Dwarka Somnath Temple

Nageshwar Temple, also known as the Nageshvara Temple, lies on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Shrines mentioned in Shiva Purana. The Jyotirlinga is in an underground sanctum. The major attraction of this temple is a 25-meters tall statue of Lord Shiva in a large garden with a pond surrounding the statue.

Nageshwar Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Nageshwar (Lord Shiva)
Location	Jamnagar, Gujarat
Significance	Jyotirlinga
Tours	Dwarka Somnath Tour and Pancha Dwaraka
Darshan Timings	6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Entry Fee	Free
Poojas	Rudrabhisek, Laghurudra
Best Time to Visit	March and October
Festivals	Shravan, Mahashivratri
Jyotirlingas in Gujarat	Somnath Jyotirlinga, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga

What are the timings of Nageshwar Temple?

The temple opens at 6 AM and closes at 9 PM. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals, such as the morning and evening aarti.

The timings of Nageshwar Temple are as follows:

Rituals	From	To
Darshan	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

What are the sevas and poojas performed at Nageshwar Jyotirlinga?

The following poojas take place at Nageshwar Temple:

• Rudrabhishek: This abhishek is performed with Panchamrit (Milk, Ghee, Honey, Curd, and Sugar) amongst the recital of several mantras and shlokas. The pooja is said to be conducted when Shiva is in his Rudra Avatar (angry form). The Shiva Linga is washed with water which continuously keeps pouring over it through a vessel (Dudhabhishek).
• Laghurudra Pooja: This abhishek is done to resolve issues related to health and wealth. It also removes the bad effects of planets in the horoscope.

What is the significance of Nageshwar Temple?

The significance of the Nageshwar temple is that this powerful Jyotirlinga protects the devotees from all kinds of poison. Devotees also believe that the one who prays to the lord becomes free of poison i.e.negativities. The lingam at Nageshwar is unique as it consists of a stone popularly known as the Dwarka Stone.

Nageshwar Mahadev Sivalingam is facing South while the Gomugam is facing east. There is a story behind this position. There once was a devotee named, Naamdev. He was a mere saint who used to dedicate songs to Lord Shiva.

One day when he was singing bhajans in front of the Lord, the other devotees asked him to stand aside and not hide the Lord. To this, Naamdev asked them to suggest one direction in which the Lord does not exist, so that he can then stand there. The enraged devotees carried him and left him on the south. To their astonishment, they found that the Linga was now facing South with the Gomugam facing east.

What is the history of Nageshwar Temple?

According to the history of the Nageshvara temple, there are two stories behind this Jyotirlinga. The two legends relate to the existence of this numinous temple. The first story dates back to a hundred years in the Shiva Purana, about a demon couple named Daruka and Daruki.

Now known as Dwarka, the city was earlier named after the Asura couple and called, “Darukavana”. Daruka’s wife Daruki was a devotee of Goddess Parvati. But, Daruka was a cruel demon who found joy in troubling people around him.

One day, he imprisoned an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva named, Supriya, with several others. Daruka misused the blessings granted to him and continued to torment the local folks by one means or another. While in captivity, Supriya advised all the people to loudly chant the mantra of “Om Namaha Shivaye”.

Supriya told the villagers that this mantra is powerful enough to protect them all. When Daruka came to know about this, he was furious and he went to kill her. This is when Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Linga on earth. Shiva couldn’t kill the demon because of the boon granted to him by his wife, Parvati. Hence, he assured Supriya and all others that he would protect them all in the form of the Jyotirlinga.

The Jyotirlinga of Darukavana

According to another legend, a group of dwarf sages known as “Balakhilyas” worshipped Lord Shiva in Darukavana for a long time. To test their persistence as well devotion, Lord Shiva went to them as nude wearing only nagas, i.e., serpents on his body.

All the wives of the sages got attracted to him and went after him, leaving their husbands behind. This action made all the sages angry and they cursed Shiva to lose his linga. Hence, the Shiva Linga fell on earth and the whole earth trembled.

Then, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma appeared and requested Shiva to save the planet from getting destroyed and to take back his linga. After consoling the sages, Lord Shiva then took back his linga and promised his divine presence in the form of Jyotirlinga in Darukavana forever.

