Nageshwar

Nageshwar refers to a Hindu shrine associated with Lord Shiva, with the most prominent site being the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga temple near Dwarka in Gujarat, India. The temple is traditionally listed among the twelve Jyotirlingas, sacred manifestations of Shiva, though lists vary in detail across traditions.

The name Nageshwar derives from Naga, meaning serpent, and Ishvara, meaning lord, reflecting Shiva’s iconography in which snakes are a common attribute. The term is used for the temple and the Shiva lingam it houses, which is revered as a Jyotirlinga and a focus of pilgrimage for Shaivites.

Location and temple complex: The Nageshwar temple is situated on the coastal plain near Dwarka, in the western state of Gujarat. The complex centers on a sanctum containing the lingam, accompanied by a mandapa and subsidiary shrines. The site draws devotees who combine a visit here with other sacred places in the Dwarka region.

Religious significance and practice: As a Jyotirlinga, Nageshwar is regarded as a direct, divine manifestation of Shiva’s endless radiance. Devotees visit to seek blessings, and the shrine receives particular attention during auspicious periods such as Maha Shivaratri and the Shravan month, when Shiva worship is especially strengthened.

History and notes: The temple’s origins are ancient, with regional traditions and later renovations contributing to the current structure. The Jyotirlinga at Nageshwar is part of a broader Hindu belief in the twelve sacred sighs of Shiva, symbolizing the infinite nature of the deity. The name Nageshwar is also used for other temples and sites associated with serpents or Shiva across India.