Bol Bam! Bol Bam! This is the only chant which you will hear during this time of the year in the Eastern parts of India. This is because Shravan, the holy month of Hindus has begun and it is the time for the people to take a pilgrimage to the Baidyanath Dham which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The Baidyanath jyotirlinga is one of the most popular pilgrimages which Hindus take during the holy month of Shravan. The Baidyanath Dham is located in Jharkhand and is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year.
The story behind the Jyotirlinga of Baidyanath Dham is also quite interesting. It is said that the Baidyanath jyotirlinga was accidentally established at the spot by the great demon king Ravana. The Baidyanath Dham is also popularly known as Baba Dham which the people visit every year by walking all the way carrying pots on their shoulders which are known as ‘Kaanvar’.
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So, today we will tell you about the story of Baidyanath Shiva jyotirlinga which forms the centre of the celebrations of the holy month of Shravan. Take a look.
Ravana: The Great Devotee Of Shiva
It is a well known fact that Ravana was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He performed many sacrifices and penance to please the Lord. So, Lord Shiva told him to ask for a boon. Ravana, trying to be clever, said that he wants to carry Lord Shiva to Lanka where He would stay forever. Then Lord Shiva gave Ravana a jyotirlinga to carry it to Lanka. But the only condition was that Ravana could not place the linga on ground while on his way. If he did that, the linga would establish on the place forever. So, Ravana started his journey with the Shivalinga.
Vishnu’s Trick
The deities found it extremely fearful that if the Jyotirlinga would be established in Lanka then Ravana would become unbeatable. So, Lord Vishnu thought of a trick. Varuna, the God of water entered Ravana’s stomach. Ravana felt an unrgent need to relieve himself. So, he started serching for someone to hand over the linga. Lord Vishnu disguised as a Brahmana and appeared before him. Ravana handed him over the linga and asked him to hold it till he comes back. The Brahman said that he would hold it only till sunset and after that if Ravana did not return he would put down the linga.
Ravana’s Anger
As Ravana went to relieve himself, Varuna kept on playing his tricks and Ravana could not finish urinating till the sunset. The Brahman then put the linga on the groeund and the linga got fixed to the spot. When Ravana came he was shocked to see the linga on ground. He tried to pull it out but the lings would not budge. In anger, Ravana struck the head of the linga with his fist and made a dent. The jyotirlinga at Baidyanath Dham still has the dent on the top.
The Hridayapeeth
It is believed that Sati’s heart also fell at this place while Lord Shiva carried Her on His shoulders. However there is no shrine to commemorate the peeth though people call it hridayapeeth.
Worshipping Baidyanath
Every people in huge numbers visit this shrine and offer water to the jyotirlinga. The people are supposed to carry water in their Kaanvar from the nearest lake which is known as the Shivaganga and offer it to the linga. The devotees should observe strict vegetarianism during the whole month of Shravan.
Thus, Baidyanath Dham is the abode of the Lord where He grants all the wishes of the ones who worship Him with true heart.