Shivratri festival to begin on March 8 in Baijnath

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Palampur, March 3

The five-day state-level Shivratri festival will be held at the ancient Baijnath temple from March 8 to 12. The festival will witness participation of cultural artistes from across the state. Besides, exhibitions will be set up by different departments of the state government.

Baijnath MLA Kishori Lal said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will inaugurate the festival on March 8 and Education Minister Rohit Thakur will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony on March 12.

The Baijnath temple is believed to have been constructed in 1204 AD by two merchants — Ahuka and Manyuka. It is a beautiful example of the medieval temple architecture and the structure is now under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India.

The 800-year-old temple of Lord Shiva (Baijnath) is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, giving the town its name. As per legend, it is believed that during the Treta Yuga, Ravana worshiped Lord Shiva on Mount Kailash and offered his 10 heads to please him. Influenced by Ravana’s extraordinary deed, Lord Shiva not only restored his heads, but also bestowed him with powers of invincibility and immortality, it is believed.

Ravana also requested Lord Shiva to accompany him to Lanka. Lord Shiva agreed and converted himself into a “Linga”. The Lord asked Ravana not to place the “Linga” down on his way to Lanka. Ravana started moving in the southern direction and reached Baijnath, where he felt the need to answer nature’s call. On seeing a shepherd, Ravana handed over the “Linga” to him. On finding the “Linga” heavy, the shepherd kept it on the ground and thus it was established there.

People in the town do not burn Ravana’s effigy at Daseshra as he was a devotee of Lord Shiva. Residents believe that burning his effigy will bring bad luck.

Baijnath residents claim that some people tried to celebrate Daseshra and burnt Ravana’s effigy, but all of them died within a year. This was seen as a sign of the wrath of Lord Shiva and nobody dared to celebrate the festival again.