Deoghar Experience: Having seen enough of luxury destinations and star hotels,we wanted to visit a place which could take us to a proximity to gods,even if it was not to offer us luxuries usually associated with holidays. We chose Deoghar,in Jharkhand,India,wnich is also known as Baidya nath Dham or Baba Dham,meaning the abode of Lord Shiva.It is one of the 12 Jyotir lingas,and Lord Shiva is worshipped here as a Divine Healer.

Food, sight-seeing and shopping: Inspite of being a place of religious pilgrimage, the place has a number of fairly good hotels which offer you comfortable lodging at reasonable rates.On checking in,the first thing to do is to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva. The main temple is located within the city,and you can either walk or take a rickshaw.After that, you must visit the Basukinath temple(about 45 kms.).The next day you can visit the Rikhia Ashram,which is a centre for Yoga and meditation.The other places to visit are the Balanand Ashram, the Naulakha temple,Trikut Dham and Tapovan,the last one being the site where a number of sages had done their Tapasya.

Activities & things to do: Having done your obeisance, you can do a bit of shopping. The Deoghar bazaar is the supply centre to nearby small towns and villages,and you can pick up nice bargains in woollen garments ,bangles,and wood and stone artefacts. You must not forget to buy a few packets of Pedas and tilkuts for which the place is famous.

Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc: The town of Deoghar is approachable from Jasidih railway station,which is a major junction on the Howrah-Delhi route. The Kolkat rajdhani and Poorva Express are the main trains passing through Jasidih.If you choose to go by air,the the choice is between Ranch,Patna and Calcutta,from each of which it is about six hrs. road journey. The trip will rejuvenate you,apart from securing for you the blessings of Lord Shiva( assuming,of course, that you have gone there with a reverential frame of mind).