Nageshwar Temple is another important Jyotirlinga temple, one that is set amidst the stunning natural beauty of Deodar Forests and is located between Bait Dwaraka and Gomti Dwaraka island in Daarukavanam village, Devbhumi Dwarika district. It is also called the Nagnath temple and the presiding diety protects all who worship from the effect of poisons of all types. Those who pray here hence become free from the effects of any type of poison.
In the Rudra Samhita Shloka, the power of this deity is referred to by the words Daarukaavane Naagesham. A Jyotirlinga Temple is one in which Lord Shiva manifests himself as a form of light and those who visit all the 12 Jyotirlinga temples are free from the cycle of life and death. This particular Jyotirlinga temple symbolizes the triumph of good over evil forces.
This temple is simply transformed during festivals and celebrations wherein thousands of people throng and turn into a sea of devotees each vying to get a glimpse of the lord. Historically important and spiritually very powerful due to its effects of removing poisonous effects, this is a place where devotees can experience immense spiritual bliss. The Nageshwar temple is an immense attraction to Shiva devotees who come ehre from not only all corners of the country but also the world. Varios rituals denotes the spiritual power and Inside the finely carved statues of Lord Shiva is impressive stand tall at a height of 25 meters and it is said those who worship the Lord here will get his blessings to be set onto the right path. Another key aspect about this lingam is that is made from stone that is called the Dwaraka stone. It is also shaped in the form of a three faced Rudrahsha. During Shivratri, this places is filled with thousands of devotees who throng here to worship the Lord and convert the ambiance into one of celebration and joy.
The key religious significance of this temple is the belief that Lord Krishna performed a Rudrabhishekam here and pleased Lord Shiva. It is also in this place that Lord Shankaracharya put down the foundation for his Western Math. When a devotee is praying to the Shiva Linga here, he also offers prayers to the Sun God, which is yet another unique aspect about this temple.
Thousands throng to this temple during Shivratri, Navratri and other festivals. The spiritual bliss that devotees gain by coming here is like none other, making the want to visit the temple again and again. Such is the significance of this temple that it attracts thousands to devotees all round the year. People come here from different corners of the country and it also gets devotees from abroad, who throng to gain more spiritual bliss and blessings. Shiva devotees seeking the Lord blessings certainly must visit this temple, owing to its spiritual significance and how much it offers spiritual power to those who seek the Lord blessings to remove sins.
An interesting aspect of this temple is that the Linga can be seen facing south. There is an interesting legend behind it. Namdev an ardent devotee was singing bhajans before the Lord, but when doing so other devotees asked him to stand aside. Namdev asked them to take him into that direction where the Lord did not exist. The other devotees got angry and took him to the south side, leaving him there. When they returned they found the Shiva Linga facing south now, while the Gomugham was in the east direction and this is the way it is till today.
Architecture of Nageshwar Temple
When you step inside this magnificent Jyorirlinga temple, you can experience immense architectural beauty. It is simply a mesmerizing place, with such a large number of carvings and sculptures. An immensely beautiful temple, you simply cannot help but wonder at the building style, construction and other key features, which showcase the best masonry and sculpting work. Mason worked painstakingly to create an immense structure that is both eligiously significant, spiritually pwoerful and reflective of traditonal building designing and style.
This temple is constructed according to Vaastu Shastra, which implies that it follows ancient rules of temple design. Accordingly, it is based on the human body posture of Sayanam, Hnece the Mahadwar or temple entrance is the feet, entrance porch which is flanked by the Idols of Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanuman symbolize the hands, Sabha Mandapa which has prayer seats is the chest and abdomen and the Garba Griha or Sanctum Sanctorium is the head.
The distinct aspects about the temple are its arches and columns which are shaped in the form of a flute. Lotus themes on the exterior capitals of the walls and railings made from pure marble., which gives a very spectacular apperance. You can see the Kalash and Swastik being used throughout the place, symbolizing Indian tradition, culture and spirituality.
The temple actually gently slopes towards the Lake Nageshwar, which is yet another special aspect about it. Inside it, you can see all the internal elements dispersed across three different levels, first being the Garbagriha which is 6 inches below the ground level.. Next comes the Rangamandapa, which is two inches above the ground level and then the Antarala which lies somewhere in between the two and its guars the Shiva Linga in the garbagriha.
The entire structure is made rom reinforced concrete cement, which has anti chemical coatings. It also has porous and lightweight Porbandar stone on the structure, which adds to its strength and durability to withstand various climatic changes.
The particularly beautiful architecture of this temple symbolizes how much of thought has been put into building it and how it was built after so much of meticulous planning. Such is the immense carvings and relief work that you will be left stunned at how ancient mason and builders worked to make it look so lovely and elegant.
History of Nageshwar Jyotirling
According to ancient Hindu texts, there was once a demon named Daruk who inhabited the forested area of the temple with his wife. As he had aboons from Lord Shiva’s wife Parvati, he used it to unleash his power on others and started wreaking havoc during festivities and rituals. He went on to capture Supriya, a Shiva devotee and sent him into a dungeon along with others. Despite his difficulty, Supriya never lost faith in Lord Shiva and continued with doing the Shiva puja, wore holy ash and also the Rudraksha. He would utter the Om Namah Shivay Shiva Mantra all the time. Due to his utter devotion, Lord Shiva appeared in the dungeon to him, vanquished the demons and from then on the Jyotirlinga was established here.
In other Hindu texts, it is stated that the origin of this place goes back to the time of the Pandavas. Bhima saw a river filled with cream, milk and right in the middle of it was a Swayambhu (self-manifested) Lingam and the temple was built on this spot.
There is such a huge prayer halls where you can sit down, pray, meditate and take in the immense spiritual power of this majestic Shiva Linga. Study of this structure shows the implicit trust that temple builder placed in the principles of Vaastu Shastra. Lovely, beautiful and divine are the words that best describe this temple, making it to be a spot of immense beauty and spectacular spirituality.
Nageshwar Temple Facts
- It aids that those who worship the linga here will be free from all types of poisons and is specifically worshipped for this purpose
- Name of the presiding deity is Nageshwar Mahadev and his statue is a resplendent 80 feet tall one
- Entry fees is nil and temple is open from 5 am in the morning till 9 pm in the evening
- It is in this temple that Lord Krishna performed the Rudrabhishekam and please Lord Shiva
- Lord Shankaracharya Kalika Peetha set he foundation here for his western math at
- It is the first Jyotirlinga on earth and here the Lingam faces south while the Gomugham faces east
- Two temples which are identical to it are the Almora, Uttarakhand and the Nagnath temple, Maharashtra
- It is said in the Shiva purana that those who read about this temple’s birth with devotion and also understands the greatness of this Shiv Linga will gain all peace, prosperity and high elevation in life
- The Shivlinga is in the shape of 3 Mukhi Rudraksha and is made from a stone known as Dwaraka shila
How to Reach Nageshwar
Dwaraka is well connected to various key cities in Gujarat and other cites in states close by through a network of road, trains and air service.
Air – Reach the Jamnagar airport and then connect to the temple via bus or taxi from Dwaraka city
Rail – Reach Dwaraka or Veraval station and arrive at the temple via taxi or bus from any of these stations
Road - Daarukavanam village can be reached via bus transport or taxi from Dwaraka or Veraval city.
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