Nageshvara Temple

Nageshwara Jyotirlinga is one of the twelve Jyotirlings, which are temples devoted to Shiva.The Nageshwara Jyotirling is located in Aundha Nagnath, Maharshtra. Some individuals believe that the Dwarka Shivalinga in gujrat epresents the Nageshwara Jyotirlinga.

The Shiva Purana says Nageshvara Jyotirlinga is in 'the Darukavana', which is an ancient name of a forest in India. 'Darukavana' finds mention in Indian epics, such as Kamyakavana, Dvaitavana, Dandakavana.

Aundha Nagnath (Nageshwaram) is supposed to be the eighth of the twelve jyotirlingas in India, an important place of pilgrimage.The present temple is said to have been built by the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty and dates to 13th century.The first temple is said to be from time of the Mahabharata and is believed to have been constructed by Yudhishthira, eldest of the Pandavas, when they were expelled for 14 years from Hastinapur.It has been stated that this temple building was of seven-storyed before it was sacked by Aurangzeb.

Today, however, the Sanctum Sanctorum, which is located below the ground level accessed by two deep steps is with The narrow chamber offers little space for the devotees to worship, added to which constant prayers (Abhisheka) by Chants of Pandits allow peace of mind for offering ones personal prayers.

Bhagat NamDev has very deep history with this Temple. Once Namdev went to Aundha Nagnath Temple (also sometimes written as "Avanda Nagnath Temple" ) situated in the state of Maharashtra in India. The Hindu priests of that temple believed in the caste system. After reaching the temple, Namdev sat and started worshipping God but the Hindu priests grabbed his arm and drove him out of the temple. The priests said that Namdev could not visit the temple because he was of a low class.

Namdev was deeply hurt so he went to the back of the temple and started worshipping God. In his prayer he said: "Joyfully, I came to Your Temple, O Lord. While Namdev was worshipping, he was driven out. I am of a low social class, O Lord; why was I born into a family of fabric dyers? I picked up my blanket and went back, to sit behind the temple" (Guru Granth Sahib, page 1164).

"As Naamdev uttered the Glorious Praises of the Lord, the temple turned around to face the Lord's humble devotee" (Guru Granth Sahib, page 1164).

"The Lord turned the temple around to face Namdev and its back to the priests"

That temple is still rotated 180 degrees as can be seen at the site - Aundha Nagnath Temple. In most Hindu temples, the water pool ("kuub") is normally located at the front of the mandir; at this site, it can be seen at the back of the temple. Further, most temples face east since that is the most auspicious direction in the Hindu faith as the Sun rises from the East and the Sun is considered the destroyer of darkness and the giver of life. The Aundha Nagnath temple faces West.d.