Somnath and Nageshwar: Sacred Jyotirlingas of Gujarat

The sacred land of Gujarat holds a special place in India's spiritual tradition. Pilgrimage sites have played a crucial role in shaping Gujarat's rich culture and history.

The Somnath Temple, situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea, is famous across the country for its spiritual and historical importance. The Shikhar (main tower above the Garbhgriha) of this temple rises to a height of about 150 feet, with a Kalash (symbolic sacred pot) weighing nearly 10 tons installed at its top. The flag that flies atop the Somnath Temple is approximately 27 feet long.

The second Jyotirling located in Gujarat is the Nageshwar Jyotirling, also known as the Nagnath Temple. It is believed that Sri Krishna himself worshipped this Jyotirling and performed Rudrabhishekam here. At Nageshwar Jyotirling, along with Lord Mahadev, Ma Parvati is worshipped in her Nageshwari form, making this sacred site an important center for the combined worship of Shiv and Shakti.

In our divine journey of the 12 Jyotirlingas, we will now explore these two sacred abodes of Lord Shiv located in Gujarat.

Highlights of the blog:

• Somnath Jyotirling: History, Story and Significance
  • Pauranic Katha
• Nageshwar Jyotirling, Gujarat: History, Story and Significance
  • Why the name Nageshwar?
  • Pauranic Katha

Somnath Jyotirling: History, Story and Significance

(Somnath Jyotirling)

Among the 12 Jyotirlingas, the Somnath Jyotirling holds immense historical and spiritual significance. It is located at Prabhas Patan (Dev Patan) in the Kathiawar region of Saurashtra, Gujarat, close to the coastal town of Veraval in Gir Somnath district. References to Somnath are found in the Skand Puran, Shrimad Bhagavatam, and Shiv Puran.The Somnath temple is believed to have been built in four phases.

Sat Yug: In this era, the Somnath temple was known as Bhairaveshwar. It is believed to have been built by Soma or Chandra Dev (Moon Good) in gold.

Treta Yug: During this period, the temple came to be known as Shravanikeshwar (also referred to as Shravika). It was reportedly rebuilt in silver by the Lanka king, Ravan.

Dwaparyug: In this era, it was known as Shrilingeshwar, and was rebuilt in sandalwood by Sri Krishna.

Kali Yug (Present Era): Over the centuries, the Somnath temple faced repeated destruction and reconstruction. The original temple dates back to ancient times. It is known as Somnath, with the current temple being the seventh reconstruction.

Pauranic Katha

King Daksh Prajapati, the mind-born son of Lord Brahma, had twenty-seven daughters, all of whom were married to Chandradev. However, Chandradev loved Rohini, more than the others. This caused deep sorrow among his other wives, who complained to their father, Daksh Prajapati. Despite all efforts, Chandradev continued to shower special love upon Rohini, while neglecting his other wives.

Angered by this behavior, King Daksh cursed Chandradev to suffer from Kshaya Rog (a wasting disease). As a result, the Moon's radiance began to fade, and his soothing light gradually disappeared from the earth. Soon, distress spread everywhere, and Chandradev was filled with grief.

Seeing Chandradev in deep sorrow, Lord Indra and other deities, along with Rishi Vashishth, approached Lord Brahma for guidance. Lord Brahma advised them to go to the sacred Prabhas Kshetra (present-day Somnath) and worship Mrityunjay Bhagwan Shiv. Following this advice, Chandradev performed intense penance there and continuously chanted the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.

Bhagwan Shiv, pleased with Chandradev's devotion, granted a boon: during the Krishna Paksh (waning phase), the Moon's radiance would decrease, and during the Shukla Paksh (waxing phase), it would increase again, restoring the full moon on every Purnima night. Freed from the curse, Chandradev prayed to Lord Shiv to reside permanently at Prabhas Kshetra. Accepting this prayer, Lord Shiv manifested there as the Somnath Jyotirling.

Om Namah Shivaya Shantaya
Karana Traya Hetabe
Nibedayami Chatmanam
Twam Gatir Parameswarah

(Meaning: I bow to Lord Shiv, the embodiment of peace and the source of three causes of creation. I surrender my soul completely to you, my Supreme Lord. You alone are my highest refuge.)

We have learned about the glory of the Somnath Jyotirling, and now we will read about the Nageshwar Jyotirling, where Bhagwan Shiv resides as the Lord of serpents.

Nageshwar Jyotirling, Gujarat: History, Story and Significance

(Nageshwar Temple, Gujarat)

The majestic Nageshwar Jyotirling, also known as Nagnath Temple is located between Gomati Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka island on the Saurashtra coast. This sacred site in Gujarat is situated about 18–20 kilometers away from the ancient kingdom of Dwarka of Sri Krishna.

Why the name Nageshwar?

