Lord Baidyanath adorned by floral ornaments made by prisoners of Deoghar district jail. Picture by Ajay Kumar Mandal

Deoghar, Aug. 9: Mornings in the confines of Deoghar district jail present an unlikely sight.

Life-term inmates Mohan Singh, Shambhu Pandit, Sandip Rana, Hari Kishore Yadav and others, in clean attire, sit cross-legged, making garlands, a crown and other floral ornaments. The object of their tribute? Lord Baidyanath, who decks up in these floral ornaments during the evening’s shringar (decoration) ceremony at Baba Baidyanathdham temple.

Perhaps this is the sole instance in the country where jail inmates prepare floral ornaments for the lord everyday. The exception: every year, on Shravani Purnima or full moon day (due this year on August 24), the deity is decked up in gold ornaments gifted by the ruler of Gidhur estate, Bihar.

Inmates chosen for the job start preparations from dawn. Some assemble in a special ward meant only for making flower ornaments, armed with needles and threads, tools of the craft. Others, in clean attire, pluck flowers from the jail garden. By afternoon, they finish their labour of love and place the ornaments in a basket inside the Shiva temple within the jail premises. In the evening, two constables carry the basket to the Baidyanath temple. Enroute, they wind their way through the streets of the bustling temple town, displaying the ornaments and chanting “Bom Shankar”. People bow their heads and many even drop coins in the basket.

Temple priest Durlav Mishra said the practice has been prevalent since colonial times. “Perhaps the lord gives criminals a chance for penance,” he observed.

“The inmates prepare the lord’s floral ornaments with so much devotion. Most undertake a fast till the job is done,” said C.P. Suman, jailer of Deoghar district jail.

Locals recount an interesting lore — when the son of a British jailer fell ill, inmates suggested that the jailer pray to Baidyanath. As the prayers worked, he started sending bouquets of gratitude to Baidyanath. “It’s a popular story but I can’t confirm any historical evidence or even name the jailer,” said an old-timer.