SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Every year, as the festival of Basant Panchami approaches, the temple town of Deoghar in Jharkhand prepares for a unique and colourful tradition that binds faith, folklore, and festivity. Known as the Tilak ceremony of Lord Shiva (Mahadev), this pre-marriage ritual is performed a few days before Maha Shivratri, symbolising the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
For the people of Mithila—spanning districts like Samastipur, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, and Madhubani in Bihar—this day holds exceptional significance. They arrive in large numbers at Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga, one of India’s holiest Shaivite shrines, not merely as devotees but as kin. Rooted in an age-old belief, they consider themselves the “sala” (brothers-in-law) of Mahadev, owing to Mithila’s identity as the land of Goddess Sita, sister of Parvati.
The Tilak Tradition: A Brother-in-Law’s Privilege
On this occasion, Mithila’s pilgrims perform the Tilak ceremony of Lord Shiva, re-enacting the symbolic prelude to the divine marriage. Their role as “sala” is not just ceremonial but comes with a set of customary privileges.
In Deoghar, these pilgrims move freely, often entering local homes, helping themselves to fruits, vegetables, or firewood without objection. They maintain bonfires, sing devotional kirtans through the night, and, in the process, are humorously referred to as “Ganch-Katwa” (woodcutters). The locals accept this unusual liberty with grace, considering it part of the sacred bond between Mithila and Mahadev. Even the temple priests, or pandas, jestingly remark that the brothers-in-law of Lord Shiva deserve the first right to everything in town.
Another charming aspect of the festival is the offering of first harvest grains by pilgrims, which are thrown onto the temple roof, symbolising prosperity and devotion. On Makar Sankranti, sesame laddoos are offered at the temple, and this ritual continues for a month, adding to the festive rhythm of the season.
A Temple Alive with Rituals
The Baidyanath temple is not only the site of the Tilak ceremony but also the stage for a rich calendar of pujas and offerings. From the daily nitya puja and Radha-Krishna worship to monthly observances on Ekadashi, Amavasya, and festivals such as Rath Yatra, Navratri, Durga Puja, and Deepawali, the temple resonates with spiritual activity throughout the year.
Special occasions such as Magh Sankranti, Basant Panchami, Maha Shivratri, Ram Navami, Shravan Mela, Janmashtami, and Kali Puja draw thousands of pilgrims. Each ritual blends Shaivite, Vaishnavite, and Shakta traditions, reflecting the temple’s unique position as a melting pot of Vedic and Tantric practices.
The Controversial Tradition of Bali Pratha
Among these rituals, the one that often sparks debate is the practice of Bali Pratha—the ritual sacrifice of male goats and buffaloes. Unlike most Jyotirlingas, Baba Baidyanath has historically been a centre of Shakta worship, where sacrifices are offered to Goddess forms such as Durga, Kali, Tara, and Bagla.
Sacrifices are performed on major festivals including Dussehra, Deepawali, Jagadhatri Puja, Holi, Makar Sankranti, Ram Navami, and Sharad Purnima. For example, during Navami of Dussehra, 13 goats and 20 buffaloes are sacrificed, while on Deepawali, as many as 22 goats and one buffalo are offered. Additionally, sacrifices take place every Tuesday before Maa Kali and every Amavasya night before Maa Tara and Kali, amounting to hundreds of sacrifices annually.
Interestingly, while sacrifices are conducted in the Bhitarkhand mandap of the temple, the main shrine of Lord Shiva is always closed during the rituals, underlining the theological stance that Shiva does not desire animal sacrifice. The practice remains, however, as part of the temple’s enduring Shakta traditions.
Gath-Bandhan: A Marriage Knot in the Skies
Amidst these customs, the ritual of Gath-Bandhan adds a deeply symbolic and visually striking touch. Couples visiting the temple take pride in offering a red strip of cotton cloth as a symbolic marriage knot between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Sewaks (temple attendants) climb atop the Panchsool of Lord Shiva’s temple, tie one end of the cloth, and then carry the other end to the Maa Parvati temple, where it is similarly fastened. The strip flutters in the wind like a celestial bond, embodying the eternal union of the divine couple.
For newly married couples and those seeking marital blessings, the Gath-Bandhan is especially auspicious, weaving personal devotion with the cosmic love story of Shiva and Parvati.
A Living Tradition
The Tilak ceremony of Baba Baidyanath is more than a ritual; it is a celebration of kinship, faith, and folklore that bridges the sacred geography of Mithila and Deoghar. While modern sensibilities may question practices like animal sacrifice, they remain part of the temple’s layered identity, reflecting centuries of cultural synthesis between Shaivism and Shaktism.
As Deoghar fills with the songs, rituals, and laughter of Mithila’s pilgrims each Basant Panchami, the town transforms into a living canvas of devotion—where mythology breathes through tradition, and faith continues to shape community life.
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