Deoghar district is one of the twenty-two districts of Jharkhand state and Deoghar town is the administrative headquarters of this district. The district of Deoghar, a part of Jharkhand state, was created on 01.06.1983. Before this, Deoghar was a sub-division of Santhal Pargana district. Santhal Pargana District was created in 1885 after partition of Bhagalpur and Birbhum. An important reason behind the creation of Santhal Pargana was Santhal Mutiny in 1854-55.

Deoghar is a Hindi word and the literal meaning of 'Deoghar' is abode ('ghar') of the Gods and Goddesses ('dev'). The place, also known as Baidyanathdham, is a very famous Hindu pilgrimage centre. The Ravneshwar Shiva temple of Deoghar, is a Siddha Peeth and one amongst the twelve Shiva Jyothirlingams in India. The Lingam enshrined here is also known as 'Kamna Lingam'.

The Puranas speak of the Baidyanath Jyortiligam. According to the Shiva Purana, it was in the Treta yuga that the demon Ravana, king of Lanka, felt that his capital would not be perfect and free from enemies unless Mahadeva stays there forever, he paid continuous meditation to Mahadeva. Ultimately Shiva got pleased and permitted him to carry his lingam with him to Lanka. Mahadeva advised him not to place or transfer this lingam to anyone. There should not be a break in his journey to Lanka. If he deposits the lingam anywhere on the earth, in the course of his journey, it would remain fixed at that place forever. Ravana was happy as he was taking his return journey to Lanka.

His fate willed otherwise. The gods took it ill. They never liked to see Mahadeva as his protector. They devised a plan for outwitting Ravana. They requested Varuna to enter into the belly of Ravana. So, on his way Ravana felt a severe urge to release water. He began looking for a man to whom he could temporarily entrust the lingam. Vishnu appeared before Ravana in the guise of a Brahmin. Unaware of the mystery, Ravana handed over the lingam to the Brahmin. Unfortunately, Ravana could not ease himself soon. In the meanwhile the Brahmin placed the lingam at this place which was and which is now Baidyanathdham.

Ravana tried hard to remove the lingam from the spot where it had been placed. He could not turn out the lingam even an inch. This made him frustrated. He used violence but he only succeeded in pushing the lingam by thumb. Later on he felt guilty of his doings and begged for pardon.

He returned to Lanka but visitied daily to worship the lingam. This continued forever. The place where Ravana descended on the earth is identified with the present Harilajori about four miles north of Baidyanathdham and the place where the lingam was kept, is now Deoghar and the lingam itself is known to all as Baidyanath Jyotirlingam.

Babadham is located in north-eastern Jharkhand, four miles from Jasidih railway station on the main line of the Eastern Railway from Howrah to Delhi. There is a small railway branch line from Jasidih to Babadham. The railway station at Babadham is called Baidyanath Dham. Babadham stands near the G.T. Road connecting Calcutta with Delhi. From the G.T. Road, you can take a turn to the state road at Bagodar or at Dumri.

Places of Interest

Navlakha TempleNandan Pahar: This is a small hill edging the town which hosts a famous Nandi Temple. It has been beautifully maintained by the local administration and speaks volume about the beauty of this place. This hill faces the famous Shiv temple on its one side and on the other side it has a beautifull lake luring the visitors.

Basukinath (43 km): where an attractive Shiva temple is located

Satsanga Ashram: A holy place for devotees of Shri Shri Anukul Chandra Thakur. This place can be termed on the lines of great Ashramas. It also holds a zoo in its vicinity.

Navalakha Mandir (2 km): where temples of Radha and Krishna stand majestically