Sthala Mahātmyam
Nageshwar, near Dwarka on the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat, is the Jyotirlinga whose name means Lord of Serpents (Nagas). Its legend, drawn from the Shiva Purana, tells of a demon named Daruka and his wife Daruki, who terrorised the land and imprisoned a devout merchant, Supriya, along with others. Even in captivity Supriya ceaselessly chanted Om Namah Shivaya and taught his fellow prisoners to do the same. Moved by such devotion, Shiva appeared, destroyed the demons, and chose to abide here eternally as Nageshwar. The lingam is believed to protect devotees from poisons, snake venom and worldly temptations. The temple is marked by a towering seated statue of Shiva visible from afar, and lies on the pilgrim route linking Dwarka with the Bet Dwarka shrines. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with great grandeur, drawing large gatherings of devotees from across the country, and the month of Shravan sees continuous worship at this coastal shrine.