What are the Festivals Celebrated at Nageshwar Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Nageshwar Temple are:

• Mahashivaratri: This festival occurs in late February or early March. It is believed that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on this day. The day is famous for rigorous poojas, bhajans, and abhishekams. The devotees decorate the lingam with flowers and conduct the abhishek with milk. Thousands of people visit the temple during this glorious 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. During the Shravan Maas, the chanting of the Rudra Mantra echoes in the temple.

How to Reach Nageshwar Temple?

Here’s how to reach Nageshwar Temple:

• Air: The nearest airport is Jamnagar Airport, which is 137 km from the temple.
• Rail: Some trains even connect the way down to the south through Vadodara, Surat, Mumbai, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala.
• Road: There are direct buses available from Jamnagar and Ahmedabad.

How far is the Nageshwar Temple from the Somnath Temple?

The Somnath Temple is another one the 12 holy Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is located at Prabhas Patan, near Veraval port in Saurashtra, Gujarat. It takes around 4 to 5 hours by road to reach Somnath Jyotirlinga from Nageshwar temple.

Where to stay nearby?

There are various places to accommodate yourself comfortably, within a reasonable budget. The hotels also offer express check-in and check-out, high-speed Internet, Wi-Fi, airport & railway pickup. The names of a few of them are:

• Hotel Guruprerna
• Hotel Meera
• Hotel Damji
• Hotel Dwarka Residency
• Hotel Gomti

Where to eat nearby?

The best places nearby to feast on the local food would be the Charmi Restaurant and Hotel Prasad.

Where are some temples nearby?

Some of the temples near Nageshwar Temple are:

• Shree Dwarkadish Temple: Also known as the Jagat Mandir this temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna also known as the “King of Dwarka”. It consists of 5 storied building, 72 pillars and this temple is about 2,200 years old. It is a Pushtimarg temple, therefore it follows the guidelines and rituals of Shree Vallabhacharya and Shree Vitheleshnathji.
• Gomti Ghat Temples: The Gomati Ghat in Gujarat has plentiful of 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.
• Rukshmani Mandir: Rukshamanee/ Rukshmani Mandir is an important place of pilgrimage and is dedicated to the most adored consort of Krishna, Devi Rukmini. A masterpiece in artistic terms, this temple has embellished walls and carvings which are a treat for one’s eyes. This temple is located in the main city of Dwarka.
• Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple: 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.

Frequently Asked Questions about Nageshwar Temple

Somnath Temple is the first among the 12 holy Jyotirlingas. This sacred temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The word Somnath translates to ‘The Lord of the Moon‘ which is a form of Lord Shiva. The temple is located at Prabhas Patan, near Veraval port in Saurashtra, Gujarat. It is also called “The Shrine Eternal” because the temple was looted and destroyed six times in the past. However, it was gloriously rebuilt every single time after that.

Somnath Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Somnath (Lord Shiva)
Location	Somnath, Gujarat
Significance	Jyotirlinga
Tours	Dwarka – Somnath Tour
Darshan Timings	6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Entry Fee	Free
Poojas	Rudrabhisek, Laghurudra Abhishek
Best Time to Visit	March and October
Festivals	Shravan, Shivratri, Karthik Purnima
Jyotirlingas in Gujarat	Somnath Jyotirlinga, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga

What are the timings of Somnath Temple?

The temple opens at 6:00 AM and closes at 10:00 PM. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals, such as the morning, afternoon, and evening aarti.

The timings are as follows:

Darshan	6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Morning Aarti	7:00 AM
Afternoon Aarti	12:00 PM
Evening Aarti	7:00 PM

What are the poojas performed at Somnath Temple?

The following poojas take place at Somnath Temple:

1. Homatmak Atirudra: This yajna is the most powerful and the most sacred yajna out of all the Mahayagnas. Conducting this yagna washes away your sins and brings peace and prosperity. The Atirudra consists of eleven recitations of Maha Rudra.
2. Homatmak Maharudra: This pooja involves 56 highly learned Vedic Pandits reciting the Rudras in one place. The priest also recites Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda and Atharva Veda in front of the deities of the temple.
3. Homatmak Lagurudra: This abhishek is done to resolve issues related to health and wealth. It also removes the evil effects of planets in the horoscope.
4. Savalaksha Samput Mahamrityunjaya Jaap: The Mahamrityunjaya Abhishek increases longevity and immortality of the person.
5. Other Poojas and Abhishekams include Savalaksha Bilva Pooja, Kalsarpa Yog Nivaran Vidhi, Shivpuran Path, Mahadugdh Abhishek, Gangajal Abhishek, and Navagraha Jaap.

