Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat, on the route between Dwarka city and Beyt Dwarka island. The Devbhumi Dwarka district website and Incredible India both describe it as enshrining one of the 12 swayambhu (self-existent) jyotirlingas, in an underground sanctum. The district site gives the distance from Dwarka railway station as 16 km. The older text on this page said 17-18 km; check the distance with your driver.
Also Read About 12 Jyotirlingas In India
Also Read About Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple which is also present in Gujarat.
History and Legend
The district website notes that the site was believed to be known as Darukavana, the name of an ancient forest in epic tradition, and that archaeological excavations are said to indicate five earlier cities at the site. Two legends are linked to the temple.
The first, given by Devbhumi Dwarka district, is from the Vamana Purana. A group of dwarf sages, the Balakhilyas, worshipped Shiva in Darukavana. Shiva came to test their devotion as an ascetic wearing only serpents, and the sages’ wives followed him. The angry sages cursed the ascetic to lose his linga, which fell to earth and shook the world. Brahma and Vishnu asked Shiva to take it back, and Shiva promised to remain in Darukavana as a jyotirlinga.
The second, given by Incredible India and Gujarat Tourism, is of the demon Daruka, who imprisoned and tortured a Shiva devotee named Supriya. Her chants of “Om Namaha Shivay” brought Shiva, who defeated the demon and remained here as a self-manifested linga known as Nageshwar.
Architecture and What to See
Incredible India says the temple’s design follows Vaastu Shastra principles and is based on the sleeping (Sayanam) posture of the human body. The sanctum is below ground. The Nageshwar linga is described as sculpted from Dwarka Shila stone, with small chakras, in the form of a Teen Mukhi Rudraksha. Per the Shiva Purana, as cited by Incredible India, worship at this linga gives protection from poisons and snake bites.
A large seated statue of Lord Shiva and a large garden with a pond are the main attractions of the compound. The district website gives the statue as 25 m tall; Incredible India gives 80 feet, which is about the same height.
Temple Timings
6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Timings are not confirmed on an official website; check with the temple before travelling. Gujarat Tourism lists visiting hours only as dawn to dusk.
Best Time and Festival
Gujarat Tourism gives November to February as the best time to visit, and names Shivratri as the festival celebrated here with great fervour. Incredible India also names Maha Shivaratri.
Nearby Places
Incredible India lists these places near the temple: Gopi Talav Tirth, a lake known for its yellow sand called Gopi Chandan; Rukmini Devi Temple; Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Mandir; Gomti Ghat; and Beyt Dwarka.
Hotels
Address
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Daarukavanam, Goriyali, Gujarat 361345
Also Read About Places To Visit in Gujarat
How To Reach
Porbandar (107 km) and Jamnagar (126 km) are the closest airports to Dwarka. The district website names Jamnagar and Porbandar as the airports to land at, followed by road travel.
The nearest station is Dwarka Railway station which is 18 km away from the temple. From the station one can hire auto or cab to reach the temple. The district website gives 16 km by road from the station.
Nageshwar Temple is 18 kms from Dwarka city. The district website says the temple is reached by road along NH 947 and then Nageshwar road, about 16 km.
Porbandar (107 km) and Jamnagar (126 km) are the closest airports to Dwarka.
The nearest station is Dwarka Railway station which is 18 km away from the temple. From the station one can hire auto or cab to reach the temple.
Nageshwar Temple is 18 kms from Dwarka city.
