Shakti Peeth

 

Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple, also commonly referred to as Baba Baidyanath Dham, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in india and is considered to be the holiest abode of Lord Shiva. Baba Baidyanath Temple is a Shakti Peeth,  it is called Hridaypeeth. According to mythology this is related to Daksha Yagya. When Sati went there and heard the disrespect of the husband from the father’s mouth, the yagna jumped into the pool. After that there was an outcry. Shiva reached there as soon as he heard. Enraged, he began to orgy with Sati’s dead body on his shoulder. Then Lord Vishnu cut the dead body of Sati into 52 parts with his chakra. The place where he fell was called Shakti Peeth.

The Baba Baidyanath Temple is also a shakti peeth, the heart of Sati was dropped here due to which it is also known as Hridaypeeth. The idols of  Maa Durga and Maa Parvati are  present on a rock inside the temple. People usually climb it and offer flowers and milk to the deities. Within the complex of temple Shakti Peeth is in front of  Baidyanath Temple both temples are joined by red silk ribbons in their tops, known as gathbandhans, which represent the sacred knot tied to the couple during the Saptapadi at the wedding. There is a belief that the couple who tie these two heads with ribbon, their family life will be happy with the blessings of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati.

In the Shiva Purana, the discussion of Dwadash Jyotirlinga is mentioned in the Baidyanatham Chitabhumau. It is said that when Lord Shiva was wandering in the universe with Sati’s body, Sati’s heart fell at this place. At that time, Lord Shiva was cremated here. Hence, this place is called Chita Bhoomi.
There are many facts about the Baidyanath Temple. There is a Chandrakanta Mani in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and from this continuous water comes out and falls on the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga. When people receive the water falling on Baidyanath Jyotirling as Charanamrit, then he gets rid of any disease. This is the only Jyotirlinga in the twelve Jyotirlinga where sindoor donation is done on the Shivalinga on the occasion of Mahashivaratri, as here Shiva and Shakti reside together.

This Jyotirlinga is also called “Kamna Linga”. It is believed that a person who goes to this place gets freedom from all kinds of diseases and all kinds of sins. Bad or negative thoughts are removed from a person’s mind. The person attains a higher level of spiritual consciousness.