Nestled on a gentle hill in Hingoli district, Maharashtra, the Aundha Nagnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Nagnath. Located about 3 km from Aundha village, its ancient sanctum, intricate stone carvings, and divine presence draw devotees and pilgrims from across the country. Revered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the temple holds a special place in Shaivism, radiating spiritual energy. If you’re eager to visit this sacred abode, here’s a detailed guide on its significance, architecture, rituals, and travel tips for your journey.
Fun Fact: The temple is called “Nagnath” because locals believe Shiva appeared as a serpent (Naga) to protect devotees from evil.
Mythological Importance
The Aundha Nagnath Temple carries ancient legends. One tale speaks of a sage named Aundha, who meditated on this hill, seeking Lord Shiva’s blessings to save his people from a demon’s curse. Shiva appeared as a radiant Jyotirlinga, slaying the demon and granting peace. Another story tells of the Pandavas, who worshipped here during their exile, discovering the lingam hidden in a cave. Local belief holds that the hill’s stones pulse with divine power, offering protection and courage. This makes the temple a key Jyotirlinga shrine, tied to Shiva’s protective grace.
Historical Overview
The temple began in the 9th century, under the Rashtrakuta dynasty, though some say worship started earlier. Aundha, 50 km from Nanded, was a sacred spot, as old texts reveal. A stone inscription from 870 CE near the hill mentions a holy lingam, but the temple grew with Rashtrakuta kings. In the 12th century, Yadava rulers added stone arches, as carvings show. The 1600s saw local chiefs build a courtyard, making it a bustling pilgrimage place, Hingoli records note. In the 1800s, Maratha rulers gifted silver lamps, and prayers continued. After 1947, Maharashtra’s leaders took over, and the Endowments Department now cares for it. From 2014 to 2020, repairs added new paths while keeping the old sanctum. Marathi hymns by saints like Eknath, who sang of Shiva, spread its name. Today, it stands as a beacon of faith, calling thousands to Hingoli’s hill.
Architecture of Aundha Nagnath Temple
The Aundha Nagnath Temple, covering 2 acres, blends Hemadpanthi and Yadava styles, rooted in the hill’s rugged charm. The shikhara, rebuilt in 1700, rises high with stone carvings of Shiva with his serpent, Nandi with a bell, and sages praying, painted in cream and ochre. A stone gate with vine motifs leads to the sanctum, where the Shiva lingam, 3 feet tall, rests under a plain vimana, its stepped roof showing purity. The sanctum’s basalt walls, worn by time, hold faint Yadava etchings of Shiva’s battles, lit by ghee lamps.
Carvings on pillars and walls tell Shiva’s tales—his fight with demons, his calm meditative form, and his bond with Parvati—etched to guide devotees. The 2018 repairs added firm paths but kept the hill’s wild, holy feel, making it a quiet place for prayer.
Perched on a hill, the temple is reached by 150 stone steps from Aundha village, worn by pilgrims over centuries. The steps pass rocks with old Shiva carvings, some hidden in stone, others open to the sky. The hilltop courtyard, paved with rough basalt, feels sacred, shaded by neem and banyan trees. A stone tank, fed by a hill spring, is used for ritual baths, its edges carved with serpent shapes, a Hemadpanthi touch. The temple’s low walls, made of plain stone, have niches for Naga figures, said to guard the grounds.
Small shrines for Parvati, Ganesha, and Kartikeya are scattered around the complex, carved from local granite with open stone covers. The Parvati shrine, from 1100 CE, shows her with a lotus, granting love. The Ganesha shrine, by the courtyard, depicts him with a modak, calling for wisdom. The Kartikeya shrine, near the steps, shows him with a peacock, carved in valor. These shrines, though simple, join the temple’s worship, offering paths to devotion.
Rituals and Festivals
Mahashivratri, in February or March, is the definitely the biggest festival celebrated in the temple, honoring Shiva with Jal Abhishekam and lamp processions. Shravan Maas, in July or August, has Milk Abhishekam for purification. Deepavali, in October or November, sees lamp-lighting by the tank. Daily worship includes Suprabhata Seva (morning prayers), Archana (offerings), and Sandhya Aarti (lamp ritual). Services like Rudra Homam and Panchamrit Puja can be booked at the temple office. A prasad stall gives free coconut sweets to devotees. Bilva Archana, offering bilva leaves on Mondays, is for peace and strength.
How to Get There:
Air: Aurangabad Airport, 150 km away, is nearest. Taxis take 3 hours, costing ₹2000-3000.
Train: Parbhani Railway Station, 40 km away, links to Mumbai (8 hours) and Hyderabad (6 hours). Autos to the temple cost ₹150-200.
Road: Aundha is 50 km from Nanded. Buses from Nanded Bus Stand (1 hour) cost ₹50; autos from Aundha village cost ₹20-40.
Best Time to Visit: October to March has cool weather, 20-30°C. Weekdays are calm. Mahashivratri brings crowds, so book early.
Nearby Attractions: Nanded’s Hazur Sahib Gurudwara, 50 km away, is a Sikh pilgrimage site. Parbhani’s Shirdi Sai Temple, 40 km away, draws devotees. Lonar Crater Lake, 120 km away, is a natural wonder.
