Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is located at 16.6 km from Dwarka. This serene place has a 25m tall statue of a sitting Lord Shiva and a large garden with a beautiful is a major attraction. Some archeological excavations claim that 5 cities may have been there. It is located in between the path of Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka.
According to Shiv Mahapuraan, once Brahma (The Creator) and Vishnu (The Preserver) had a disagreement about which of them was supreme. So as a test for them Shiv pierced the three worlds as an immeasurable pillar of light, the Jyotirlinga. Both of them parted company to determine the extent of each end of the pillar. Brahma, 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 could not find the bottom end. Shiva then appeared as a second Jyotirlinga and cursed Brahma, that he would have no place in the ceremonies, though Vishnu would be worshipped until the ‘end of eternity’.
The Jyotirlinga is the supreme indivisible reality from which Shiv appears and all the Jyothirlinga shrines commemorate this time when Shiv appeared. It was believed that there were originally sixty-four jyothirlingas out of which twelve are considered to be especially auspicious and holy. At all the Jyothirlinga sites, the primary deity is a lingam which represents the beginning less and endless Stambha pillar, symbolizing the Shiva’s infinite nature.
It is believed that Nageshwara was known as ‘Darukavna’ which is an ancient Indian forest. The place has two stories –
According to the first legend, ‘Balakhilyas’ were a group of dwarves who worshipped Lord Shiva in Darukavna. Lord Shiv decided to test their devotion and patience. So Shiv came in front of them completely nude as an ascetic wearing only snakes. Wives of all the dwarf sages got attracted to him and left their husbands for him. All the dwarves got angry and lost their patience and cursed the ascetic to lose his linga. As soon as Lord Shiva’s linga fell on earth the whole earth trembled and Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma came to Shiva came to Lord Shiva requesting him to take back his linga. To save the world from destruction Lord Shiva took back his linga. This is when Lord Shiva promised his divine presence in Darukavna as jyotirlinga.
Second legend says that hundreds of years ago a demon couple, Daruka and Daruki, lived there. Daruki was a devotee of Devi Parvati and was blessed by her. Daruka misused this blessing to trouble people. One day he captured Supriya, Lord Shiva’s devotee, and many other people. Supriya advised everyone to recite Shiv mantra. When they started chanting Daruka went to kill Supriya but Lord Shiva came to save him as a jyotirlinga. Lord Shiva could not kill Daruka as he was protected by his wife but he promised Supriya that he would protect him in form of linga.
To travel to Nageshwara Jyotirlinga you can either hire a taxi or travel by your own vehicle. The Nageshwar temple is located just 17 kms from the Dwarka town.