Located near the quiet shores of Dwarka in Gujarat, the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is one of the legendary temples mentioned in the Shiva Purana where devotees pray to Lord Shiva, revered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Built in the 12th century, by local rulers, this temple, with its red stone spire and calm setting, draws people seeking blessings. If you’re aiming to visit this sacred spot, here’s a plain guide on its story, what it’s like, its prayers, and how to get there.
Fun Fact: The temple’s Shiva linga is said to change warmth with the moon’s phases.
Mythological Importance
According to the Shiv Mahapuraan, Brahma (the Creator) and Vishnu (the Preserver) once had a disagreement about which of them were supreme. To test them, Shiva pierced the three worlds as an immeasurable pillar of light, the Jyotirlinga. Vishnu and Brahma parted company to determine the extent of each end of the pillar. Brahma, who had set off upward, lied that he had discovered the upper end of the pillar, but Vishnu, who had gone in the direction of the base of the pillar, admitted that he had not. Shiva then appeared as a second Jyotirlinga and cursed Brahma, telling him that he would have no place in the ceremonies. The Jyotirlinga is the supreme indivisible reality from which Shiva appears. Jyothirlinga shrines commemorate this time when Shiva appeared. It was believed that there were originally sixty-four jyotirlingas. Twelve are considered to be especially auspicious and holy. Each of the twelve sites takes the name of the presiding deity and each is considered a separate manifestation of Shiva. At all these sites, the primary deity is a lingam representing the beginning less and endless Stambha pillar, symbolizing the Shiva’s infinite nature.
Legend of Nageshwara Jyotirlinga
The Shiva Purana says Nageshvara Jyotirlinga is in ‘the Darukavana’, which is an ancient name of a forest in India. ‘Darukavana’ finds mention in Indian epics, such as Kamyakavana, Dvaitavana, Dandakavana.
A narrative in the Shiva Purana about the Nageshvara Jyotirlinga tells of a demon named Daruk, who attacked a Shiva devotee named Supriya and imprisoned him along with many others in his city of Darukavana, a city under the sea inhabited by sea snakes and demons. At the urgent exhortations of Supriya, the prisoners started to chant the holy mantra of Shiva and immediately thereafter Lord Shiva appeared and the demon was vanquished, later residing there in the form of a Jyotirlinga. The demon had a wife, a demoness named Daruka who worshipped Mata Parvati. As a result of her penance and devotion, Mata Parvati enabled her to master the forest where she performed her devotions, and renamed the forest ‘Darukavana’ in her honour. Wherever Daruka went the forest followed her. In order to save the demons of Darukavana from the punishment of the gods, Daruk summoned up the power Parvati had given her. She then moved the entire forest into the sea where they continued their campaign against the hermits, kidnapping people and keeping them confined in their new lair under the sea, which was how that great Shiva devotee, Supriya, had wound up there.
The arrival of Supriya caused a revolution. He set up a lingam and made the prisoners recite the mantra Om Namaha Shivay in honour of Shiva while he prayed to the lingam. The demons’ response to the chanting was to attempt to kill Supriya, though they were thwarted when Shiva appeared and handed him a divine weapon that saved his life. Daruka and the demons were defeated and Parvati saved the remaining demons. The lingam that Supriya had set up was called Nagesha; it is the tenth lingam. Shiva once again assumed the form of a Jyotirlinga with the name Nageshwar, while the Goddess Parvati was known as Nageshwari. Lord Shiva then announced that he would show the correct path to those who would worship him.
Historical Overview
The physical form of temple’s roots go back to the 12th century, maybe earlier, built by local kings. Dwarka was a holy town, with Shiva worship common. A stone from 1150 marks early work. Islamic invaders destroyed the temple in the 14th century, but devotees rebuilt it. By the 1700s, it was a big pilgrimage site. After 1947, the Gujarat trust took over. Fixes in the 1980s kept its old look. Saints way back told Shiva’s tales, spreading its name.
Architecture of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
Nageshwar Temple sits on 4 acres near the Arabian Sea, built in simple style. The main shrine has a red stone spire with carvings of Shiva’s trident, snakes, and lotus blooms, all in stone. Inside, there’s a black stone Shiva linga, 2 feet tall, set in a silver base, lit by ghee lamps. The inner walls have plain stone slabs with prayers.
The temple has a small hall with 8 pillars, carved with gods and cows. Small shrines for Parvati, Ganesh, and Kartikeya are in the yard, made of stone. The Parvati one shows her seated, for peace. The Ganesh one, from 1300, has him with sweets, for wisdom. The Kartikeya one shows him with a peacock, for might. The grounds, with stone floors, feel holy, near the sea. A water tank for rituals has rough steps. Pillars tell Shiva’s tales, guiding those who pray. The sea’s breeze adds calm.
How to Get There:
Air: Jamnagar Airport, 130 km away, is closest.
Train: Dwarka Station, 15 km away, links to Ahmedabad (8 hours).
Road: Buses from Dwarka (30 minutes) come to Nageshwar.
Best Time to Visit: October to March is cool, 20-30°C. Weekdays are quiet. Maha Shivratri’s busy, so plan early.
Nearby Attractions:
Dwarkadhish Temple, 15 km away, is Krishna’s shrine.
Gomti Ghat, 15 km away, is a holy bath spot.
Rukmini Temple, 17 km away, honors Krishna’s wife.
Bet Dwarka, 45 km away, is Krishna’s island.
Sudama Setu, 18 km away, is a bridge.
Final Thoughts
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Dwarka, Gujarat, a holy spot in western India, is a treasure for the heart. Lord Shiva’s mighty touch reaches all who visit this center of power making it a must visit for any devotees of Lord Shiva.
