Baijanath Bihar

The Temple of Lord Baijnath is situated in Bihar. On the rail route from Patna to Kolkata is a place called Keeul. About 100 kms south-east of this place is Devghar - where this ancient Temple is situated.
The associated story is as follows. With the burning desire for power, might and strength Ravana started worshipping Lord Shiva with mind and soul. During summers he would Partake Panchagni and during winters he would stay in water. During the rains he would stay in the open fields and practice penance.

Even after long penance when Lord Shiva did not appear he made a Parthivlinga and installed it. He dug a pit near it and lighted fire just beside it. Accordingly to the scriptures he performed worship of Shiva in front of the fire. He started cutting his heads one by one and offered it as oblation to the Lord. Because of Shiva grace the moment he would cut his head and offer it, it would come back to its original place. In this way he offered his head 9 times. When he was about to offer his 10th head Lord Shiva immediately appeared and Said - O Ravana! I am pleased with your devotion you ask me for a boon you desire.

Ravana asked for invincibility and tremendous might and power. Lord Shiva blessed him accordingly. Ravana requested Lord Shiva to accompany him to Lanka. At that time Shiva handed over to him a linga and warned Ravana that if you keep this Linga anywhere on earth it shall fix itself to the ground and shall remain there for eternity. He thanked Lord Shiva and holding the linga carefully started of to the Lanka. Because of Lord Shiva's Maya Ravana felt like answering nature's call, which was uncontrollable. He gave the linga to a small boy standing by the side and told him to hold it. The small boy could not withstand the weight of the linga and he kept it on the ground. No sooner he had done so the linga affixed itself strongly to the ground for eternity. Despite all his efforts Ravana could not lift it and in despair Ravana returned home. This Shiva linga itself is the Jyotirlinga named Vaijnath.

Releasing the truth, all the gods along with Brahmaji appeared there. They took the blessing of Lord Shiva and started singing his praises.

By worshipping baijnath Jyotirlinga one can eliminate all his/her worries and miseries. It is also a giver of Moksha and all types of happiness. Devotees carry ‘Kanwars' on their shoulders and complete their travel here.

The temple of Baidyanath faces the east and is a plain stone structure with a pyramidal tower which rises from a square base to a height of 72 feet from the ground. To the east of the northern verandah of the temple there is a large vat into which flows the water and milk offered as ablution. The lingam is of a cylindrical form about 5 inches in diameter and projects about 4 inches from the centre of a large slab of basalt. It is not possible to ascertain how much of the lingam is buried. The top is broken and has uneven surface.

There are different porches in the temple. One porch leads to the cell where the lingam is fixed. The second porch is in front with a row of pillars spanned by blocks of basalt and on the right side there is a sandstone image of a bull. There are bells fixed in the ceiling and pilgrims are supposed to pull the bell-ropes to announce their approach to the divinity. The courtyard has eleven other temples