This is the eighth in the series of twelve Jyotirlingas. The manifestation of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga has three distinct school of thoughts as stated in the Puranas. Hence there is a controversy over location of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga.
As per first school of thought, Naganath at Aundha in Prabhasha-Kshetra in Maharashtra is considered as Nageshwar jyotirlinga. As per second school of thought, Jageshwar at Almorha in Uttarakhand and as per third school of thought, Dwarka in Gujarath.
According to Kshetra-Puran, the pandavas during their aranynavas (exile), came to Aundha. During their visit to Aundha forest, Bhima discovered that the cows used to go to the river bank for drinking water and there the milk used to flow automatically from their udder. He tried to dig at that place with his mace. After digging for some time, he came across blood gushing out of a Shivalinga of extreme radiance (Jyotirlinga). In this manner the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga was discovered.
Another legend states that when Saint Namdev was singing in Aundha, the Brahmin priest asked him to go away as he felt that Namdev was disturbing their routine. Namdev and his followers went to the back side of the temple and sang bhajans. Due to this the entire temple turned back. As a testimonial to this miracle, Nandi is located at the back of this temple.
The school of thought about Dwarka in Gujarat says that the Nageshwar linga located here is one of the Jyotirlingas. The demon Daruka and Daruki did severe penance and obtained a boom from Parvati that wherever they travel, the forest will travel with them. The demons used to harass the hermits by destroying their yagna and penance. Hermits sought refuge with Orva muni who cursed the demons that they will be destroyed on earth. The demons lifted the entire forest and put it in the middle of the sea. They started harassing the merchants traveling with their ships and imprisoned them in the islands. A hermit named Supriya, also a prisoner, prayed to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva answered his prayers and destroyed all the demons. Parvati granted a boon to Daruka that at the end of the era, only demons will be created on this island and Parvati will rule over them. Shiva and Parvati stayed on the island. Lord Shiva assumed the form of Jyotirlinga Nageshwar and Parvati as Nageshwari on the sea coast.
The third legend pertains to Bala Jageshwar Jyotirlinga at Daruk-vana at Almorha. Here Lord Shiva appeared as Jyotirlinga due to the penance of Balakhilyas (dwarf maharishis). The main mantra that is recited at this temple is “Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhanaan Mrityor MukshiyaMaamritaat” (Maha Mritunjay jaap) (we pray to Mahadeva whose eyes are Sun, Moon and the Fire, may he protect us from disease, poverty and fear and bless us with prosperity and longevity).
As per first school of thought, Naganath at Aundha in Prabhasha-Kshetra in Maharashtra is considered as Nageshwar jyotirlinga. As per second school of thought, Jageshwar at Almorha in Uttarakhand and as per third school of thought, Dwarka in Gujarath.
According to Kshetra-Puran, the pandavas during their aranynavas (exile), came to Aundha. During their visit to Aundha forest, Bhima discovered that the cows used to go to the river bank for drinking water and there the milk used to flow automatically from their udder. He tried to dig at that place with his mace. After digging for some time, he came across blood gushing out of a Shivalinga of extreme radiance (Jyotirlinga). In this manner the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga was discovered.
Another legend states that when Saint Namdev was singing in Aundha, the Brahmin priest asked him to go away as he felt that Namdev was disturbing their routine. Namdev and his followers went to the back side of the temple and sang bhajans. Due to this the entire temple turned back. As a testimonial to this miracle, Nandi is located at the back of this temple.
The school of thought about Dwarka in Gujarat says that the Nageshwar linga located here is one of the Jyotirlingas. The demon Daruka and Daruki did severe penance and obtained a boom from Parvati that wherever they travel, the forest will travel with them. The demons used to harass the hermits by destroying their yagna and penance. Hermits sought refuge with Orva muni who cursed the demons that they will be destroyed on earth. The demons lifted the entire forest and put it in the middle of the sea. They started harassing the merchants traveling with their ships and imprisoned them in the islands. A hermit named Supriya, also a prisoner, prayed to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva answered his prayers and destroyed all the demons. Parvati granted a boon to Daruka that at the end of the era, only demons will be created on this island and Parvati will rule over them. Shiva and Parvati stayed on the island. Lord Shiva assumed the form of Jyotirlinga Nageshwar and Parvati as Nageshwari on the sea coast.
The third legend pertains to Bala Jageshwar Jyotirlinga at Daruk-vana at Almorha. Here Lord Shiva appeared as Jyotirlinga due to the penance of Balakhilyas (dwarf maharishis). The main mantra that is recited at this temple is “Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhanaan Mrityor MukshiyaMaamritaat” (Maha Mritunjay jaap) (we pray to Mahadeva whose eyes are Sun, Moon and the Fire, may he protect us from disease, poverty and fear and bless us with prosperity and longevity).
