After Jharkhand High Court declined permission to organise Shravani Mela in Deoghar on the premise of the Baba Baidyanath Dham temple owing to Covid 19; Deoghar district administration has made arrangements of virtual darshan of Lord Shiva for devotees.
This is for the first time in the history of this famous temple when there is a break in the tradition of holding Shravani Mela.
All entry and exit points of Deoghar district have been sealed to prevent entry of devotees and visitors from other districts and states as during Shravani mela as lakhs of devotees turn-up for darshan on a daily basis every year.
A total of 12 checkpoints have been erected in the border area of the district to stop people’s entry. Cops and officials on duty have been instructed to deal with such devotees calmly who knowingly or unknowingly have undertaken pilgrimage.
“There are many people who are aware that this year; due to lockdown any movement, prayer and likes on the temple premise have been prohibited. But they insist that worshipping Lord Shiva is part of their tradition. But, we convinced them due to lockdown they can only afford online darshan. They return after pouring holy water near the checkpoint,” said Deoghar DC Nancy Sahay.
For instance, on Sunday wee-hours around 100 devotees from Bihar and other places resorted to agitation when they were stopped at one of the checkpoints at Bihar Gate in Dumka. But after a few hours they returned after pouring holy water near the checkpoint as part of symbolic prayer.
The DC said district administration has made arrangements for the live telecast of performance of rituals inside the temple of Lord Shiva performed by priests called Pandas every morning and evening.
“We have roped in a couple of news channels for the live telecast besides live feed will be available on jhargov.tv. Only a select number of Pandas and their wives have been allowed to perform prayer. The Morning prayers start at 4.45 AM and continue till 5.30 AM after that Sarkari puja is performed by priests. Similarly in the evening ‘shringar puja’ is held from 7.30 PM till 8.15 PM.
District administration has not put-up TV screens in the adjoining area to avoid gathering of people.
Devotees take holy baths in Shiv Ganga situated close to the temple premise.
“But this year this has been restricted. As per the order of the state government religious places will remain closed till July 31. We have erected five checkpoints around the temple premise to stop anybody sneaking on the temple premise,” she said.
The holy lunar month of Sharavan will end on August 4 when the month of Bhado will begin. But as per the established tradition fair continues till Bhado ends. Bhado will continue till the end of August.
