Nitish inaugurates Shravani Mela 2011

Sultanganj. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today inaugurated the month-long ‘Shravani Mela’ at Sultanganj in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district. Kumar, accompanied by state Health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey, went to Sultanganj and inaugurated the mela. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the state government would develop the road between Sultanganj to Deoghar in Jharkhand as a model ‘Kanwariya’ road. “Steps will be also taken for special facilities on every one km of route on the road from Sultanganj to Deoghar where lakhs of devotees offered prayers to famous temple of lord Shiva in Shravan every year”, he said.

Kumar utilised the opportunity to request the devotees taking water from river Ganga from here to offer prayers at the Shiva temple to pray for Bihar’s growth. “Please pray the God that good sense prevails and the centre concedes our demand for giving a special state status to Bihar”, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Choubey urged the Centre to declare the ‘Shravani Mela’ as a national fair. BJP MP Syed Shahnawaz Hussain also spoke.

– July 16, 2011

Source by: PTI, magnificentbihar.co.in

Shravani Mela 2011

Sultanganj- Baidhyanath Dham Shravani Mela 2011

(16 July – 13 August)

Shravani Mela is the most celebrated 30 day festival in sultanganj(Bihar) to Deoghar Badiyanath temples of Jharkhand.In 2011, Shravani Mela begins on July 16 and ends on August 13. Thousands of Shiva devotees from India, Nepal and from other countries around the world undertake a pilgrimage from Sultanganj to Baba Baidyanath Temple. The month-long fair is also known as Shrabani Mela.

Here is detail of main places of route of Sultanganj To Deoghar: 

Sultanganj Railway Station -Ajgaibinath Tample – Ransurganj- Asarganj – Tarapur Dharmshala – Rampur Dharmshala – Kamarsaar – Sahebganj – Suiya – Kanwariya Dharmshala – Indravan – Dharmshala – Gauriyadi Dharmashala – Nayadih Dharmshala – Deoghar

Come to this holy place and take the blessing of Lord Shiva in the coming Shravani Fair.

 BOL BAM  ! BOL BAM    ! BOL BAM  ! 

‘हिंदू हेल्प लाइन सर्विस’ : 02066803300

Inauguration of the Shravani Mela 2010

Sultanganj Shravani Mela:-  In the month of Shravan ( 27 July – 24Aug ) Pilgrims ( Kamaria ) travel from Sultanganj to Deoghar on foot carrying Ganga Jal (water from the Ganga river) to offer on Lord Shiva. The Distance is 105 Kms Scene on the road is like a fair for one month..

The inauguration of the Shravani Mela was done at Sultanganj on 26th July 2010 by the chief guest Sushil Kumar Modi, Deputy CM of Bihar. The celebration was chaired by PHED minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey. On the occasion food and supplies minister Shri Narendra Singh, animal husbandry minister Ramnarayan Mandal and Sultanganj MLA Sudhanshu Shekhar Bhaskar and others.

The program took place at the Sultanganj’s Seedhi Ghat. The inauguration of the Shravani Mela started with this. Symbol of faith & trust the shravani mela goes on for 1 month. The inundation of faith will continue for more than one month i.e., for the month of Sawan & Bhadon too. From the first day of Sawan lacs of devotees will travel to Deoghar for 105 kilometers, taking the holy water from Sultanganj’s uttarvahini Ganga wearing the traditional saffron dresses and as Kanwariya’s. The devotees will devote the holy water to one of the twelve jyotirlinga’s of Mahadev Shiva and will be the participant of virtue.

The Shiva temple of Deoghar is a recognized place of Siddh and is famous as kamna ling from ancient times. Every year this mahakumbh of Shiva devotees continue for Sawan & Bhadon and it is world famous as the lengthiest fair. Every year more than 1-2 lacs devotees take holy water from Sultanganj to Deoghar. With the slogans of ‘Bol-Bam Bol Bam’ the environment of the region becomes spiritual and Shiva devoted. Increase in number of the devotees has been increasing every year. Devotees from off place gather here to participate in the Shravani mela.

