Deoghar is one of the major districts in the Santhal Pargana division of Jharkhand state, India. It is also known as the cultural capital of the Jharkhand state due to its religious and cultural significance.
The literal meaning of Deoghar (also pronounced as Dev-Ghar) is the Adobe of Gods. (In Hindi, देवों का घर). It is also known as Baba Dham, Baidyanath Dham, and Baijnath Dham.
Baidyanath Dham Deoghar Jharkhand
Deoghar district is known for the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Shrine, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas sites of Hinduism. Also, the city has its own archaeological and historical value. Based on our ancient Indian books and scripts, the age of the city is traced back to the Vedic period.
The name Deoghar seems to be of recent origin and probably dates from the erection of the great temple of Baba Baidyanath, one of the 12 Shiva Jyotirlingas and Jaya Durga Shakti Peeth, one of the 51 Shakti Peeths in India.
History Of Deoghar
Vedic Era
Baidhyanath Dham has been referred to as Haritaki Van, and Ketaki Van in Sanskrit Texts. In Dwadasa jyotirlinga stotram, Adi Sankaracharya has mentioned Baidyanath jyotirlinga in the following verses:
पूर्वोत्तरे प्रज्वलिकानिधाने, सदावसन्तं गिरिजासमेतं ।
सुरासुराराधित्पाद्य्पद्मं श्री बैद्यनाथं तमहं नमामि ।।
The Matsya Puran also narrates the place as Arogya Baidyanath, the holy place where Shakti lives and assists Shiva in freeing people from incurable diseases.
Also Read: Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple
Medieval Era
The History of the Santhal Pargana is found from the 13th Century A.D onwards.
During the rule of the Slave Dynasty in Delhi, Ikhtiyaruddin Muhammad Bin Bhakhtiyar Khiljee visited Assam and Bengal en route to Tailiyagarhi. Son of Laxman Sen, the King of Cooch Bihar fled from Cooch Bihar and came to Deoghar in the year 1201 A.D. and established his capital here.
Following the prince, Ikhtiyaruddin Muhammad Bin Bhakhtiyar Khiljee also came to Deoghar and he also made Deoghar his capital in the same year. These Muslim invaders overrun the entire area during the 13th–14th century A.D.
The Madan Madhavi, a manuscript preserved in the archives of the Maharaja of Gidhaur, provides information related to the political and cultural history of the Gidhaur Raj. It includes the description of Babadham as well. This whole area of Deoghar was under the rule of the Kings of Gidhaur.
During the Chandel Rajput rulers’ migration in different directions of the country in 1266 AD, Raja Bir Vikram Singh, the younger brother of Raja of Bardi migrated to the region of Patsanda (Gidhaur) in Bihar and killed the aboriginal chief named Nagoria of Dosadh tribe and founded the kingdom and is said to be the first Rajput invader of this part of Bihar and Jharkhand.
Gidhaur is one of the oldest royal families of Bihar and have ruled Patsanda (Gidhaur) for over six centuries.
In 1596 Raja Puran Singh, the 9th Raja of Gidhaur Princely State built the famous Jyotirling Shiva temple of Baidyanath Dham. Raja Puran was very close friends with Raja Man Singh I of Amer and they cemented their friendship with a marital alliance with Raja Puran Mal’s daughter marrying Raja Chandrabhan Singh of Amer, who was the younger brother of Raja Man Singh I of Amer.
The original citizens of Deoghar are Panari and Adivasis, later several religious groups came to reside here. Historical facts say that Maithil Brahmans came here at the end of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th century from the Mithila Kingdom, known as Darbhanga. Radhi Brahmans came here from Central Bengal during the 16th century, and Kanyakubja also came from Central India during the same phase.
British Era
After the defeat of Nawab Sirajudaula of Bengal in the Battle of Plassey in the year 1757, British rule came into existence. After this battle, the British reigned over Bengal. Deoghar (Santhal Pargana) was under Bengal at that time. Thus the rule of the British started in this area.
The East India Company has taken the administration of Deoghar. An East India Company officer, Mr. Keating, was sent to look at the administration of the city and the temple. He was the first English collector of Birbhum and took an interest in the administration of the temple.
In 1788, under Mr. Keating’s order Mr. Hesilrigg, his assistant, who was probably the first English man to visit the holy city, set out to supervise the collection of the pilgrim offerings and dues personally.
(Note: These photographs were taken by Joseph David Beglar c.1872-73 and form part of the Archaeological Survey of India Collections. Temples are situated within a large, paved courtyard. According to Beglar, most of the temples were built around 400 years ago and the town has been a major center of pilgrimage for at least that long. The relics housed within the temples are mainly around four feet in height.)
