Shri Nageshwar Mahadev Temple - Ancient Hindu Temple in Dwarka.

 

Shri Nageshwar Mahadev Temple is an important Hindu pilgrimage center in Dwarka, Gujarat. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga and finds mention in Shiva Purana. Jyotirlinga is one of the fascinating aspects of Hinduism as well. Jyotirlinga is the pillar of light, which experts believe that there is a total of sixty-four such Jyotirlingas in the world, but we know the location for only twelve. The Nageshwara Jyotirlinga temple in Dwarka has one of them. Tourists just fall in love with the giant and artistic statue of Lord Shiva, the prime deity of the temple. This place enchants visitors with its aesthetics and makes a long withstanding mark in the memory of all. The road to the Nageshwar Mahadev Temple is an open road without much traffic. There’s greenery on both sides, so the visit in itself is a thrilling and memorable experience.

 

 

The authorities are taking good care of the temple, and you have enclosures everywhere, ensuring that the devotees move around in a simple, consistent queue, and darshan completes in a hassle-free manner. The interiors of the temple are mostly white and brown. Unlike the other temples that we see in Maharashtra and Gujarat, there’s no intricate carving or sculptures on the pillars and the walls. The Nageshwar Mahadev Temple in Dwarka is a visual spectacle and is the home to the 85 feet tall Shiva idol, which is popular in contemporary culture. The Shiva idol is visible from a distance, and the entry to the temple begins with a deftly decorated arch. The Nageshwar temple is well maintained and doesn’t feel crowded. Once you enter the Nageshwar Temple, you will see that there are a queue and a railing that you have to follow to visit the sanctum sanctorum. The sanctum sanctorum houses a silver shivling set in a marble platform.

 

 

Some legends in Hindu mythology connect to the Nageshwar Mahadev Temple. Legend states that Daruka, a demon harassed the people living in this village. In this village lived Supriya, a devotee of Lord Shiva, who ended up being abducted by Daruka. When Supriya was in captivity, he exhorted everyone to chant Om Namah Shivay. Lord Shiva then saved Supriya. It’s a fascinating legend, but there’s some confusion about the names and the characters, so it’s something that the tourist can explore on their own.

 

You see the trident that’s at a different location, near the Nandi idol, something unique, as the trident is generally near the Lord Shiva idol. You can spend at least an hour marveling at the arches and looking at the architecture. You will see the locals paying their respects to the Jyotirlinga, an experience in itself. There is a lake nearby the temple, and an idol of the Shaneshwar Maharaj lodged below a tree. A small shop inside the temple sells various artifacts that will serve as a memento of your visit to the Jyotirlinga. There are some other temples in the vicinity that you can visit. There’s a Shani Dev mandir and a Shiv Parivar mandir.

 

 

Dwarka is well connected to other cities and states. Shri Nageshwar Mahadev Temple is about 15 kilometers away from Dwarka and you can hire local transport to reach. To travel by air, the nearest airport is Jamnagar Airport, which is closest to the city of Dwarka. You can cover rest of the distance by bus or by private car to reach the Nageshwar Temple.

 

Timing: Shri Nageshwar Mahadev Temple remains open for public darshan from 6 AM to 12:30 PM and again from 5 PM to 9:30 PM. 

 

Best Time to Visit: You would enjoy the beauty of the place if you choose to visit in the winter season from the month of October to March.