Five-day Shivratri fair begins at Baijnath with cultural festivities

The five-day state-level Shivaratri festival kicked off today at Indira Stadium, near the ancient Baijnath temple. Urban Development Minister Rajesh Dharmani, who was the chief guest, inaugurated the fair, highlighting the cultural significance of traditional festivals. He also led a colorful Sobha Yatra and performed pooja at the temple.

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The festival will feature cultural performances by artists from across the state, along with exhibitions organised by various state government departments. As today marks Shivaratri, thousands of devotees gathered at the Baijnath Shiva temple to offer prayers to Lord Shiva.

The Baijnath temple, believed to have been constructed in 1204 AD by two merchants, Ahuka and Manyuka, is a prime example of medieval temple architecture and is now protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. The 800-year-old temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, which also gives the town its name.

According to legend, during the Treta Yuga, Ravana worshipped Lord Shiva on Mount Kailash, offering his ten heads to please him. Impressed by Ravana’s devotion, Lord Shiva restored his heads and granted him invincibility and immortality. Ravana then requested Lord Shiva to accompany him to Lanka, and the Lord agreed, converting himself into a “Linga.”

Lord Shiva instructed Ravana not to place the “Linga” down on his journey. However, when Ravana reached Baijnath, he had to answer nature’s call and entrusted the “Linga” to a shepherd. Unable to bear its weight, the shepherd placed it on the ground, where it is believed to have been established as the Baijnath Jyotirlinga.

In Baijnath, locals do not burn Ravana’s effigy during Dussehra, as they believe he was a devoted follower of Lord Shiva. It is believed that burning Ravana’s effigy would bring bad luck. In the past, when some people attempted to celebrate Dussehra and burn Ravana’s effigy, they reportedly died within a year, which the residents interpreted as a sign of Lord Shiva’s wrath. Consequently, no one in Baijnath dares to celebrate Dussehra anymore.