Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple stands in the area traditionally known as Daruka Vana (the forest of Daruka), on the road between Dwarka and Bet Dwarka in Devbhumi Dwarka district, Gujarat. Here Lord Shiva is worshipped as Sri Nageshwar – the Lord of serpents – and the temple is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Visitors recognise it from afar by the huge seated statue of Lord Shiva that rises above the temple garden against the open sky of the Saurashtra coast.
Main Deity and Worship
The presiding deity is a self-manifested (Swayambhu) Lingam, enshrined in a sanctum set slightly below the level of the main hall, with the Goddess worshipped here as Nageshwari. Devotees perform abhishekam with water and milk and offer bilva leaves and flowers. As the Lord of serpents, Nageshwar is especially worshipped by those seeking protection from poison and from fears and afflictions associated with serpents, and many devotees offer small metal images of snakes in fulfilment of their vows.
Sthala Puranam (Legend)
According to the Shiva Purana, a demon named Daruka and his wife Daruki ruled over a forest by the sea and terrorised the people of the region. Daruka captured a pious merchant named Supriya, a devoted worshipper of Shiva, along with many others, and imprisoned them in his city. Even in captivity Supriya did not give up his devotion – he continued to worship Shiva and taught his fellow prisoners to chant "Om Namah Shivaya".
When the demons attacked him for this, Lord Shiva appeared in a radiant form, destroyed the demons and freed his devotees. At their prayer, he remained at this place as the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, together with Goddess Parvati as Nageshwari, to protect all who seek his shelter.
The Temple and the Shiva Statue
The present temple is a modern structure built on the ancient sacred site, renovated in the 1990s with the support of devotees and philanthropists. It is set in a quiet, open garden. Its best-known landmark is the giant seated statue of Lord Shiva in the temple grounds – one of the tallest images of Shiva in the region – which can be seen from a long distance and has become a symbol of Nageshwar.
Festivals
- Maha Shivaratri (February–March): the biggest festival of the year, with worship through the night and large crowds.
- Shravan month (July–August): the Mondays of Shravan are especially sacred and draw many devotees.
- Karthika Purnima (October–November): lamps are lit and special pujas are offered.
Temple Timings
- The temple is generally open from early morning to evening, with a break in the afternoon.
- Timings change on festival days. Please check locally before your visit.
How to Reach
By Road: the temple is about 17 km from Dwarka town, on the road to Okha and Bet Dwarka. Taxis and autos from Dwarka visit Nageshwar together with Bet Dwarka and nearby shrines, and buses connect Dwarka with Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar and Ahmedabad.
By Train: the nearest railway station is Dwarka, about 17 km away, on the line from Ahmedabad and Rajkot to Okha.
By Air: the nearest airport is Jamnagar Airport (JGA), about 130 km away. Porbandar Airport is another option for some travellers.
Visitor Information
- Dress code: traditional, modest clothing is recommended.
- Combine your visit: most pilgrims visit Nageshwar on the same day as Bet Dwarka, Gopi Talav and the Rukmini Devi temple.
- Best time to visit: October to March, when the coastal weather is pleasant.
- Crowds: Mondays, Maha Shivaratri and the Shravan month are the busiest times.
- Nearby places: Dwarkadhish Temple (Dwarka), Bet Dwarka, Rukmini Devi Temple, Gopi Talav, and – along the Saurashtra coast – Somnath Temple, the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
