Baidyanath (Vaidyanath) Jyotirlinga
వైద్యనాథ్
Lord Shiva as Vaidyanath (lord of physicians/healing) · Deoghar, Jharkhand
Baidyanath (Vaidyanath) Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 sacred manifestations of Lord Shiva as a self-manifest pillar of light (jyoti-linga). Located in Deoghar, Jharkhand.
Significance
Center of Shravan Mela — millions of Kanwariyas walk barefoot from the Ganga at Sultanganj (108 km) carrying holy water for Shiva. Note: there is dispute between Deoghar and Parli (Maharashtra) for this Jyotirlinga.
Mythological Origin
Ravana attempted to take the Linga to Lanka but was prevented by Vishnu. The Linga settled at Deoghar where it remains. Shiva manifested as the healer of all afflictions.
About the 12 Jyotirlingas
The 12 Jyotirlingas are the holiest Shiva pilgrimage sites in India. Per the Shiva Mahapurana, when devotees compete to claim Lord Shiva's primacy, he manifested as an infinite pillar of light (jyoti-stambha) at 12 sacred locations. Devotees visiting all 12 in a single lifetime is one of the highest pilgrimages (Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Yatra). Reciting the 12-line Jyotirlinga Stotra ("Saurashtre Somanatham...") daily is said to grant the merit of physical pilgrimage to all 12.
Baidyanath at a glance
| Form of Shiva worshipped here | Lord Shiva as Vaidyanath (lord of physicians/healing) |
|---|---|
| Telugu name of the shrine | వైద్యనాథ్ |
| Where | Deoghar, Jharkhand |
| State | Jharkhand |
| Order in the traditional list | 9 of 12 |
Baidyanath (Vaidyanath) — frequently asked questions
Why is Baidyanath (Vaidyanath) counted among the 12 Jyotirlingas?
Ravana attempted to take the Linga to Lanka but was prevented by Vishnu. The Linga settled at Deoghar where it remains. Shiva manifested as the healer of all afflictions. Baidyanath (Vaidyanath) stands ninth in the traditional order this site follows, and the form worshipped here is Lord Shiva as Vaidyanath (lord of physicians/healing).
Where is Baidyanath (Vaidyanath) and what should you know before travelling?
Deoghar, Jharkhand. The shrine is written వైద్యనాథ్ in Telugu. Darshan timings, the aarti schedule, the queue and road access all change through the year and this site does not publish them — confirm those with the temple itself before you travel.
Which days are kept for Shiva at Baidyanath?
Monday is Shiva's day of the week, and the pradosha window on the trayodashi tithi of each fortnight, the month of Shravana and Maha Shivaratri are kept at every Jyotirlinga. None of that is particular to Baidyanath — the days to look for at this shrine are the ones the panchangam already marks for Shiva.
We do not publish darshan timings, ticket prices or queue lengths for Baidyanath (Vaidyanath) — those change week to week and we have no way to verify them from here. What this site can settle is when: see the 12 Jyotirlinga circuit for the auspicious days ahead, Maha Shivaratri for the principal Shiva night of the year, or the daily panchangam for the tithi and Rahu Kalam on the date you are travelling.