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Aundha Nagnath Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

June 29, 2022, Sasidhar Darla 23 Comments Filed Under: Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra Temples Tagged With: Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra, Shiva Temples

Aundha Nagnath Temple (one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples) in Hingoli, Maharashtra is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is worshipped as Lord Nagnath in this region. The devotees praying to Lord Nagnath believe that the Lord will guide them to the correct path of life, just as he did with demons at Darukavane.

Planning to visit this temple? Have a look at our Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra Tour Package.

Aundha Nagnath Temple – Facts

Deity Lord Nagnath (Lord Shiva)
Location Hingoli, Maharashtra
SignificanceJyotirlinga
Tours 5 Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra Tour
Darshan Timings4:00 AM to 9:00 PM
PoojasRudrabhishek
Entry FeeFree
Best Time to VisitJune to August
FestivalsShravan Maas, Mahashivratri, Vijayadashami
Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra Sri Vaidyanath, Sri Trimbakeshwar,
Sri Grishneshwar, Sri Bhimashankar
Aundha Nagnath Temple Video

Aundha Nagnath Temple is one of the 5 Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra. The other 4 Jyotirlingas are:

  • Parli Vaidyanath Temple (in Parli)
  • Trimbakeshwar Temple (near Nasik)
  • Grishneshwar Temple (in Aurangabad)
  • Bhimashankar Temple (near Pune)
The 5 Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra

What are the timings of Aundha Nagnath Temple?

The temple opens at 4:00 AM in the morning and closes at 9:00 PM in the evening. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals such as the afternoon and evening aarti.

The timings of Aundha Nagnath Temple are as follows:

Rituals Timings
Darshan4:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Darshan during Shravan Maas4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Afternoon Pooja1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Evening Pooja4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

What is the significance of Aundha Nagnath Temple?

It is a popular belief that the Nagesh Linga or the Jyotirlinga is the Adhya or the first Jyotirlinga on Earth. Devotees believe that by praying at this temple, one can protect themselves against all kinds of poisons.

Since this form of Shiva is Nagnath since he has a snake around his neck. This association with snakes has led to a belief that this Linga is very powerful and potent against negating the harmful effects of all poisons. Devotees have often sighted snakes with open hoods guarding the Linga.

The Aundha Nagnath Temple is one of the Top 50 Famous Temples of India.

What is the history of Aundha Nagnath Temple?

The history of Aundha Nagnath Temple dates back to the period of Pandavas. Yudhistra, the eldest among the Pandavas, first built this majestic temple during his exile. It is also believed that Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb tried to raze down the Aundha Nagnath temple. But it is said that a swarm of bees attacked his men and Aurangzeb gave up and left the temple.

However, damages were made, to a certain extent, to this sacred Jyotirlinga. Later, Rani Ahalyabai Holkar, Queen of the Maratha Malwa Kingdom, repaired and renovated the temple.

The Aundha Nagnath Temple is a pious site for followers of both Hinduism and Sikhism.

Sant Namdev Maharaj was a well-known saint and poet. He is also considered as one of the Gurus in Sikhism and his writings are a part of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs.

It is believed that he used to sing praises of Lord Shiva every day at the temple. But the priests objected to this saying that it disturbed their routines. They drove him away. Since he was such a staunch devotee, the Lord turned the temple to face him and the priests were left facing the back of the temple. Thus, the entire temple stands rotated and directions of the Linga and Nandi are different from other temples.

Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga
The Aundha Nagnath Temple is said to be the 8th Jyotirlinga among the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country.

What is the legend of the Jyotirlinga?

During their exile, the Pandavas built their hermitage in a forest in this region of Hingoli. The cows from their hermitage drank the water from the nearby river and released milk into the river. Bhima noticed this one day and informed Yudhistra.

The Pandavas felt the presence of a great God residing in the river. Thus, they began to remove the water. Beyond a certain point, the water was boiling hot. Bhima struck the river thrice with his mace. Blood started oozing from the spot and a Linga emerged. Yudhistra then built a temple and instated the Jyotirlinga.

What is the legend of Nageshwar Darukavane?

The Aundha region was lush with thick forests in which serpents lived. It was popular as Darukavane, named after the Asuras – Daruk and Daruka. The demons harassed the hermits living in the area and imprisoned them. This angered the Gods who fought the demons and drove them away.

But Daruka was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and was blessed by a boon from Goddess Parvati.

The boon gave them the power to shift the entire forest into an island. And the demons continued to harass the hermits from the island. Among the imprisoned hermits was an ardent devotee Lord Shiva named, Supriya. She invoked the powerful Rudra Mantra along with the priests. Lord Shiva then appeared and destroyed the demons.

Daruka repented for their sins and asked for Lord Shiva’s forgiveness. He requested that he stay in the forest. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati accepted his request and assumed the form of a Jyotirlinga. They stayed in Darukavane as Lord Nageshwar and Nageshwari.

What is the structure of Aundha Nagnath Temple like?

Architecture of Aundha Nagnath Temple
The temple is built using stones from the period of the Pandavas.

