Bol Bam

Deoghar is the holy city beside the Mayurakshi River, in the east Indian state of Jharkhand where Sri 1008 Baidyanath Jyotirlinga resides. So we were fortunate to complete ten jyotirlingas and our plan was just a plan for a sometime, till we got to know of the direct flights from Bengaluru to this place. It is a Jyotirlinga and a shaktipeetha in one place and the one-of the few places which have both.  A must visit place for its great intensity and could be chaotic.

The Matsya Purana called the place Arogya Baidyanathitee. This whole area of Deoghar was under the rule of the Kings of Gidhaur who were attached to this temple. In 1757 after the Battle of Plassey, the East India Company tried to take this temple under administration. After a few visits, they were forced to abandon the policy of direct interference and handed over the full control of the temple to the hands of the priests or Panda.  Since then, this temple complex is controlled by the pandas and is there no online booking here and. The VIP Darshan costs 300 per head and you must coordinate with the panda for those tickets. First agree on the amount if you are doing the Darshan with the help of a panda. So a minimum of 300 per head for that and remember you still have to give some money to the panda.  Whichever place you’re staying will have a Panda contact who can help you. Due to the development of the Deoghar airport, development has been rapid in this administration town of Jharkand.

If you believe the temple and access has to be free, then stand in the line and go through the process, unless you plan to live there and fix the entire system, no point  complaining. The purpose of your visit is to get the Sparsha Darshan, so please focus on that. Have lot of loose change 20s, 50s or 100 to give dakshina. Even though you pay for VIP Darshan, there would be a line for 15 mins and once inside the panda would guide you through the garbagrha. Do not carry too many things or wear a lot of jewellery. This message is constantly repeated over the PA system.

The Havan Kund temple of Baba dham opens only once a year, there is a special tradition associated with the Navratri festival. During the Shravan month of the Hindu calendar, this temple is packed beyond its capacity.   The sacred Gath Bandhan ritual at Baidyanath Dham where red threads are tied between the domes of the Baba Baidyanath and Maa Parvati temples. The folks who tie this thread are professionals, and don’t worry about their climbing skills. This is believed to bring about bringing marital harmony, family peace, and good health, performed by priests and local tribesmen.

Every evening between 645 and 730 pm, there is a grand Arathi which you can experience by being there. There are 22 temples including the main temple, in the complex where you can pay your respects.  Ideally reach Deoghar the previous afternoon, one can visit Basukinath temple during the day and maha arathi in the evening followed by darshan of the jyotirlinga, next morning. Bol Bam is the chant used by the local visiting this temple. Bol Bam!