Mahashivratri Preparations Begin in Deoghar; Mithilanchal Devotees to Offer Tilak and Salami Jal on Basant Panchami, VIP Darshan Suspended

Deoghar: Preparations for Mahashivratri have gathered momentum at Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, as the temple town has been enveloped in deep devotion and spiritual fervour. Even weeks ahead of Mahashivratri, the shrine is witnessing a steady influx of devotees, especially from the Mithilanchal region, who have begun arriving to take part in the age-old Tilak ceremony.

The traditional Tilak of Baba Baidyanath will be performed on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami. Ahead of the ceremony, thousands of devotees known as Tilakharus—who perform the sacred ritual of applying tilak and offering Salami Jal to Lord Shiva—have reached Deoghar. This centuries-old tradition holds special religious significance for devotees from Mithilanchal and has been observed continuously for generations.

From early morning hours, a sea of devotees can be seen moving towards Babadham, chanting hymns and carrying ritual materials to offer tilak and holy water to Baba Baidyanath. Temple premises and surrounding areas have come alive with devotional songs, conch shells, and the rhythmic chanting of “Bol Bam,” creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere.

In view of the growing crowd and to ensure smooth darshan arrangements, the temple administration has announced that VIP darshan will remain suspended during the Tilak ceremony period. Officials stated that the decision was taken to give equal opportunity to all devotees and to maintain order during peak footfall days.

The district administration and temple management have made elaborate arrangements for crowd management, security, sanitation, drinking water, and medical facilities. Additional police personnel have been deployed, and surveillance has been increased to ensure the safety of devotees.

Temple authorities said the number of pilgrims is expected to rise sharply as Mahashivratri approaches, with devotees from Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and other states planning visits to the holy shrine.

With rituals underway and faith running high, Deoghar has once again transformed into a vibrant centre of devotion, marking the beginning of the grand spiritual build-up to Mahashivratri at Baba Baidyanath Dham.