The prices of the poojas are as follows:

What is the significance of Somnath Temple?

The Somnath Temple is the first Jyotirlinga among the 12 Jyotirlingas in Hindu mythology. Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light from this Linga which makes it Swayambhu. Millions of people worldwide come every year to visit this temple.

It is said that the Syamantak Mani (Philosopher’s Stone) associated with Lord Krishna is hidden inside Shiva Linga in the temple. According to beliefs, this magical stone has the ability to produce gold. It is also responsible for creating a magnetic field around itself which keeps the Linga floating above the ground.

The Linga consists of iron, and the roof of the sanctum is made of loadstone. The builder of the shrine assured that the magnetic force exerted by the loadstone kept the Linga floating in the air. It is also a popular belief that one can wash away their sins by taking a dip in the holy water of the Someshwar Kund.

What is Prabhas Patan?

Prabhas Patan is the holy site of Sangam or the junction of three great mythological rivers – Saraswati, Hiranya and Kapila. It is also the site where Lord Krishna was struck by an arrow while resting under a tree.

What is the history of Somnath Temple?

According to legend, the time period and how the temple was first constructed is unknown. But it is said that the second temple was built by the Seuna Kings of Vallabhi (Yadavas of Devagiri) in around 649 CE.

The first attack on the temple was by Al-Junayd, the Governor of Sindh in around 725 CE, during invasions of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The King Nagabhata ll reconstructed the third temple in 815 CE.

In 1024, Turkic Sultan, Mohammad Ghazni bombarded the Somnath temple. He demolished the Jyotirlinga and killed all the devotees who attempted to save it from the loot. Later, King Bhoja of Malwa and King Bhimdev I of Patan restored this as a tribute to Lord Someshvara.

The next attack on Somnath was by Alauddin Khilji’s forces. The idol of the god was stolen, and many devotees were captured in the process. King Mahipala I, the Chudasama king of Saurashtra, rebuilt it in 1308. Later, Muzaffar Shah I and Mahmud Begada of the Gujarat Sultanate, respectively, made repeated assaults in 1375 and 1451.

The temple also faced the rage of Aurangzeb in 1665. Finally, in 1783 the Peshwas, Bhonsles, Queen Ahilyabai of Indore and Shrimant Patilbuwa Shinde of Gwalior together reconstructed it. The present temple is fashioned in the Chalukya style.

According to the legends, Garbhashay initially contained many gems. Over a period of time, many invaders took them. Three silver gates, originally belonging to the Somnath temple, were brought back to India from Lahore. This was after the Maratha king Mahadaji Shinde defeated Muhammad Shah.

After unsuccessful attempts to re-install them in the Somnath temple, they were then gifted to two temples in Ujjain – the Mahakaleshwar Temple and Gopal Mandir where they are still present.

What is the legend of the Someshwar Kund?

Prajapati Daksha had the 27 Nakshatras born in the form of his daughters. All of his 27 daughters were married to Lord Chandra (The Moon). However, Chandra loved only Rohini and neglected his other 26 wives. This angered their father Daksha. He cursed Chandra to decrease in size every day. To counter this curse, Chandra offered penance to Lord Shiva who granted him a boon.

The boon was that Lord Shiva would place Chandra on His head. This way, Chandra would lose one Kala (shade) every day and decrease in size for 15 days only to grow back in the next 15 days. When the moon fades away fully, it is called no moon day (Amavasya). When he grows to full size, it is called the full moon day (Purnima). Thus, these are called as Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha (each Paksha of 15 days). As a result, Shiva was also called Someshvara (Lord of the Moon). The Kund honours Shiva for removing the curse.

What is the structure of the Somnath Temple?

The temple is divided into three main areas – the Garbhagraha, the Sabhamandapam, and the Nrityamandapam. The Shikhar of the temple is 150 feet high. The Kalasam or the Kalash weighs 10 tonnes. The flag pole at the top is 8.2 meters long. The temple reflects the skills of the Sompura Salats, Gujarat’s famed stonemasons.

