Nageshwar Jyotirlinga also known as Nagnath Temple, is located at Nageshwar village in Dwarka in the state of Gujarat. This distinctive temple is located on the roadway between Gomati Dwarka city and Beyt Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra. It is one of the revered Dwadasha Jyotirlingas, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Nageshwar Mahadev is worshiped in the form of Shivalinga. The Sanskrit word Nageshwar means “Lord of Snakes”.
The elegant temple enshrines the Jyotirlinga in a unique underground garbha griha. According to Rudra Samhita, Nageshwar is referred as “Darukavana Nageshwaram“, having immense power to protect the devotees from all kinds of poisons, especially snake venom, and also liberates the person from worldly desires. This prominent Jyotirlinga was even worshiped by Lord Sri Krishna who also performed Rudrabhisheka.
Shivalinga at Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is made of a stone called Dwarka Shila, with little chakras or small circular designs on it. It is in the shape of a tri-mukhi Rudraksha. This temple is unique in the sense that the Shiva Lingam faces south while the Gomukham faces east. At Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, one can also find goddess Parvati as Nageshwari along with the Shivalinga.
Vedic History of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
According to the Shiva Purana, there were two demons, Daruka and Daruki, who lived in the forest named Darukavanam. Daruka performed severe penance and pleased Parvati Devi. Blessed by Parvati Devi, he became very arrogant and started troubling the local people and destroying the yagnas performed by sages.
He abducted the great devotee of Lord Shiva named Supriya and imprisoned her in the dungeon. This didn’t stop her devotion to Lord Shiva; she started chanting the Panchakshari mantra “om namah shivaya” in the prison and asked her fellow inmates to also follow the same, so that they would be protected by Lord Shiva.
When the Demon Daruka heard about this, he got enraged and was about to kill Supriya. Lord Shiva appeared and saved her and the fellow inmates. However, he didn’t kill Daruka since he had received a boon from Parvati Devi. Lord Shiva promised to protect Supriya and the people of Dwarka. Thus, he is worshiped in the form of Shiva Linga as Nageshwar and Parvati Devi as Nageshwari.
Architecture of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga in Dwarka, Gujarat, stands as a majestic corroboration of the brilliance of Indian temple architecture. The temple is a traditional Meru style of architecture which is common in Shiva’s temple in India. The temple has got the ardha mantapa, vimana mantapa and garbha griha. It has been renovated recently with modern techniques, retaining the style of ancient architecture.
The huge 80-foot statue of Lord Shiva in a sitting posture with a serene pond behind it is the major attraction of this site.
Places to Visit Nearby Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
Dwarka: It is the kingdom of Lord Sri Krishna. Dwarkadhish Temple, also known as Jagat Mandir, is dedicated to Lord Krishna is the famous temple of this place.
Bet Dwarka: This is an island in the Gulf of Kutch. It is the original place where Lord Sri Krishna lived with his family. It is accessible by boat from Okha.
Gopi Talav Tirtha: Also known as Gopi Lake, Goprachar Tirtha, is located 20 kms away from Dwarka. This lake is associated with the leelas of Krishna and gopis. After the last raas leelas, gopis gave up their lives and attained moksha.
Somnath: It is one of ancient sacred town located in Saurashtra, Gujarat. This place is very famous for Somnath Jyotirlinga.
Temple Timings of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
The darshan timings of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga are as follows:
Morning – 5:30 am to 1:30 pm
Evening – 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Best time to visit Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
November to February is the best time to visit the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, and the festival of Shivaratri is celebrated with great fervor.
Rituals of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
Mangala Aarti: The Mangala Aarti is performed at the beginning of the day offering prayers and Vedic mantras to Nageshwar Jyotirlinga to invoke the blissful grace and make the whole day positive.
Shringar Puja: Lord Nageshwar is adorned with various sacred items like flowers, sandalwood paste, and holy ash with utmost devotion. It is accompanied by the chanting of Vedic mantras.
Bilva Archana: The bilva leaves offered in the worship of Lord Shiva is considered highly auspicious. Devotees perform Bilva Archana to seek the Lord’s blessings as a way of expressing their gratitude.
Rudrabhishek: Divine abhishek is done to Lord Shiva by pouring various substances like milk, curd, water, honey, ghee etc. 108 names of Lord Shiva are also chanted during the abhishek to rid oneself of sins and bless one with prosperity and good health.
Evening Aarti: The evening aarti is a spiritual pageant witnessed by devotees. It is distinguished by the lighting of lamps, performing aarti, ringing of bells, and singing of devotional songs.
Festivals of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
Maha Shivaratri: This festival is celebrated in the month of February-March. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm, zeal, and devotion. The temple witnesses a huge number of pilgrims. They engage in long-night prayers, sing bhajans, fast and perform other special rituals.
Kartik Purnima: This falls on Purnima in the Hindu month of Kartik is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Pilgrims take a holy dip in the Gomti River and then worship Nageshwar Jyotirlinga.
Shravana Mas: The month of Shravana is considered very auspicious for Lord Shiva. Every Monday in the month of Shravana is considered a very divine day. Devotees observe fasts, visit temples, offer prayers, flowers, and meditate to seek the blessings of Nageshwar. Devotees pray for the overall well-being of their families.
How to Reach Nageshwar Jyotirlinga?
If you plan to visit the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Dwarka and other sacred places, consider taking Tirtha Yatra’s Pancha Dwarka Yatra. All arrangements are well taken care of.
If you prefer to travel by yourself, here are few options.
By Air: The nearest airports are Porbandar Airport and Jamnagar Airport, which are the closest airports to Dwarka. You can reach the temple by taking private taxi or bus.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Dwarka Railway Station which is 18 Kms. After getting off the train, you can easily go to the temple by taking an auto, cab, or bus.
By Road: From Dwarka city, the Nageshwar Temple is 18 Kms. From here, you can travel by car, taxi, or bus.
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2 Comments On Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Dwarka
Shivakumar Sunderesh
Surprising. Both Gujarat and Maharashtra claim that Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is in their state. Whereas Naganath is in Aund in Maharashtra, Nageshwar is claimed to be near Dwaraka.
Likewise Vaijanath is in Parli, Maharashtra, one more Jyotirlinga with a similar name is said to exist in Bihar /Jharkhand.
Religious experts / historians should clarify
It is already clarified and established that the original jyotirlingas are in Dwarka and Parli near Deogarh respectively. The ones in Maharashtra are just their expansions.