Sultanganj - Deoghar shravani mela 2010

Starts on July 27 - Ends on August 24.

Sultanganj Deoghar Sawan Mela Starts on 27 July 2010. Sawan mahina (Shravan month) is very auspicious Hindu month. Each and everyday during the Shravana Mas has some significance. The month of Shravan, popularly known as Sawan, is the fifth month of the Hindu calender. Sultangang. Shravani Mela starts in every month of Sawan (Hindi Month). More then 50 lakhs devotees come Sultanganj for take Holy water of Ganga River. After taking Holy water of Ganga River they go to Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar) by on foot in full month of Sawan . The total distance from Sultanganj to Baidynath Dham is 105 km. by old way and 90 km from new shortcut way . Some devotees runs non stop to Deoghar from Sultanganj and they reach Babadham (Baidyanath Dham) in less then 24 hrs.

Ajgaivinath Temple wallpaper

Hindu Piligrims, World Famous Shiva Temple Ajgaivinath World famous Ajgaivinath temple is dedicated to lord shiva.

Sultanganj - deoghar shravani mela 2009

Started From : July 7, 2009 ends on : August 5, 2009

The Hindi Month of Sharvan is of great importance at the Lord Shiva Temple at Deogharh in Jharkhand, popularly known as the Baba Baidyanath Dham. Thousands of Shiva devotees from India, Nepal and from other countries around the world undertake a pilgrimage from Sultanganj to Baba Baidyanath Temple. The month-long fair is also known as Shrabani Mela. In 2009, Shravani Mela begins on July 7 and ends on August 5.

Bhagalpur : Manjusha art

Manjushas are temple-shaped boxes, made of bamboo,jute straw and paper. According to legend, Manjusha art traces its origin to the Bihula-Vishahri or Mansha folktale,popular in erstwhile Anga Pradesh and found also in an altered form in West Bengal. The paintings are drawn primarily on the occasion of the Bishari puja, celebrated usually in August to propitiate the snake gods. As Bihula’s boat was decorated by a character called Lahsan Mali, this art has been confined to the Mali or gardener caste. LikeMadhubanis, Manjushas too are pictorial reflections of folklore, poetry and the larger cultural consciousness of the region.

Manjushas are considered by many as modern art, due to their form and abstract themes. This is why the art-lover whodiscovered them for the outside world, W.G. Archer,an ics officer who worked in different parts of Bihar between ‘31 and ‘48,compared them to the works of Picasso and Jackson Pollock. Archer, in fact, took some of these paintings to the India OfficeLibrary in London as part of the Archer Collection.

The Manjusha or the border lining the work is often criticised as merely the "ceremonial" part of the painting, but it’s what sets them apart. A temple-shaped structure with eight pillars, it often has swirling snakes depicting the central character Bihula’s tale of love and sacrifice.

Manjushas, thus, have often been referred to as ‘snake paintings’ by Westerners, including Archer. Other motifs figuring prominently in these paintings are drawn from nature, be it the sun, the moon, fishes, sandal or bamboo, each with its own significance in the folklore. Unlike Madhubani, Manjushas are painted only in three colours -red, yellow and green - on a black background. According to legend, Manjusha art traces its origin to the Bihula- Vishahri or Mansha folktale, popular in erstwhile Anga Pradesh and found also in an altered form in West Bengal.The paintings are drawn primarily on the occasion of the Bishari puja, celebrated usually in August to propitiate the snake gods. As Bihula’s boat was decorated by a character called Lahsan Mali, this art has been confined to the Mali or gardener caste.

"Bihula-Bishari puja" A Regional Festival

Popularly known as the festival in honour of snakes, it is celebrated during the bright fortnight of the month of Shravana.

In the celebration, in the South images of Snakes are crafted in cowdung on either side of the entrance to the house as a mark of welcome to snake God and offering of milks are given in the holes around the house.


