Baijnath

The small town got its name from the ancient temple known as Baijnath, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Earlier, the town was known as Kiragrama. The town is located on the left bank of the river Binwa, a tributary of river Beas.

River Binwa

                  Baijnath town is set in the backdrop of the Dhauladhar  range, which is around 16 km from Palampur on National Highway-20 of Himachal Pradesh. Baijnath temple is main center of attraction of this town.

                               
                                       The structure of this temple is known as 'Nagara' style of temple. The architectural style has been imbibed from Orissan style, which is very much unique in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The temple uncharacteristically faces west and has two stone statues of Nandi – one seated and the other standing. The surroundings of the temple have been developed into lawns and flowerbeds so that devotees rest here and enjoy the ambiance.

two stone statues of Nandi

Baijnath (or Vaidyanath) is a form (avatar) of Lord Shiva. In this form, Lord Shiva is known to be the 'Lord of Physicians', healing people of their miseries and sufferings. In the Baijnath temple, Shiva is worshipped as the 'God of Healing'.

According to legend, the demon King Ravana from the Hindu epic Ramayana, was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Once, he performed a huge penance to gain the blessings of Lord Shiva (at this place Baijnath) in order to obtain the kingdom of Lanka. While doing the penance, Ravana cut off his head and offered it to the sacrificial fire. So, Lord Shiva was very pleased with Ravana's devotion and not only gave him the boon but also bestowed upon him 10 heads and 20 arms for the one he lost. It is said that Lord Shiva transformed as 'Vaidhya' (doctor) and healed the injuries of Ravana. Hence, he is worshipped in the form of Vaidyanath.

There is a controversies regarding which temple is actually a Shiv Jyotirling (as there are other Baijnath temples such as in Bihar as well as in Uttrakhand) The archeological evidence says that this Baijnath temple is real one. Because this temple falls in the route from Kailash to Lanka. The background story is that demon King Ravana, wanted to have the biggest lingam in the world in his back yard, so he could worship lord Shiva when he feels like it.  He decided to bring  Mount Kailash, the largest lingam to Lanka.  According to Hinduism, Lord Shiva, resides at the summit of a legendary mountain named Kailash, where he sits in a state of perpetual meditation along with his wife Parvati. The huge earth quake shook the mountain, it was actually Ravana lifting the mountain. Lord Shiva pressed his upper toe against the ground and the entire mountain fell on Ravana.

Mount Kailash (downloaded from internet) 

Ravana plucked his own nerves to make a veena (musical instruments)  and sang the Shiva Tandava Stotram (hymn). He praised lord Shiva for years under the mount and Shiva, pleased with his humility lifted his big toe. Lord Shiva gave him a lingam called Golinga. He said that this lingam is as powerful as the Mountain itself and he can carry it to Lanka. Lord Shiva warned him, however, that if he drops the lingam, then the lingam cannot be lifted. It will stay there permanently. Ravana agreed, and started moving south towards Lanka and reached Baijnath where he felt the need to answer the nature’s call. Lord Ganesh had requested Lord wind( Vayu ) to make Ravana to do so. On seeing a shepherd, Ravana handed over the Shivling to him and went away to get himself relieved. The Shepherd was actually Lord Ganesh in a form of a Shepherd. Lord Ganesh proposaly put the linga on the ground and thus become a  Jyotirling here..

                           The linga existed on the spot, and the temple was constructed in 1126, by Manyuka and Ahuka, two brothers, out of their devotion to Lord Vaidyanatha.
                                        The interesting fact about Baijnath town is that Dussehra a major Hindu festival (Dussehra celebrates the Hindu god Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana and the triumph of good over evil) is celebrated all over India, but not in this town. Fearing the wrath of Lord Shiva because no matter what demon king Ravana did in his life, he was first and foremost one of the greatest devotees of Lord Shiva.
Also, there is no goldsmith's shop in this town because it is believed that Lord Shiva hated gold.

Index........