Basant Panchami on January 23 lights up India with Saraswati puja, but Deoghar’s Baidyanath Temple scripts a different narrative: a lively invitation to Lord Shiva’s wedding procession. This Tilakotsav ritual, the first step in Baba’s nuptial ceremonies, transforms the Jyotirlinga into a hub of matrimonial merriment, drawing fervent crowds until Shivratri.
Among the 12 Jyotirlingas, Baidyanath shines for its mystical aura and massive pilgrim influx, particularly in monsoon and Shivratri seasons. Mithilanchal women, viewing themselves as Parvati’s maternal side, lead the charge on this day. Laden with mithai, blooms, and malas, they converge to extend the baraat niyat— a custom rooted in antiquity.
The sequence is poetic: initial aarti and decoration with verdant bel and petals. Bhog of til-laddoos, ghee, dhana bali, and kumkum follows in the inner sanctum. Women, central to the rite, apply the tilak amid devotional songs. From Treta-era rishis to modern bhakts embracing the tilakharu identity, the tradition thrives unbroken on every Magha Panchami.
Legends whisper of Sati’s heart descending here, dubbing it the divine lovers’ tryst. As the wish-granting lingam, it fulfills vows yearly for lakhs. This year’s Tilakotsav promises spectacle—vibrant gatherings, sacred offerings, and communal joy—heralding a month of spiritual highs and reinforcing Baidyanath’s timeless pull on the faithful.