Deoghar buzzes with anticipation for Basant Panchami’s Tilak Utsav at Baba Baidyanath, as a massive influx from Mithilanchal creates an unforgettable spectacle of devotion. Jyotirlinga precincts overflow with ‘Baba ki jai’ echoes.
Nationwide Saraswati adoration on Friday pales against Deoghar’s spectacle: tilak, abhishek, then abeer-gulal jubilation—a fusion of piety and Mithila’s traditions.
Crowds build early each year; 2 lakh projected now. Mythology fuels it: Parvati’s Himalayan roots make Shiva Mithila’s damad. From Bihar’s plains to Nepal, lakhs trek for pre-Shivratri tilak and Ganga offerings.
Over 100,000 from Darbhanga, Purnea, Koshi, Munger, etc., shun lodgings for roadside camps, per cultural etiquette. Kanwariyas dominate, walking 108 km from Sultanganj amid festive songs.
Day’s rites: jalarpan, crop sheaf, ghee prasad—Holi’s prelude in Mithilanchal. Phulel, shringar, Lakshmi Narayan tilak set the stage for Mahashivratri nuptials.
Admin gears up: DC enforces security, cleanliness, facilities. VIP bans; pricier coupons only. This is faith in motion.