SUMAN K. SHRIVASTAVA
High upon Trikuta Parvat, legend says Ravana once paused. The mighty king of Lanka, burdened with the sacred Jyotirlinga he had wrested through devotion to Lord Shiva, rested briefly on this hill with three peaks. The spot where he halted is still remembered as “Ravana’s Helipad”—a rare place where mythology portrays him not as a demon king, but as Shiva’s most steadfast devotee.
It is here, in Deoghar—literally “the home of the gods”—that myth, memory, and devotion converge. Revered as Baidyanath Dham, this town in Jharkhand is celebrated as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, yet it also carries an extraordinary connection with Ravana. Across its hills, streams, and temple precincts, the echoes of his devotion still linger.
The Sanctity of Baidyanath
Ancient texts—including the Puranas, medieval pilgrimage manuals, and British-era records—refer to Deoghar as Hardapitha, Ketaki-vana, and Vaidyanatha. For centuries, Baidyanath Dham has been revered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva. Even today, lakhs of pilgrims throng its temple during Shravan, carrying sacred Ganga water from Sultanganj to pour over the Shiva Lingam.
The temple itself is steeped in legend. Ravana, determined to make Lanka the seat of divine power, undertook severe penance to please Lord Shiva. Moved by his devotion, Shiva granted him the boon of carrying the Jyotirlinga away. Yet, on his return journey, Ravana was deceived by Lord Vishnu, disguised as a Brahmin and forced to set the Lingam down at Deoghar, where it became immovable. In this moment of divine intervention, Baidyanath Dham was established as a living testament to both Shiva’s grace and Ravana’s unwavering devotion.
Ravana’s Helipad at Trikuta Parvat
Among Deoghar’s many sacred sites, none is as evocative as Ravana’s Helipad on Trikuta Parvat. Pilgrims who climb the hill stand where Ravana is believed to have rested, imagining the mighty devotee weighed down not only by the divine Lingam but also by the burden of destiny.
For devotees, the Helipad symbolises a moment of stillness—where Ravana’s ambition gave way to his devotion, and where even the most powerful king revealed his human side in service to Lord Shiva. Unlike most traditions that cast him as the antagonist of the Ramayana, Deoghar preserves the memory of Ravana as Shiva’s most ardent worshipper.
Other Sacred Footprints of Ravana
Deoghar’s landscape holds many more echoes of Ravana’s journey:
- Harila Jori – Where Ravana paused under Haritaki trees and entrusted the Lingam to Vishnu in disguise; the stream here is still known as Ravana Jori.
- Nandan Pahad – When Nandi tried to block Ravana’s assault on Kailash, he hurled the bull away; Nandi is believed to have landed here, where a grand statue now stands.
- Temple Precincts – Some locals point to “Ravana’s footprints” near the Baidyanath temple, said to mark the spots where he once stood in devotion.
Together, these sites form a sacred geography unique to Deoghar—a landscape where Ravana’s story is remembered in reverence, not reproach.
Tapovan: The Grove of Penance
Six miles from Deoghar lies Tapovan, a hill sanctified by meditation and penance. Its caves and Shiva temple still attract seekers, while inscriptions link the site to the Pala dynasty.
The hill is home to a remarkable cracked rock which naturally reveals the image of Hanuman within—an enigma beyond human explanation. In modern times, Sri Balananda Brahmachari made Tapovan his hermitage, drawing countless devotees in search of spiritual awakening.
Living Traditions: Ravana the Devotee
Beyond scriptures, Ravana’s story continues in oral traditions. During Shravan, folk songs dedicated to both Shiva and Ravana echo through villages, recalling the king of Lanka not as a demon, but as a seeker whose devotion outshone his power.
Elderly pilgrims often remark that Deoghar is the one place where Ravana’s ambition was humbled, and his devotion immortalised. Here, faith prevailed over pride.
Deoghar Today: Where Faith and Heritage Converge
Modern Deoghar balances the rhythm of a bustling town—courts, markets, and offices—with its eternal spiritual pulse. Pilgrims chanting “Bol Bam” still walk barefoot for miles, carrying holy water to Baidyanath Dham.
And in its hills, streams, and temples, Deoghar continues to whisper the intertwined tales of Lord Shiva and Ravana—the god and his most loyal devotee.
Did You Know?
- Ravana’s Helipad – Trikuta Parvat is revered as the resting place of Ravana while carrying the Lingam to Lanka.
- Only Ravana Footprints in India – Deoghar is believed to be the sole place where Ravana’s journey left lasting traces.
- Devotee, Not Villain – Unlike most traditions, Deoghar honours Ravana’s devotion to Shiva rather than his enmity with Rama.
- Nandan Pahad’s Toss – Ravana is said to have hurled Nandi here, giving the hill its mythic identity.
- Shravan’s Sacred March – Each year, lakhs of pilgrims still walk barefoot from Sultanganj to Baidyanath Dham, carrying Ganga water for Shiva.