An inscription in Sanskrit is found in the Banastambha also known as the “Arrow Pillar”. The Abadhit Samudra Marg and Tirstambh indicate that there is no land in a straight line between the seashore until Antarctica.

What are the festivals celebrated at Somnath?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Somnath Temple are:

1. Shravan Month: Shravan Maas falls on the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, starting late July and ending by the third week of August.
2. Mahashivratri: It is the day when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. It usually occurs in late February to early March.
3. Golokdham Utsav: It signifies the birth of Lord Krishna, more popularly known as Janmashtami.
4. Kartik Purnima Fair: The fair lasts for five days.
5. Somnath Sthapana Divas: The foundation day which is celebrated on the 11th of May.

How to reach Somnath Temple?

• By Air: The nearest airport is Diu which is 85 km away from the temple.
• By Train: The nearest railway station is Somnath (0.5 km). Regular train service is available from all major cities in Gujarat.
• By Road: Somnath connects well to major cities in Gujarat like Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Dwarka, and Chorwad by state roadways.

Somnath Temple route from Ahmedabad

Somnath temple lies at a distance of 411 km from the heart of Ahmedabad.

• Air: Flights are available that connect Ahmedabad airport to Diu Airport which is 85 km away from the temple.
• Train: Many trains such as the Superfast express as well as the Mail express run between Somnath railway station and Ahmedabad railway station.
• Road: The fastest route to travel using roadways is via NH27 and NH47. It takes about 7 hours of drive between Ahmedabad and Somnath temple using the road.

Where to stay nearby?

1. Rooms operated by Somnath Temple Management are available at nominal rates. People can book those rooms by visiting the official website at www.somnath.org.
2. Accommodations can be booked in the Sagar Darshan Atithi Grah, Lilavati Atithi Bhavan, and Maheshwari Atithi Bhavan.
3. Private hotels are also abundant near the Somnath Temple complex.

Some of the hotels where one can stay near Somnath Temple are:

1. The Fern Residency Somnath: The hotel has 56 rooms including suites such as Winter Green and Hazel Suite. The hotel also offers express check-in and check-out, high-speed Internet, gym facility, in-room safe as well as a business centre.
2. The Divine Resort: The hotel has a large party hall that can accommodate up to 5000 guests. Conference rooms, massage centre, swimming pool, and gymnasium are also available. Other basic services provided are car rentals, babysitting, and doctor on call.
3. Lords Inn Somnath: The hotel has facilities like Wi-Fi, airport & railway pickup, power backup, currency exchange, spa, swimming pool, and fitness centre. The hotel also has a meeting room and a banquet hall for private and corporate events

Where to eat nearby?

All the Guesthouses managed by the Somnath Temple Trust hosts a restaurant, which serves various cuisines like Gujarati, Punjabi, and Chinese. Apart from those, many small eateries are also present around the temple complex.

What are the famous temples near Somnath?

Some temples near Somnath temple are:

• Bhalka Tirth: It is 5 km from the Prabhas – Veraval highway. At this location, the arrow fired by the poacher Jara hit Sri Krishna, who was resting under a Peepal tree. The Lord Sri Krishna then walked and reached the banks of River Hiran from where he started his last journey.
• Shree Golokdham Teerth or Shree Neejdham Prastham Teerth: It is on the banks of River Hiran, 1.5 km away from the Somnath Temple. The footprint of Lord Krishna is carved here to mark the site of the temple. Balaram, the elder brother of Lord Krishna also started his last journey from here in his original serpent form.
• Junagadh Gate: This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Gujarat. A long time ago Mohmmad of Ghazni entered through this gate and looted the famous Somnath temple and turned it to ruins. Though it has worn out over time, this monument still continues to attract history lovers.

Some other famous temples in Gujarat are:

• Dwarkadhish Temple: It is one of the Char Dham pilgrimages, is situated in the city of Dwarka in Gujarat. Dwarka lies on the banks of river Gomti, in Saurashtra. It is historically considered as the capital of Lord Krishna. The city eventually submerged under the sea except for Temples.

Frequently Asked Questions about Somnath Temple