The Aundha Nagnath Temple structure is strong as it consists of stones from the Pandava period. Therefore, the temple is nearly 3000 years old.

The Garbhagriha and Linga are in the basement level and devotees have to climb down to worship the main deity. The Linga faces the South and the Gomukha faces the East. The corridors of this temple are huge and are supported by eight pillars in an oval shape. The Garbhagriha consists of the Nagesha Lingamurthi inside.

One of the shrines inside the Aundha Nagnath Temple complex houses the Runomochan Teerth as is also famous as Saas Teerth and Bahu Teerth (Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law). Interestingly, the Saas Teerth has brackish water while the Bahu Teerth has sweet water. Once every 12 years during Kapila Shashti, the water from Kashi Ganga is offered here and the water of the teerth would turn crystal clear.

What are the poojas and rituals of Aundha Nagnath Temple?

The poojas that take place at Aundha Nagnath Temple are:

PoojaTiming
Rudrabhishek Pooja4:05 AM
Aarti Pooja12:00 PM
Shrisnan Pooja4:00 PM
Shejaarti Pooja11:00 AM
Sayarakchai Pooja8:30 PM

The rituals that take place at Aundha Nagnath are:

Rituals
Rudrabhishek
Dudhabhishek
Rudrabhishek with Bhog
Char Somvar (four Mondays) Ek Ammavasya Rudrabhishek
Ek Shravan Maas Akhand Jyot
Rudrabhishek for one year every Somvar
Ek Somvar 1008 Bilva Patra Abhishek
Laghurudra by 11 Brahmins
Ek Shravan Maas Jalabhishek
Ek Shravan Maas Doodh and Bilva Patra Abhishek
Char Somvar Ek Ammavasya Rudrabhishek with Doodh
Ek Somvar 1008 Mahamrityunjaya Jaap

What are the festivals celebrated at Aundha Nagnath?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Aundha Nagnath Temple are:

  • Shravan month: Shravan Maas falls on the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, starting late July and ending by the third week of August.
  • Mahashivratri: It is the day when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. It usually occurs in late February to early March.
  • Vijayadashami: Also known as Dussehra, this festival signifies the victory of good over evil and is celebrated after the nine days of Navratri.

How to reach Aundha Nagnath Temple?

Here’s how to reach Aundha Nagnath Temple:

  • Air: The nearest airport is in Nanded which is 54 km from Aundha Nagnath.
  • Rail: The nearest stations Parbhani is 50 km from the temple. One can also find connecting trains to the Hingoli junction.
  • Road: There are buses connecting from Aurangabad, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and other nearby cities of Maharashtra.

Where to stay nearby?

There few accommodation options at Aundha Nagnath Temple. Travelers mostly stay at Nanded or Parbhani.

Where to eat nearby?

Restaurant options at Aundha Nagnath Temple are very few. Travelers eat at Dhabbas which one can find on the highway or at the hotels in Nanded and Parbhani.

What are some temples nearby?

Exploring Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra
There are four more Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra apart from the Aundha Nagnath Temple.

Some of the temples near Aundha Nagnath are:

  • Mallinath Digambar Jain Temple: The Mallinath Digambar Jain Temple is in Shirad Shahapur Village and is for Lord Mallinath. This 300-year-old temple is 15 km from Aundha.
  • Parli Vaidhyanath Jyotirlinga Temple: This temple is in Parli, Beed District, Maharashtra. The temple is 118 km from the Aundha. Devotees believe that praying at this temple improves health conditions.
  • Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple: The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple is near Pune and is 465 km from Aundha Nagnath Temple.
  • Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: This Jyotirlinga is in Verul, Beed District, Maharashtra. This temple is the last of the Jyotirlingas and for devotees who undertake the Jyotirlingas pilgrimage, a visit to this temple completes their journey. The Grishneshwar temple is 227 km from Aundha.
  • Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: The Trimbakeshwar Temple is in the town of Trimbak, Nashik District, Maharashtra. The temple is 286 km from Aundha Nagnath Temple and the Linga has three faces symbolizing Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma.

Frequently Asked Questions about Aundha Nagnath Temple

Is the Aundha Nagnath Temple open throughout the year?

Yes, the Aundha Nagnath Temple is open all 365 days of the year.

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Aundha Nagnath Temple is free of cost.

Is there any online darshan facility available?

No. There is no facility for online darshan available.

Is there any facility for specially-abled and senior citizens?

No. There is no facility for specially-abled and senior citizens.

Which is the best time to visit the Aundha Nagnath Temple?

June to August are the months when the monsoon starts in Maharashtra. The weather is pleasant, making it an ideal time to visit the temple.

What is the weather like during summer?

The summers at Maharashtra start from March and continues until June. The summers here can be very hot. Temperatures during the day-time often go up to 36 º C.

What are winters like in Maharashtra?

In Maharashtra, winters start in November and continue until January. The temperatures during this time range from around 20 º C to 30 º C.

If you have any questions about the Aundha Nagnath Temple, please leave a comment below and we will get back to you within one hour.