The Story :Manasa Debi was a mind-born daughter31 of Siva. She was born of Siva's semen left on a chikanipata32. She is known as Bisahari33 and said to have extraordinary supernatural power to bless her devotees. She can also ruin and kill those who do not believe in her existence and offer their prayer to her. There was a very rich ship merchant, named Chanrakar. He was also known to the people as Chandu Saudagar34. He was a great devotee of Siva. He had six sons and a happy family. He did notconsider Manasa as a Goddess. Manasa Debi did not like this attitude of Chandu Saudagar and killed all his six sons by

sending black snakes. However Chandu Saudagar did not relent. One day pleased with the devotion of Chandu Siva appeared in his dream and expressed his willingness to bless him with some great things as per the desire of Chandu. Chandu Saudagar asked him for a son. Siva agreed to bless him with a son but put a condition before him. " If you want to have a son who will have long life, he would be a fool, lethargic and an idiot. Instead if you want to have an ideal, intelligent and handsome son he will die at the early age of 20", said Siva, "now you tell me what exactly you want." After a serious thought Chandu Saudagar opted for an intelligent son who would have a short life. Later, Chandu's wife gave birth to a male child whose name was Bala Lakshendra or Lakhinder. Lakhinder was bright, intelligent and a very cultured child. Everybody was happy with his behaviour. When he reached the marriageable age his father wanted to solemnise his marriage ceremony with an equally qualified and highly cultured girl. After a great search, Chandu Saudagar saw Bihula. She was very beautiful, meritorious, highly cultured and a homely girl. Chandu also came to know that according to her family tradition every woman dies as a sumangali and none of them would become a widow at any point of time. In this family tradition of Bihula, Chandu Saudagar saw a ray of hope for his dear and affectionate son Lakhinder and as a result he immediately decided to choose her as his daughter-in-law.

The marriage was solemnised in a happy atmosphere. Lakhinder was bitten by a dangerous cobra at the behest of Manasa Debi on his first night of the bridal-bed in the bridal chamber itself. Lakhinder cried in helplessness and breathed his last. The innocent but firm Bihula decided to remain with his dead body on a raft in the river Ganges. Chandu and neighbouring people made futile attempts to dissuade her. But she was determined. Finding no other alternative, Chandu gave permission to Bihula. She started her voyage on a raft along with her husband's dead body. The current slowly carried the raft. She had to face various difficulties in her journey, but she overcame them all. Ultimately she found a washerwoman washing the clothes by the side of the river Ganges. Her small child was disturbing her. Getting irritated with the behaviour of her girl child, the washerwoman killed her baby and started washing her clothes. Once she had washed all her clothes, she sprinkled some drops of water on the face of her baby and the dead baby became alive. Bihula took no time to understand the supernatural power of this lady and took shelter at her feet and narrated her the sad story.

In accordance with the advice of washerwoman, Bihula reached the Mahadeoloka35 with her. On the instruction of the washerwoman, Bihula performed a wonderful dance to please the Lord. The Lord was very impressed by her graceful performance and was moved by the story of her tragic life on earth and heaven. He called Manasa and asked her to give the reasons of her
tragedy. Manasa vehemently denied that she was responsible for the tragedy of Bihula. However, Bihula succeeded in producing definite evidence. But Manasa insisted that she was not responsible for the sad plight of Bihula, and it was Chandu Saudagar, her father-in-law, who was solely responsible, because he always abused and disrespected Manasa Debi and did not consider her to be a goddess worthy of worship. Manasa then told Bihula that if Chandu Saudagar were to worship her, she would bring Lakhinder back to life. Bihula felt the hope of restoration of life for the corpse of her husband in the statement of Manasa and agreed to her proposal. Manasa then brought Lakhinder and other six sons of Chandu Saudagar back to life by chanting spells. At the humble request of Bihula, Manasa recovered all the boats of Chandu Saudagar along with the cargo and crew that had been submerged by the wrath of Mansa Debi. She thus fulfilled the desire of Bihula. With all the seven sons and lost property of Chandu Saudagar, Bihula came down to the city in the earth where the old eyes of Chandu Saudagar and his wife were counting the days to breathe their last. All of a sudden they received all their lost sons along with the cargo and crew.

