Deoghar Tapovan Mandir in Jharkhand

Tapovan Mandir is nestled in a quiet and serene spot near Deoghar in Jharkhand. The temple is around 10 km from Deoghar town. Deoghar Tapovan is located at an altitude of 500 feet atop a hill. This has been a place of meditation for thousands of years. There are numerous legends associated with the place.

The popular belief is that demon King Ravana performed austerities here to take Lord Shiva to Lanka. Devas then took the help of Hanuman to disturb the austerities of Ravana. A huge stone broken by Hanuman into two to disturb the meditation of Ravana can be found in the temple complex.

Legend has it that Bhagavan Sri Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman stayed on the hill during their exile period in the Ramayan. Sage Valmiki is also believed to have stayed and meditated here.

During 19^th century, a saint named Balananda Brahmachari performed intense tapas for more than 50 years here. He worshiped Lord Shiva. He is believed to have had darshan of Shiva here.

People believe that one of the cave has footprints of Shiva. There is another cave believed to have been used by Ravana for meditation. It is said that there is a rare murti of Goddess Lakshmi in it.

There are numerous caves on the hill and one cave has a Shivling which is very old.

Apart from the caves there are small concrete structures with photos and sculptures of Saint Valmiki and Swami Balanand.

A major attraction atop the hill is the Manas Temple – it is believed that prayers offered here will be fulfilled soon.

A huge pond downhill known as Sivakunda is believed to have been constructed by Ravana. A fair is held here during Makar Sankranti.