Basukinath Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Ranchi Airport is the nearest airport to the temple.

• By train

  Jasidih Junction and Jamtara are the nearest railway stations.

• By road

  Buses are the preferred way to travel in the area, run by government agencies and private operators.

Rules to know

• During the opening of the gates, devotees are asked to step away from them, as Shiva and Parvati are believed to meet at that time.

Why devotees come here

Basukinath Temple stands in Dumka district of Jharkhand, about 25 km north-west of Dumka town. The Shiva linga here is self-manifested and is worshipped as Baba Basukinath. Official tourism material calls it one of the oldest temples in Jharkhand.

Devotees tell a legend about the name. The area, then known as Daruk forest, once suffered a drought. A farmer named Basu was a devout follower of Shiva, and his devotion persuaded Shiva to stay in the area and bring rain. The legend says the place is named after him.

Beside the main temple, many small shrines stand across the campus, each dedicated to a different Hindu deity. Inside the temple, shrines to Shiva and Parvati face each other. When the gates open, devotees step back, because Shiva and Parvati are believed to meet at that moment.

Basukinath is one of three major Shiva temples in Bihar and Jharkhand, along with Ajgaibinath and Baidyanath. The temple is one of the oldest in the region. It stands near the village of Jarmundi.

Festivals

• July to AugustShravani Mela

  A famous fair held in the Hindu month of Shravana, between July and August. The temple is crowded at this time.

• Date not stated in the sourcesRam Janki Vivah Utsav

  A festival started in Basukinath by Pandit Nainalal Jha and Baba Basukinath.

Tips for your visit

• Devotees greet each other with the phrase Bam Basuki.
• Vardani Nath, another self-manifested Shiva linga, is 6 km from the temple.

Questions people ask