Now Chandu Saudagar realized the power of Bihula and gave his consent to worship the deity - Manasa Debi. The goddess blessed him. He realized that there was none except Manasa Debi in these three worlds. Finally, he worshipped Manasa with offerings of various fruits and animals.Thus, Chandu Saudagar, a devout follower of Siva, changed his religious ideas and became one of the staunch followers of the Manasa-cult, which was originally a tantric-cum-folk cult.

Temple at Deoghar | Baba Baidyanath Dham

Baidyanath Dham, also known as Baijnath Dham or Babadham, is located in north-eastern Jharkhand, four miles from Jasidih railway station on the main line of the Eastern Railway from Howrah to Delhi. There is a small railway branch line from Jasidih to Babadham. The railway station at Babadham is called Baidyanath Dham. Babadham stands near the G.T. Road connecting Calcutta with Delhi. From the G.T. Road, you can take a turn to the state road at Bagodar or at Dumri. Devotees coming down from Kolkata or other parts of West Bengal can take the route via Jamtara. In the North-East? Dumka, Rajmahal and Bhagalpur; in the North-West? Munger; in the West Hazaribag and in the South Giridih district border the region. Baidyanath Dham is famous for the Baba Baidyanath temple complex consists of the main temple of Baba Baidyanath, where one of the twelve Jyotirlingams is installed, which is called Baidyanath Jyotirlingam , and 21 other temples. These temples are - Narvadeshwar Temple, Ma Kali Temple, Ma Annapurna Temple, Chandrakupa, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Neelkantha Temple, Ma Parvati Temple, Ma Jagat Janani Temple, Ganesh Temple, Brahma Temple, Ma Sandhya Temple, Kal Bhairav Temple, Hanuman Temple, Mansa Temple, Ma Saraswati Temple, Surya Narayan Temple, Ma Bagla Temple, Tulsi Chaura, Neel Chakra, Baba Baidyanath temple, Sri Ram Temple, Ma Ganga Temple, Anand Bhairav Temple, Gauri Shankar Temple and Ma Tara Temple.


History
The Babadham temple has been famous since 8th century AD when the last Gupta Emperor Adityasena Gupta ruled this region. During Mugal period, the temple of Babadham was under their tributory rulers. During Akbar's rule, Man Singh was associated with his court and was also attached to the Gidhaur dynasty for a long time and had contacts with a number of rulers of Bihar. Man Singh's brother, Bhan Singh was married to daughter of Puran Mal. Man Singh got a tank excavated here, which is today known as Mansarovar. An inscription on the Baidyanath
temple states that Puran Mal built it at the request of the priest Raghunath Ojha. However, tradition relates that the inscription was forcibly put by Puran Mal, after he had the temple repaired, to mark his ownership of the surrounding land. Raghunath Ojha was unable to resist Puran Mal for this inscrition. Later, he had a porch created and therein set his own inscription. claiming to have created the entire temple. In the 18th century, the Maharaja of Gidhaur faced political turmoil. He had to fight against the Nababs of Birbhum. Under the Muhammadan government, the chief priest appears to have paid a fixed rent to the Nabab of Birbhum, and the
administration of the temple seems to have been left entirely in the hands of the priest. For a few years the Nabab ruled over Babadham. Subsequently, the Maharaja of Gidhaur defeated the Nabab and Babadham was brought back under his rule till the East India Company came in the picture. In 1757 after the battle of Pallasy the officers of the East India Company paid their attention to this 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 personally the collection of the pilgrim offerings and dues. Later, when Mr. Keating himself visited Babadham, 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. People visit Baidyanath Dham to worship Lord Shiv. The month of Sawan or Shravan is especially important for the devotees. Shravani mela (fair) is held every year. The Kanwarias come from Sultanganj to Deoghar with water of the Ganga or Ganges and pour it to bath the shiv ling here during Shravan month of the Indian Calendar.

The hoary temple at Deoghar (the home of gods) is the most important pilgrim point in Bihar that attracts thousands of Shiv devotees during the month of Shrawan (July/August), when the summer heat has just given way to the early monsoon. Saffron clad pilgrims with pots of holy water, well balanced on their shoulder make a 100 km bare trekking from Sultanganj (where the holy water of Ganges is considered holdier due to its unusual flow northwards) to Baidyanath Dha at Deoghar. Water is poured on the lingam to appease Shiva.

