Shri Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
Daruka Vana, on the Dwarka–Bet Dwarka (Okha) road, Devbhumi Dwarka district · Lord Shiva as Nageshwar, 'Lord of Serpents', with Goddess Parvati as Nageshwari
The Jyotirlinga of the 'Daruka forest' near Dwarka, with an underground sanctum and a giant seated Shiva visible from the road.
Nageshwar lies about 16–18 km from Dwarka on the road to Okha and Bet Dwarka. The Shiva Purana places the Nageshvara Jyotirlinga in 'Daruka Vana' (the forest of the demon Daruka). The Gujarat shrine is the one most pan-Indian Jyotirlinga circuits include, but Aundha Nagnath in Maharashtra and Jageshwar in Uttarakhand also claim the title (see History and FAQs). The present temple and its huge seated Shiva statue were built with money from music producer Gulshan Kumar over the old shrine, whose linga still sits in a sunken sanctum. Darshan is free; abhishek is arranged through the temple trust.
Timings
- Darshan: approx. 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM (some sources give a split 6:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 5:00 – 9:00 PM; confirm locally)
- Shringar darshan: approx. 4:00 – 4:30 PM (per Myoksha guide)
- Sandhya aarti: approx. 6:45 – 7:45 PM (Shubh Panchang); other guides say 7:00 – 7:30 PM
- Night aarti: approx. 9:00 – 9:30 PM (per Myoksha guide)
- Mahashivratri: Hours are usually extended through the night
Darshan types and costs
- General darshan – Free
- Abhishek darshan in the sanctum – Check with the temple trust (no official price list published)
Sevas and costs
- Jal / Dugdh Abhishek – Check with the temple trust (no official published rate) (During temple hours, mainly morning to afternoon)
- Panchamrit Abhishek – Check with the temple trust (During temple hours)
- Rudrabhishek – Check with the temple trust (Daytime, by arrangement)
- Laghurudra – Check with the temple trust (By arrangement)
- Shringar darshan – Free (approx. 4:00 – 4:30 PM)
- Sandhya Aarti – Free (approx. 6:45 – 7:45 PM)
- Naga (serpent) offering – Varies (cost of the silver/copper image) (Any time)
- Mahashivratri night worship – Free to attend (Mahashivratri (6 March 2027, approx. per panchang))
How to book darshan
Darshan is free and needs no booking. Abhishek and other poojas are arranged through the temple trust, usually at the pooja counter in the complex. Shubh Panchang says the trust also takes online bookings, but no official website could be confirmed; be careful with look-alike sites (several 'Nageshwar' puja sites actually belong to private priests at Aundha Nagnath, Maharashtra).
Nageshwar visitor info (Incredible India)
Dress code
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for general darshan. For abhishek in the sanctum, men remove their shirts and wear a dhoti (available at the temple); women wear a saree or salwar kameez.
Best time to visit
October to March. Visit early morning to avoid tour-bus crowds; Shravan Mondays and Mahashivratri are very crowded.
How to reach
- air: Jamnagar airport (about 130–140 km) is nearest; Porbandar (about 107 km) and Rajkot are alternatives.
- rail: Dwarka station (about 18 km); Okha (about 15 km) is the railhead for Bet Dwarka.
- road: Shared jeeps, autos and taxis from Dwarka; most Dwarka sightseeing tours include Nageshwar, Gopi Talav and Bet Dwarka.
Festivals
- Mahashivratri – Feb/Mar – 6 March 2027 (approx., per panchang)
- Shravan Mondays – Jul/Aug (2027 dates per Gujarati calendar)
- Kartik Purnima – Oct/Nov – around 24 Nov 2026 (approx.)
- Nag Panchami – Jul/Aug