About Sasidhar Darla

Sasidhar Darla is Myoksha Travel's Founder. He is passionate about traveling to temples and preparing travel guides to help other pilgrims.

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  1. Kavuri srinivas says

    March 7, 2024 at 5:23 pm

    How much time does it take for darshan on mahasivaratri day?..Is the temple open throught on shivaratri day?

    Reply
  2. Kavuri Srinivas says

    March 7, 2024 at 5:20 pm

    We stay in Hyderabad and propose to visit on Mahashivaratri day..How much time does it take for darshan? Will there be any special programmes on the day?

    Reply
  3. Swami Atmananda says

    February 28, 2024 at 8:53 am

    बहुत सुन्दर आवश्यक जनकारी है

    Reply
  4. Shivrajan Katta says

    February 24, 2024 at 5:02 pm

    Appreciate the very detailed information.
    I hv a question – some legend says Parli Vaidyanath and Aundh Nagnath are not counted as part of 12 Jyotirlingas as against Deogarh(Jasidih, Jharkhand) and Nageswar near Dwarka in Gujarat are considered as part of 12 jyotiingas. What is the true story to be believed

    Reply
  5. Harshad Doshi says

    February 4, 2024 at 10:05 pm

    What facility for accomodation in aundha nagnath

    Reply
  6. RAVINDRA APTE says

    February 2, 2024 at 1:38 pm

    Mala trusty cha braman (bramhachari) pahije mala laghurudra abhishake karayache aahe mala mob no .pahije

    Reply
  7. SANKALP KUMAR says

    January 7, 2024 at 11:27 am

    how much time it will take to do the Darshan in January Month. I mean the queue.

    Reply
  8. Sakshi says

    November 26, 2023 at 11:28 am

    Thank you so much for the detailed information. I am visiting the temple, and this helped.
    Will be visiting Parli Vaidyanath too. And with that will be completing the Five Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra.

    Reply
  9. अरविंद कुमार सिंघल says

    August 11, 2023 at 12:25 pm

    हम परिवार के चार व्यक्ति ११ सितंबर को शाम मे नांदेड़ पहुंच रहे हैं हमारी इच्छा है की 12 या 13 में हम औढा नागेश्वर में रुद्राभिषेक कर पाए । क्या यह संभव है और इसके लिए हमें क्या करना चाहिए

    Reply
  10. Dr(miss) Dipanwita Debnath says

    March 20, 2023 at 10:04 pm

    Is there any sparsh puja of Nagnath?

    Reply
  11. dhananjay pokhriyal says

    March 18, 2023 at 7:53 am

    very useful information

    Reply
  12. Gautham says

    February 26, 2023 at 12:25 am

    Great!!

    Try to provide road map for Aundh to Parli to Shirdi. Parli to Hyderabad. Parli to mumbai/pune

    Reply
  13. Chandrasekhar says

    November 18, 2022 at 8:41 pm

    Sir arrange traveller for 14 member and good veg food we are cmng Andhra nellore

    Reply
    • Sasidhar Darla says

      November 28, 2022 at 4:23 pm

      Please drop us an email at info@myoksha.com with your contact number. We will get in touch to help you with the arrangements.

      Reply
  14. Rashmi says

    July 6, 2022 at 6:31 am

    Is there any dress code for pooja in temple

    Reply
    • Narayan Bhopi Maharaj,Main Pujari,Aundha Nagnath. says

      October 25, 2022 at 12:23 pm

      No there is no specific dress code for darshan.but for performing Abhishekam for ladies Saree and Dhoti for men.

      Reply
  15. Ms. S. Krishnamurthy says

    July 2, 2021 at 1:56 pm

    Namaste,

    Is the temple open for darshan this month ? We are from Pune and planning to visit on 12th July. Kindly share contact number of temple pujari if possible.

    Thanks,
    Mrs. S. Krishnamurthy

    Reply
  16. Mandar Jagdale says

    May 24, 2021 at 7:52 am

    Pls provide temple website

    Reply
  17. Basavaraj R. P says

    October 25, 2019 at 6:40 pm

    Is there Temple trust free dasoham or bhojanalaya in aund nagnath Temple. ..?

    Reply
  18. Debi Prasad Tripathy says

    November 15, 2017 at 4:55 pm

    I like to visit ayundh nagnath jyotirlinga from Parbhani rly. stn. please advise how I can go and return on the same day by bus and return to Aurangabad.

    Reply
    • Sasidhar Darla says

      November 17, 2017 at 12:54 pm

      Please call us on 7977184437 for assistance.

      Reply
  19. A p goel says

    November 29, 2016 at 12:37 pm

    I am in delhi. I want to go bhimeshwar,girineshwar and valnath temples with my 2 relatives. Total 3 all senior citizens. Advise me the best route in jan around 26.1.17. We had been to shirdi and trayambkeswar. Will they be on way to any of the above 3 jyotirlings.
    We want to have economical and 3 days tour beside train times.
    Pl advise
    Regarda
    A P GOEL

    Reply
  20. Murali Chakrala says

    November 7, 2016 at 6:31 am

    Om Namashivaya

    Reply

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