The sanctity of Deoghar lies in its legend of Ravana who went all the way to Mount Kailash, pleading Shiva to make Lanka his hoe. Ravana's other was an ardent devotee of Shiva and she worshipped a Shivling made of clay, which soon dissolved with daily pouring of water over it. This prompted Ravana to implore Shiva if he would reside in Lanka. Lord Shiva did not accede to Ravana's prayer but offered him one of twelve emblems of his divinity (Jyotiralinga) which would be quite as effective and that he might take it away on the condition that the transfer should be effected without breaking the journey. Moreover if the linga was placed elsewhere on earth during the journey, it would remain fixed on that spot forever.

The other gods felt unhappy at the Jyotiralinga being tansported to Lanka which would render them powerless in their fight with Ravana. Accordingly they planned to outwit Ravana. Varuna, the god of water entered the belly of Ravana, urging him to relieve himself. Ravana was left with no alternative but to descend and befriend and old Brahamin (who was Vishnu in disguise) begging him to hold the lingam for a while. On return Ravana found the lingam lying on the ground and the Brahamin was nowhere to be seen. He was in a great rage but equally helpless as he tried hard to reove the linga from the spot but be only succeeded in breaking a piece of the top of it. This place where the jyotiralinga was destined to last for ever is Deoghar, also popular as Baijnath Dham.

Shrawan Mela | Shrawani Mela | Shrawan Mela in 2008 : 19 July to 16 August

Shrawan Mela in 2008 : 19 July to 16 August

The importance of Babadham increases during the month of Shrawan. During this period, lakhs of devotees throng the Baba Baidyanath temple. Most of them first visit Sultanganj, which is 105 km from Babadham.

In Sultanganj, the Ganges flows to the North. It is from this place that the devotees collect water in their kanwars and carry the holy Ganges water, with the kanwars on their shoulders. They walk 109 km up to Baba Baidyanath temple at Babadham reciting Bol Bam on the way.

On reaching Babadham, the kanwarias first take a dip in the Shivaganga to purify themselves, and then enter the Baba Baidyanath temple, where the Ganges water is offered to the Jyotirlingam. This pilgrimage continues during the whole of Shravan for 30 days, during July-August. This is the longest religious fair in the world.

People from foreign lands also visit Babadham not only during Shrawan month but also during the rest of the year. The sight on the way from Sultanganj to Babadham is of a 109 km long human chain of saffron clad pilgrims. It is estimated that within this period of one month around 50 to 55 lakhs pilgrims visit Babadham. Besides the great pilgrimage of Shrawan, almost the whole year remains under fair with Shivaratri in March, Basant Panchami in January, Bhadra Purnima in September.

source : babadham.org

Why the kanwarias offer ganges water in the Shravana month?

The legend says that when the churning of oceans - Samudra Manthan - took place in the month of Shravan, fourteen different types of rubies came out. Thirteen of these were distributed amongst the deamons, except Halahal (poison). Lord Shiva drank the Halahal and stored it in his throat. Hence the name Neelkantha (meaning blue throat) is attributed to Shiva.

To reduce the strong effect of poison, Lord Shiva wore the crescent moon on his head. All the Gods, thereafter started offering the Ganges water to Lord Shiva to make lessen the effect of poison.Since, this happened in the month of Shravan, since then the Shiva devotees offer the Ganges water in this month.

Source : babadham.org

Importance of Bol - Bam

The word Bam is a short name for Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The letters BA came from Brahma and Vishnu and M came from Mahesh.

It is a long efficacious mantra (a hymn). When it is chanted during the way, it generates energy and enthusiasm amongst the kanwarias and gives them the psychological strength to carry on walking and succeed in covering the long distance from Sultanganj to Babadham.

According to the Skand Purana, those who complete the holy journey by reciting Bam-Bam obtain the virtues of Ashwamedha Yajna.According to the Puranas, the daemon king Ravana had brought the Ganges water from Haridwar and offered to Lord Shiva.

Source : babadham.org