- Wed, 8 Sep, 2010, 12:28 pm -

- P. Vijay Raghavan -
Ranchi/Deoghar : Jharkhand , a State surrounded by jungles and mountains, offers a treat to all the tourists with its rich abundance of water falls, heritage temples, forest resorts and a deep cultural heritage. In a country where religious considerations are given top most priority, the people are seen to be manifesting a tireless zeal for pursuing their religious urge, for attaining peace – their ultimate goal. Jharkhand’s religious city Deoghar becomes the hub for devotees during the ‘Shravan’ ( hindu ) month.

Amongst the twelve ‘Jyotirlinga’ in the country, Deoghar’s Ravaneshwara Baidyanath Dham has a special significance. Millions of devotees clad in saffron clothes, undertake a arduous pilgrimage journey, commencing from Sultanganj in Bihar, from where they collect the holy water from the Ganges river, known as the Uttarvahini Ganga, then proceed on a non stop march of 100 kilometers to Deoghar, for offering the same to the shrine of lord Shiva at the main temple. This continues for the whole of Shravan month. The whole of Deogarh turns saffron with an ocean of people thronging the city in every nook and corner. This is also called Jharkhand’s ‘Mahakumbha’.

About 18 Kms from Deoghar enroute to the famous Basukinath temple is the enchanting Trikut mountains. The mountain having a mythological significance, offers a breath taking spectacle to one and all. For enabling the tourists to reach the summit of the mountain, the State’s Tourism department has built a ropeway of nearly 2500 ft, considered as the longest twin tower in the country, and traveling in that, is an experience, one would cherish for a life time. The eight minute 845 meter climb, leaves one breathless as the ropeway slowly carts you to the summit. The aerial view of the city and landscape is treat to the eyes.

Trikut mountain, according to Hindu mythology, is the place where Ravana prayed for attaining ‘Shiva’. He undertook extreme penance and the lord answered his prayers. The cave in which he performed his penance is still there for all to cherish. Even the solid rock platform on which he sat for the penance is also intact. Entering the cave itself is a tedious and precarious journey through thick bushes, slit openings between huge boulders of rock, a steep climb down from the slippery rocky hills and the narrow passage to the entrance. Once you enter the cave all the tiredness vanishes and you get transported into a dream mythological era, imagining and visualizing Ravana doing his penance. One is overawed-to say the least. Regaining your breath, the arduous return journey to the summit begins. Before that, you have just embossed the most exhilarating experience of your life time in your memory.

On the way back, one gets to see the site used as a ‘helipad’ supposedly by Ravana for his ‘Pushpak Viman’. After abducting Sita, Ravana had made a stop here on way to Lanka. The entire area has the aroma of herbal plants, leaves and flowers engulfing it. One feels rejuvenated but feels the sorrow of having to leave the place. For two hours you are in a different world altogether and the determination to return soon.