A devotional representation of “SHIVA“. A compound of JYOTIS (‘radiance’) and LINGA (‘sign’). The Śiva Mahapuranam mentions 64 original jyotirlinga shrines
Nageshwar Temple, located in Dwarka, Gujarat, India, is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It holds a prominent place in the Shiva Purana and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas scattered across India. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is situated in the ancient forest known as Daarukavana, mentioned in several Vedic and epic texts, including the Shiva Purana, Kamyakavana, Dvaitavana, and Dandakavana.
The Shiva Purana narrates the story of a demon named Daruk, who, along with his wife Daruka, terrorized the devotees of Lord Shiva. Daruk ruled over a city submerged beneath the sea called Darukavana, a place inhabited by sea serpents and demons. Among the prisoners in this city was Supriya, a devout Shiva devotee. The demoness Daruka had invoked the blessings of Mata Parvati through penance, earning her the divine boon to control the forest. As a result, the forest followed Daruka wherever she went, and she shifted it into the sea to shelter the demons.
In this dark and perilous place, Supriya continued his devotion to Shiva. At his behest, the other prisoners began chanting the powerful mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” with unwavering faith. As they chanted, Lord Shiva appeared, vanquishing the demon Daruk and his forces. Supriya, in his devotion, set up a Shiva Lingam, and the chanting of the holy mantra, alongside Shiva’s divine intervention, led to the defeat of the demons.
The Shiva Lingam established by Supriya came to be known as Nageshwar. Shiva, in his infinite mercy, manifested as a Jyotirlinga at this location, while Mata Parvati also made her presence known as Nageshwari. It is believed that the site of the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is blessed by both Lord Shiva and Parvati, offering divine guidance and protection to devotees who worship with devotion.
The story concludes with Lord Shiva announcing that he would show the righteous path to those who would seek him with pure hearts and unwavering devotion. The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga continues to be a beacon of divine grace and spiritual enlightenment for countless devotees who visit the temple seeking his blessings.