Later, when Mr. Keating himself visited the Deoghar temple, he was convinced and forced to abandon his policy of direct interference. He handed over the full control of the temple to the hands of the high priest.
Since then, the head priest is a Maithil Brahman. His post is known as ‘Sevayat’, who is the head priest and religious administrator too. Presently, the temple administration is under one Trust whose members are from the local priest (Panda) community representative of king Giddhor and Deputy Commissioner Deoghar being the receiver.
In 1819, the British wanted to announce Santhal Pargana as its Territory. For this, the British demarcated the area and gave it the Persian name Daminico (Area between Bhagalpur and Rajmahal). The meaning of Daminico is Hilly Skirt. Mr. Potent was made Deputy Collector of this area in the year A.D. 1837.
During the Santhal Mutiny (1854-55) and Freedom Struggles, Deoghar District did not remain untouched in any way by the wave of patriotism. The people of Deoghar participated in the Salt Satyagraha and the Civil Disobedience Movement. There was a boycott of foreign liquor and clothes. The Quit India movement of 1942 brought color to the struggle in Deoghar. On 11th August 1942, a procession was taken out and a strike was observed in Deoghar.
Modern Era
Santhal Pargana District was created in 1885 after the partition of Bhagalpur and Birbhum. Deoghar was a sub-division of the Santhal Pargana district. Deoghar was earlier part of the Dumka District. The district was formed on 1 June 1983 by separating the Deoghar sub-division of the erstwhile Dumka district, Bihar.
After the separation of the Jharkhand state from Bihar on 15 Nov 2000, Deoghar became one of the twenty-four districts of the Jharkhand state.
Geography Of Deoghar
Deoghar district is located in the western portion of Santhal Parganas. It is bounded by Bhagalpur district in the north, Dumka in the south and east, and Giridhi in the west. 24.0.03′ N to 23.0.38′ N and from 86.0.28′ E to 87.0.04′ E; it has an area of 2481 km2 (2,45,156 Hectare). Deoghar City has an area of 119 square kilometers (46 sq mi).
The district contains several clusters of rocky hills covered by forest with a series of long ridges with intervening depressions. Most of the rolling highlands are cultivated with highland crops. The average elevation of the district is 247 m above mean sea level.
Deoghar city is surrounded by various small relict hills such as Dighriya Pahaad, Nandan Pahaad, Trikuti Pahaad, and Tapovan Pahaad. Dighriya Pahaad forms the western boundary of the city and there is a national park being constructed on these hills.
The general slope of the district descends to the southeast. Geologically, the district is mainly covered by Chhota Nagpur granite gneiss of the Archean age with patches of alluvium, sandstone, and shale of Gondwana formations. Important rivers flowing in the district include the Ajay and its tributary Dadhawa river.
Subdivisions and Blocks
Deoghar district is composed of two subdivisions:
- Deoghar
- Madhupur
The district comprises 10 blocks:
- Deoghar
- Devipur
- Karon
- Madhupur
- Margomunda
- Mohanpur
- Palojori
- Sarath
- Sarwan
- Sonaray tharhi
Constituencies
There are 3 Vidhan Sabha constituencies in this district: Madhupur, Sarath, and Deoghar. Madhupur and Deoghar are part of the Godda Lok Sabha constituency, while Sarath is part of the Dumka Lok Sabha constituency.
| Lok Sabha Constituencies (MP Constituencies) | Dumka Godda |
| Vidhan Sabha Constituencies (MLA Constituencies) | Deoghar Madhupur Sarath |
Demographics Of Deoghar
Population
According to the 2011 census, the Deoghar district has a population of 1,492,073, of which 77,5022 were male and 71,7051 were female. The total population in the rural areas was 1233712 and in the urban areas was 258361.
While Deoghar City (block) had a total population of 203,123, of which 107,997 (53%) were males and 95,126 (47%) were females. The total number of literate persons in Deoghar was 150,988 out of which 85,439 are males while 65,549 are females. The average literacy rate of Deoghar city is 85.68 percent of which male and female literacy was 91.24 and 79.37 percent respectively.
Religion
Deoghar district’s religion data based on the 2011 census – 78.09% are Hindu, 20.28% Muslim, and 1.08% Sarna.
While in Deoghar city (block) Hinduism is the prominent religion and is followed by 94.30 % of the population. Islam is the second most followed religion in the city by 4.96 % of the people. Minorities are Christians 0.53 %, Jainism 0.07 %, Sikhism 0.03 %, and Buddhism 0.03 %.
