Deoghar Shiv Baraat: Cybercrime Awareness & Women's Achievements Shine in Mahashivratri Procession

Dumka: Temple town of Deoghar organised a spectacular Shiv Baraat procession on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Sunday, displaying the blending of devotion, art, and social awareness. The annual grand event was attended by two lakh-plus devotees from across the state and the country. This time, it promised unique tableaux highlighting cybercrime prevention and women’s achievements alongside traditional mythology. The procession started from the KKN Stadium around 8 pm and featured hundreds of artists portraying Lord Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, and mythical figures amid chants of ‘Bol Bam’ and ‘Har Har Mahadev’. A standout attraction was the ‘Hacker Daitya’ (cyber monster) tableau made by local artist Markandeya Jajbare, who led Shiva-Baraat decorations since 1994, raising awareness against the growing cyber fraud in Santhal Pargana. Deoghar, home to the Baidyanath Dham temple, one of the Dwadash Jyotirlingas, earned the disrepute of being the hub of cybercriminals after Jamtara. Another highlight is the Indian women cricket team’s World Cup success, reflecting societal progress through this 32-year-old tradition.