water to enter Ravana’s belly through Aachmann, a common ritual of sipping holy water from the palm. 

Owing to sipping water, during his journey back to Lanka with the Jyotirlinga Ravana wanted to relieve himself when he reached Deoghar in Jharkhand.

Ravana was in a predicament as to how to attend to nature’s call while holding the pious Jyotirlinga. There appeared Lord Vishnu in the form of Baiju Gadariya, a cow shepherd. 

Ravana thought it appropriate to ask Baiju Gadariya to hold the Jyotirlinga in his hand till the time he came back. 

Ravana took a considerably long time. Baiju Gadariya became angry for holding the Jyotirlinga for so long placed the Jyotirlinga on the ground and left the scene. 

As the stipulated condition could not be met, Lord Shiva was established permanently at Deoghar itself. 

Upon returning, Ravana looked around and could not find the Baiju Gadariya, instead, he saw the Jyotirlinga firmly established at that spot. Ravana tried to lift the Jyotirlinga with all his might but failed in his attempts.

Since then, devotees have been incessantly venerating and worshipping Jyotirlinga at Deoghar in Jharkhand. 

Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Nearest Railway Station:

Baidyanath Jyotirlinga’s Nearest Railway Station is Jasidih Railway Station. It is at a distance of around 7 km from Baidyanath Jyotirlinga or Vaidyanath Temple Jyotirlinga. Poorva Express runs between New Delhi Railway Station(NDLS) and Jasidih Junction (JSME).

It leaves Jasidih Junction at 12:15 hours and reaches New Delhi Railway Station at 06:00 hours the next day. The train journey from Jasidih to New Delhi or the vice-versa is about 17 hours and 50 minutes.

The fastest train to go to Jasidih is Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (Via Patna) which takes around 16 hours and 21 minutes to reach Jasidih Railway station from New Delhi.

New Delhi to Jasidih Junction for visiting Baidyanath Jyotirlinga:

• The train distance between New Delhi to Jasidih is approximately 1220 km. 

Howrah to Jasidih via Patna distance for visiting Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga of Baba Baidyanath Dham:

• The distance from Howrah to Jasidih, via Patna is around 311 km. 

Varanasi to Baidyanath Jyotirlinga distance or Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple Distance:

• Varanasi to Baidyanath Jyotirlinga distance is approximately 455 km. The train journey from Varanasi to Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple takes around 8 h 20m.

Baidyanath Jyotirlinga’s nearest airport or the nearest airport to Baidyanath Jyotirlinga:

Baidyanath Jyotirlinga’s nearest Airport or the nearest Airport to Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is Deoghar Airport. It is a domestic Airport. The Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple is about 12 km from the Deoghar Airport.

Ranchi, the capital city of the State of Jharkhand is very well connected to all other places by flight. From Ranchi airport, the Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is about 250 km.

Baidyanath Dham Darshan Timings:

Baidyanath Dham Darshan timings are 4:00AM to 5:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The Vaidyanath temple door or patta remains closed for around 2 hrs 30 minutes at noon. In the evening, it opens again at 6:00 PM  and closes at 9:00 pm.

Parli Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple Timings:

Timing: 5 AM to 3.30 PM and 6 PM to 9 PM

Conclusion Of Vidyanath Jyotirlinga

Baidyanath Dham or Baba Dham, Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is one of the Dwadash or 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva in India. During the rainy season in the month of Shravan, a steady stream of devotees perform Jalabhishek at the sacred Baidyanath Jyotirlinga, at Deoghar, Jharkhand. 

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FAQs Of Vidyanath Jyotirlinga

Q.1. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is in Maharashtra or Jharkhand?

Ans.1. Vaidyanath or Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is in Deoghar, Jharkhand. Parli Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga or Vaidyanath Temple Maharashtra or Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra is in Beed District. 

Q.2. How to reach Baidyanath Jyotirlinga?

Ans. Devotees visiting Deoghar mostly opt to travel by train to Jasidih Railway Station from where the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is at a distance of approximately 7 km.

Q.3. Where is Baidyanath Jyotirlinga’s location?

Ans.3. Deoghar, Jharkhand.

Q.4. What is the significance of Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga?

Ans.4. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is significant for its special healing powers. It is a Shakti Peeth as well. People visit the sacred and holy shrine to seek a cure for their ailments. Lord Shiva bestows good health, prosperity and power to His devotees.

Q.5. Where is Baidyanath Jyotirlinga located?

Ans. 5. Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is at a distance of approximately 455 km from Varanasi. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is in Deoghar, Jharkhand.