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Srabani Mela - Deoghar Baidyanath Dham Temple Shravan Mela in Jharkhand

The Hindi month of Shravan is of great importance at the Lord Shiva Temple at Deogarh in Jharkhand, popularly known as the Baba Baidyanath Dham. Shravani Mela 2024 begins on July 22 and ends on August 19. Thousands of Shiva devotees from India, Nepal and from other countries around the world undertake a pilgrimage from Sultanganj to Baba Baidyanath Temple. The month-long fair is also known as Srabani Mela.

Why is Shravani Mela Important at Baba Baidyanath Dham Temple?

The River Ganga flows northwards at Sultanganj. It is the only place where the Ganga flows towards North. Pilgrims collect Gangajal, holy water from Ganga, at Sultanganj and carry it to the Deoghar Shiva Temple

The Gangajal is used to bathe the Shivling here which is one among the Jyotirlingas – twelve temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Shravan Mela in Jharkhand

Water from North flowing Ganga River

There is a widespread belief among Hindus in North India that offering Ganga water from Sultanganj to Lord Shiva at Deoghar is highly auspicious and it will help in removing ignorance and help in fulfilling their desires. The pilgrims that carry Ganga water are referred as Kanwarias.

Apart from Indians, numerous devotees from Nepal and neighboring countries take part in the annual pilgrimage.

Monday is Special During the Mela

Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva and therefore heavy rush is witnessed on this day at the shrine. The Mondays in Shravan month is highly auspicious and people perform the Shravan Somvar Vrat.

Significance of the Shivling at Deoghar Baidyanath Dham

Deoghar Baidyanath Dham is also referred as Ravaneshwar Mahadev Temple as it is believed that the ‘Shivling’ worshipped in the temple belonged to Ravana of Lanka. The Shivling was cunningly stolen and placed at Deoghar by Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva pleased with Ravana’s intense austerities appeared before him. Ravana asked for Shiva’s symbol Shivling to be placed in Lanka. Shiva agreed to give the Linga on the condition that he will not place it anywhere until he reaches Lanka.

Devas came to know about this and feared that with the power of Lord Shiva on his side Ravana will become invincible. They prayed to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu asked Varuna to enter Ravana and create intense pressure of urination. Varuna did so and Ravana could no longer tolerate the urge to urinate and he looked around for a person to who can hold the Shivling.

Lord Vishnu appeared there as a shepherd and Ravana immediately gave the shivling to him. The cunning Lord Vishnu placed the Shivling on the earth and the place was Deoghar Baidyanath Dham. Ravana tried to remove the Shivling but failed and left it there; but came daily to worship it on his Pushpak Viman.