Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple – Important Information
Temple / Deity | Nageshwar Mahadev (Lord Shiva) |
Type of Deity | Jyotirlinga |
Address | Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, District – Devbhumi Dwarka, Gujarat – 361335 |
Darshan Timings | 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM (All days of the week) |
Poojas / Rituals | Rudrabhisek, Laghurudrabhisek |
Best Time to Visit | March to October |
Festivals | Shravan and Maha Shivratri |
Nearest Airport | The nearest airport is Jamnagar Airport, located around 137 km away, and Porbandar Airport located around 107 km away from Dwarka. |
Nearest Railway Station | The nearest railway station is Dwarka railway station. |
Nearest Bus Stand | The nearest bus stand in Dwarka and Dwarka to Nageshwar Jyotirlinga distance is 18 Km. |
Nageshwar Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India and is situated in Dwarka. It is located on the route between Gomati Dwarka and Bait Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga temple is also known by different names, such as Nagnath Temple, Nageshwar Mahadev Temple, and Nageshvara Temple.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga | Nageshwar Mahadev
The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is an oval Rudraksha shape with three faces. Rudraksha is also known as Lord Shiva’s tears. The Nageshwar Temple is unique in that this mighty Jyotirlinga protects devotees from all types of poisons. Devotees believe that those who pray to Lord Nageshwar become free of poison, i.e., negativities.
Nageshwar Mahadev Sivalingam faces south, while the Gomugam faces east. There is a background to this position. Once, there was a devotee named Naamdev. He was a saint who dedicated songs to Lord Shiva.
When he was singing bhajans in front of the Lord one day, the other devotees requested him to step aside so as not to hide the Lord. In response, Naamdev urged them to point out one direction where the Lord did not exist so that he might stand there. Angry devotees carried him and left him in the south. They were astounded to find that the Linga was now facing south and the Gomugam was facing east.
Legends Of Nageshwar Mahadev Jyotirlinga
As per the Shiva Puran, Nageshwar is believed to be in the “Darukavana,” an ancient forest in India. The legend dates back thousands of years ago to a demon couple called Daruka and Daruki, after whom Darukavana was named (it eventually came to be known as Dwarka).
The demon Daruka, a staunch devotee of Goddess Parvati, once captured a Shiva devotee, Supriya, and imprisoned him along with the others in his capital, Darukavana. Supriya urged all prisoners to recite Om Namaha Shivay, the holy mantra for Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva, pleased by the devotion, manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga from the earth. Though he could not kill the demon blessed by Mata Parvati, he assured Supriya and the other devotees that he would protect them in the form of a linga. This jyotirlinga came to be worshipped as Nageshwara form of Lord Shiva.
Another, less popular legend links the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga to the Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata. Bhima, the strongest of the five Pandavas, found a river flowing full of cream and milk with a Swayambhu (self-manifested) lingam in the middle of it. It is believed that the Nageshwar Temple is built on the exact spot.
Architecture Of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is planned on the Sayanam (sleeping) posture of the human body. It is divided into 5 main parts/portions:
- Mahadwar (feet): the main gate to the temple, devotees enter through the feet
- Entrance Porch (hands): it falls between the two sacred idols of Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesh symbolizing the two hands
- Sabha Mandapa (abdomen and chest): The main prayer hall comprising prayer seats are believed to symbolize the human abdomen and chest
- Antarala: This is the worship place of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s vehicle
- Garbhagriha (head): Housing the main Shiva Linga, the garbagriha is the head in the human body.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Poojas
There are several poojas that are conducted at the Nageshwar Temple.
- Rudrabhishek: This Abhishek involves the recitation of various mantras and shlokas as well as the use of Panchamrit (Milk, Ghee, Honey, Curd, and Sugar). When Shiva is in his Rudra Avatar (angry form), this puja is believed to be performed. The Shiva Linga is washed with water that is constantly poured over it through a vessel (Dudhabhishek).
- Laghurudra Pooja: This Abhishek is performed to resolve health and wealth issues. It also eliminates the negative impacts of planets in the horoscope.
Nageshwar Temple Timings
The temple opens on all days of the week at 6 AM and closes at 9:30 PM. Darshan is between 6 AM to 12:20 PM and 5 PM to 9 PM. During this time, the temple also performs different rituals. Devotees are welcome to take part in these rituals, which include morning, afternoon, and evening poojas and aarti.
Rituals | From | To |
Darshan / Pooja | 6 AM | 9 PM |
Shringar Darshan | 4 PM | 4:30 PM |
Shayan Aarti | 7 PM | 7:30 PM |
Nightly Aarti | 9 PM | 9:30 PM |
Best Time to Visit Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
The best time to visit the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is during the winter season, from October to March. The pleasant weather during these months ensures that the devotees do not face much difficulty due to the crowd while standing in the (sometimes) long line for a glimpse of the Shiva Linga.