The name Nageshwar translates to the Lord of Serpents (snakes), symbolising Lord Shiv's power to protect devotees from all forms of poison and evil. This name of Lord Shiv symbolises his divine power through which He protects his devotees from all kinds of poison (sufferings) and unrighteousness.

Pauranic Katha

(Nageshwar Jyotirling)

Demon Daruka's curse and his wife's boon

In the story in Shiv Puran, the temple is situated in the ancient forest of Darukavanam (The Forest of Deodar Trees). A demon named Daruk, along with his wife Daruka (Daruki), had created havoc in the region spreading over sixteen yojanas on the west coast of the ocean. The evil Daruka used to trouble people by destroying their yagnas.

Demoness Darukaa was a great devotee of Ma Parvati and had obtained a boon from Devi. With the grace of this boon, wherever Darukaa moved through the forest, the land instantly became lush and abundant, filled with trees, fruits, and all necessities of life. She also possessed the extraordinary power to carry the entire forest with her, according to her will.

The forest people, troubled by the demons, took refuge under Rishi Aurva at his ashram. Rishi Aurva cursed the demons that if they try to kill the people on earth, the demons will die instead. The Devas learned about the curse, so they decided to take this opportunity for a battle against the demons. The demons came to know of the Devtas' intention and became worried. If they chose to fight, the curse would mean their destruction; if they did not fight, they would still die. And if they remained as they were, they would not be able to survive without anything to eat.

The anxious demoness, Darukaa revealed that she had a boon from Ma Parvati that allowed her to carry the entire forest wherever she wished. Using this power, she moved Darukavanam into the ocean. Rishi Aurva's curse did not let the demons return to earth, so they roamed the ocean surface, and began troubling sailors.

One day, several boats reached the area. The demons captured the people and imprisoned them in their city. Among them was Supriya, a Vaishya merchant and a devoted follower of Bhagwan Shiv. Supriya worshipped Mahadev daily, wore sacred ash and a Rudraksh mala, and never ate food on a day he missed His worship.

Even in prison, Supriya continued worshipping Lord Shiv by making a Parthiva Lingam and teaching others to pray. After six months, Daruka discovered this and questioned Supriya. When Supriya remained silent, Daruka became furious and ordered to kill him. Supriya closed his eyes and meditated deeply on Lord Shiv.

Bhagwan Shiv emerged from a pit and blessed Supriya with the powerful Pashupatastra. With that weapon, Supriya destroyed all the demons. Lord Shiv then granted a boon that the forest would flourish with people of all four varnas. Great Rishis and Lord Shiv's devotees would reside in the forest, while those of tamasic nature would not.

Meanwhile, Demoness Darukaa continued praying to Ma Parvati. Pleased by her devotion, Devi appeared and granted a boon that Darukaa's race would be protected. This led to a gentle disagreement between Mahadev and Ma Parvati due to their opposing boons. The matter was resolved lovingly, with Ma Parvati declaring that Lord Shiv's boon would take full effect only after the end of the Yuga; otherwise, the creation would be destroyed by a Pralaya (dissolution). Until then, tamasic beings would exist, and Darukaa, as Ma Parvati's own Shakti, would rule the Rakshasas and continue to dwell in the forest.

Thereafter, Lord Shiv manifested as the Jyotirling Nageshwara, while Ma Parvati came to be known as Nageshwari. Lord Shiv promised to remain there forever, protecting his devotees.

The Balakhilya Rishis

(Abhishekam at the Nageshwar Jyotirling)

According to the legend mentioned in the Vaman Puran, a group of dwarf sages called Balakhilyas used to worship Bhagwan Shiv in Darukavan (Daruka forest). To test their devotion and patience, Mahadev came to them as a naked saint wearing only Nagas (serpents) on his body. The wives of the Rishis got attracted to this saint and went after him, leaving their husbands behind. The Rishis were extremely disturbed by this event. They cursed the saint to lose his Lingam. (In the sacred tradition of Shaivism, the symbol of Lingam has meanings beyond its physical representation. It represents the Anant Jyoti, unending column of life, wisdom, knowledge, and creation with no beginning or end)

The Shivling fell on the earth and the whole world trembled. Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu came to Bhagwan Shiv, requesting him to save the earth from destruction and take back his Lingam. Lord Shiv consoled them and took back his Lingam. Lord Shiv promised to stay in Darukavan and manifested as a Jyotirling here.

Mahadev, the eternal guardian, always protects and uplifts those who surrender to him with faith. This Maha Shivratri, immerse yourself in devotion by joining the Maha Rudra Sadhana (from February 15, 2026 to February 26, 2026) on the Sadhana App.

You have another opportunity to please Bholenath. Join the Rudrabhishekam on the Sadhana App with Om Swami ji on February 15, 2026.

For more information, download the Sadhana App.

This spiritual journey of the twelve Jyotirlingas is still ongoing… stay with us on this path to receive Lord Shiv's blessings.