The Nagnath Temple lies between Gomati Dwarka and the Beyt Dwarka Island on the Saurashtra coast in Gujarat. It is known as Nageshwar Temple, one of Shiva’s famous 12 Jyotirlinga temples. Nageshwar Mahadev is the name of the celestial jyotirlinga name, the presiding deity. Thousands of pilgrims visit the temple every year.
Legend of the Nageshwar Temple
There are many legends regarding the world-famous Jyotirlinga temple, but the most popular one revolves around naming Darukavanam and establishing Nageshwar.
A demon, Daruk, once lived in a forest with his wife, Daruka. Due to his exclusive boons from Parvati, he was arrogant and stubborn. Both started destroying Hindu festivities. He even captured Supriya, an ardent devotee of Shiva and many others, and imprisoned them.
However, Supriya continued Shiva Poojas every day and applied the holy ash. She also donned Rudraksha and uttered the Shiva Mantra. He was pleased seeing her devotion and appeared at the place. There was how a divine Jyotirlinga got established. Shiva defeated the demons, and the place became famous as Darukavanam, while Linga came to be known as Naganath.
Another legend dates back to the Pandava brothers, Dwapar Yuga. Bhima, the strongest of the five Pandava siblings, saw a river full of cream and milk. He and his brothers found a Swayambhu (self-manifested) Lingam in the middle of it. It is the exact spot where now the Jyotirlinga Nageshwar temple is present.
The Architecture of the Nageshwar Temple
The Hindu style of architecture adorns the temple. An 80-foot height statue of Shiva is the highlight of the temple. This temple is believed to be the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. It is completely designed on the Vaastu Shastra principles and planned on the human body’s Sayanam (sleeping) posture. The temple is divided into five main parts.
The main gate is Mahadwar (feet), where devotees enter the temple. The entrance Porch (hands) lies between the two sacred idols of Ganesh and Hanuman. Sabha Mandap (abdomen and chest), the main prayer hall, comprises prayer seats. In the Antarala, an antechamber between the Sanctum Sanctorum and the Mandap, pilgrims can worship Nandi, the divine vehicle of Shiva. The sanctorum, Garbhagriha (head), houses the main deity, Shiva Linga. The Lingam is made up of a unique stone called Dwarka Shila. It has small chakras and the shape of a three-mukhi Rudraksha. The temple faces south, and the Gomugam faces east.
The temple stands at a 110-foot height. Many stunning structures like arches, lotus-themed capitals, pure marble jail rooms, and cylindrical flute-shaped columns grace the sacred palace. The paintings of Swastik and Mount Kailash on the temple walls are drawn beautifully. The temple has three levels. The first level is six inches below the ground, called Garbhagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum); the second level Ranga Mandap is two inches above the ground. The last level is Antarla, which guards the sanctorum. It is said to be a transition platform between Shiva and his devotees.
Festivals in the Nageshwar Temple
Maha Shivaratri, Navratri, Pradosh Vrat (twice a month), Shravan Maas (the holy month of Shiva), and other Hindu festivities are grandly celebrated here.
The Benefits of Worshipping at Nageshwar Temple
Devotees believe that worshipping the Jyotirlinga in the Nageshwar Temple protects them from all kinds of poisons. There is a belief that people who offer prayers here become poison free.
How to Reach Nageshwar Temple
• By Road: The Dwarka Bus Stand is the nearest to this famous Jyotirlinga temple. It is at a 5 km distance.
• By Rail: The Dwarka Railway Station, 15 km from the temple, is the nearest railway station.
• By Air: The Porbandar Airport, Gujarat, is the nearest airport. It lies 116 km away from the temple.
Nageshwar Temple Timings
The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple remains open from 6.00 to 12.30 pm and 5.00 pm to 9.30 pm.