Those who do not mind the huge crowds should visit Nageshwar temple during the Maha Shivaratri festival to experience the festive and spiritual aura of the temple at its highest.
Festivals Celebrated At Nageshwar Temple
Some of the festivals celebrated at Nageshwar Temple are:
- Mahashivaratri: Mahasivaratri is celebrated in February or March as per the Hindu calendar and tithi. It is believed that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on this day. The day is famous for rigorous poojas, bhajans, and abhishekam. The devotees decorate the linga with flowers and conduct the Abhishek with milk. Thousands of people visit the temple during this festival.
- Shravan month: Shravan Maas falls on the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, starting late July and ending by the third week of August. The Rudra Mantra is chanted in the temple during all the Shravan Maas.
Things to Do and See in Dwarka | Places Near Nageswar Temple
- Visit the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the most famous holy places in Dwarka, Gujrat. Perform poojas and Rudra Abhishek.
- See the 25-meter (80 feet) tall statue of Lord Shiva within the temple campus, the large garden, and unobstructed views of the Arabian sea.
- Visit Dwarkasish temple. Dwarkadhish to Nageshwar jyotirlinga distance is only 17 km. Shree Dwarkadish Temple is also known as the Jagat Mandir and this temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna also known as the “King of Dwarka”. It consists of 5 storied buildings, with 72 pillars and this temple is about 2,200 years old.
- Visit Gomti Ghat Temples. The Gomati Ghat in Gujarat has plentiful temples that are devoted to Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, Lord Shiva, and Sudama, who was Lord Krishna’s closest friend. The temples around this ghat present an amazing view of River Gomati. The Ghat Temples are just at the entrance of the Dwarkadhish temple.
- Visit Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple. It is located at a distance of 18.2 km from Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, the temple is dedicated to Lord Chandra Mouliswar Shiva. The temple is on the hillock on the sea. During high tide, water surrounds the temple and a fair takes place here every year on the day of Mahashivratri.
- Visit Rukmini Mandir. Rukmini Mandir is an important place of pilgrimage and is dedicated to the most adored consort of Krishna, Devi Rukmini. This temple is located in the main city of Dwarka.
How To Reach Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is located on the route between Gomati Dwarka and the Bait Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. To reach the temple, first, reach Dwarka by air or train.
- By Air: The nearest airport is Jamnagar Airport, located around 137km away from Dwarka. The Jamnagar Airport is connected to Mumbai by regular flights. The distance between the airport and Dwarka can be covered in a taxi, which usually costs INR 2000 approximately.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Dwarka railway station, which is connected to different parts of the country by daily regular trains. Some trains even connect the way down to the south through Vadodara, Surat, Mumbai, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala.
- By Road: There are direct buses available from Jamnagar and Ahmedabad to Dwarka, and Dwarka to Nageshwar Jyotirlinga distance is 18 Km (25 minutes drive). Auto-rickshaws and Taxis are easily available from Dwarka.
Where To Stay In Nageshwar Dham
There are plenty of accommodation options available, ranging from luxury hotels to budget rooms. All the hotels are well-furnished and laced with modern amenities. The hotels also offer express check-in and check-out, high-speed Internet, Wi-Fi, and airport & railway pickup. The names of a few of them are:
- Hotel Guruprerna
- Hotel Parth Inn
- Hotel Dwarka Residency
- Lemon Tree Premier
- Hotel Holiston
- Hotel Damji
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple Contact Details
Address: Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, District – Devbhumi Dwarka, Gujarat 361335
Official Website: https://devbhumidwarka.nic.in/tourist-place/nageshwar-temple/
Location of Google Maps: Shri Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
FAQ About Nageshvar Jyotirlinga Temple
1. How much is Somnath to Nageshwar Jyotirlinga distance?
Somnath to Nageshwar Jyotirlinga distance is approx 250 km. It takes around 4 to 5 hours by road to reach Somnath Jyotirlinga from Nageshwar temple.
2. How much is Dwarka to Nageshwar Jyotirlinga distance?
Dwarka to Nageshwar Jyotirlinga distance is 18 Km (25 minutes drive)
3. How to reach Nageshwar Jyotirlinga from Dwarka?
By Road Nageshwar Temple is around 18 km from Dwarka city. You can take an auto or taxi to get there.
4. Can I touch Nageshwar Jyotirlinga during prayer?
Yes, it is open during the time mentioned in this post.
5. How much time it takes for Darshan of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga?
It is crowded most of the days. But it will take 30 to 40 minutes to complete the Darshan & come out of the temple. In festival season it may take longer time.
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