Language
Most of the people of this region are tri-lingual. Apart from the local dialect, almost all the population of this area understands and speaks Bangla and Hindi.
The official languages of the city of Deoghar are Hindi and Khortha, while other native languages like Angika, Santhali, and Bengali are also spoken.
65.39% of the population in the district spoke Khortha, 13.92% Hindi, 9.83% Santali, 6.71% Urdu, and 2.19% Bengali as their first language.
Deoghar Tourism Jharkhand
Visiting Places: Deoghar is one of the most famous tourist destinations in eastern India. It is a major Hindu pilgrimage center and also a famous health resort for tourists. There are many tourist places in Deoghar that attract both tourists and pilgrims to experience spirituality and natural beauty.
Read More: Top 10 Tourist Destinations in Deoghar
How to Reach: Deoghar is well-connected to other major cities of the country by air, road, and rail. There are many regular bus services that are available to and fro the city of Deoghar to nearby cities of Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Deoghar is quite well-connected to the rest of India via railways as well. Baidyanath Dham railway station is the nearest railway station, but the primary station is Jasidih Junction, which is on the Howrah (Kolkata) – Patna – New Delhi rail route. Deoghar Airport is also operational (from 12th July 2022) to provide air services to tourists and pilgrims.
Read More: Tourist Guide Deoghar Jharkhand
Deoghar Tourism Hotels: There are multiple options for hotels available in Deoghar from budget hotels to star hotels and from guest houses to Dharamshala. Hotels near Deoghar temple are also available as per your need and budget.
Read More: Top 5 Hotels in Deoghar
Weather Deoghar Jharkhand
Mainly there are 3 seasons like in most of India. April to June are hot summers, and July to mid-September are rainy days and most crowded due to Kanwar Yatra and Shravani Mela. October to February are pleasant weather and most favorable for the tourists.
News of Deoghar
There are multiple newspapers and epapers published from Deoghar. The most popular for the locals are Prabhat Khabar and Dainik Jagran.
You can also check Prabhat Khabar Deoghar today news online on Prabhat Khabar epaper Deoghar.
Deoghar At A Glance
| District Headquarter | Deoghar |
| Total Area of District | 2,478.61 km2 (957.00 sq mi) |
| Total Area of Deoghar City (Block) | 119 km2 (46 sq mi) |
| Total Population (2011 Census) | Total- 1,492,073 Rural – 1233712 Urban – 258361 Male – 775022 Female – 717051 |
| Total Population of Deoghar (2011 Census) | Total- 203,123 Male- 107,997 Female- 95,126 |
| Sex Ratio | 925 (Deoghar District) 921 (Deoghar Block) |
| District Sub-Divisions | Deoghar & Madhupur |
| Total Blocks in District | 10 |
| Constituency | Lok Sabha- Godda Vidhan Sabha- Deoghar |
| District Literacy Rate | 66.34% |
| Literacy Rate Deoghar block | Total- 85.68% Male- 91.24% Female- 79.37% |
| District Religions | Hinduism- 78.09% Islam- 20.28% Sarna – 1.08% Others- 0.55% |
| Deoghar Religions | Hinduism- 94.30% Islam- 4.96% Christianity- 0.53% Janism-0.07% Sikhism- 0.07% Bodhism- 0.07% Others- 0.04% |
| Languages | Khortha (65.39%) Hindi (13.92%) Santali (9.83%) Urdu (6.71%) Bengali (2.19%) Others (1.96%) |
| Deoghar PIN Code | 814117 |
| Deoghar STD Code | 06432 |
| Vehicle Registration | JH-15 |
| Official Website | https://deoghar.nic.in |
References: researchgate.net, academia.edu and Wikipedia
FAQs On Deoghar
1. Why is Deoghar famous?
Deoghar, also known as Baidyanath Dham, is an important Hindu pilgrimage site. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga sites and also one of the 51 Shakti Peetha in India. It is also famous for Shravani Mela and Maha Shivratri.
2. How can I go to Baidyanath Dham Deoghar?
Deoghar is well-connected to other major cities of the country by air, road, and rail. The nearest Railway station is Jasidih Junction and the nearest Airport is Deoghar Airport.
3. What is the best time to visit Deoghar?
The best time for visiting the holy pilgrimage of Deoghar is in winter, especially during the months from October until March.
4. What can I buy in Deoghar?
Deoghar is famous for handmade wood and clay crafts. Deoghar is also famous for its food items and prasad.
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