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Located near Aundh, Mahaaraashtra, this 7th Jyotirling arose when local merchants sought Shiv's help to fight the demoness Daarukaa.

Mythological Background

(1) Paandav came here during their Vanvaas (exile or life in forests) and build a hermitage for themselves. Their cows used to go to the same river bank to drink water. After drinking water, milk used to automatically flow into the river as if the cows were offering to the river. One day Bheem saw this miraculous event. He promptly told Dharm Raaj about the same. Then Dharm Raaj said, "Surely, some great God must be living in this river." Then the Paandav started removing the water from the river. The middle part of the river was so hot that the water there was boiling. Bheem lifted his mace attacked the river thrice. The water gave way instantly. At the very moment, blood started oozing like a spring. Shankar's Ling could be seen there as the Jyotir Ling.

(2) Daaruk and Daarukaa needed  to live a place so they lived on the west coast in an area of 16 Yojan. Since they were demons they used to trouble to hermits living there. The hermits were tired of being harassed by Daaruk, and others. So they went and sought refuge with Aurv Muni, who in turn cursed the Demons that they would be destroyed. At about same time, the Devtaa attacked the Demons, so the Demons began to worry. Daarukaa, who received some special boons from Paarvatee, lifted the entire forest, took it away on the path of the sky and put it in the middle of the sea. Only then, did the Demons relax and continue to live there. They used to go by boats and capture the hermits and imprison them in the island. Once, there was a Shiv devotee by the name Supriya who was among the prisoners. He never ate food or drank water without worshipping Shiv. He continued to do Poojaa even while in prison.

When the guards informed their chief about his, he ordered that Supriya be put to death. Then Supriya prayed to Shankar for his life. The Lord appeared before him immediately and destroyed the entire group of demons including their families. The Lord laid open the entire island for all the four classes of people for living. On the other land, Paarvatee granted a boon to Daarukaa. As a result, at the end of that era, only Demons would be created and she would rule Daarukaa. Shiv accepted this. Then Shiv and Paarvatee stayed there. Shiva once again assumed the form of Jyotirling, with the name Naageshwar and Parvati was known as Naageshwaree.

Another Naageshwar Temple
The city of Dwaarakaa is regarded as the "Gateway to Moksh (Salvation)". The term "Dwaarkaadheesh" refers to Lord Krishn, who is regarded as the "Lord of Dwaarakaa". Around 5000 years ago, Dwaarkaa is believed to have been built by Lord Krishn Himself. As per the "Harivansh" (an appendix to the Mahaabhaarat), Dwaarakaa was positioned on the bank of Gomatee River. This holy city is said to have been the abode of Lord Krishn, for more or less 100 years, during His lifetime. Dwaarakaa is assumed to have been immersed in the sea, when the Lord returned to his divine world.

In the early eighties, archeological department revealed that the entire coast of western India sank by nearly 40 feet around 1500 BC The present Temple is expected not to be older than the Mugal period. The inscriptions on the pillars date back to the 15th century. Necessarily, the ancient Temple had been there, but it was possibly destroyed by Mohmud Begada in 1473 AD. The current structure must have been erected during the period of Mugal Emperor, Akbar.

The majestic five-storied structure of Dwaarakaadheesh Temple stands high on the confluence of Gomatee River and Arabian Sea. The Jyotirling enshrined in the Temple of Naagnaath is known as Naageshwar Jyotirling and attracts thousands of pilgrims all round the year. This powerful Jyotirling symbolizes protection from all poisons. It is said that those who pray to the Naageshwar Ling become free of poison. The Rudra Sanhitaa Shlok refers to Naageshwar with the phrase Daaruk Van Naagesh.

Built with the support of 72 pillars, Dwaarakaadheesh Mandir presents a sight to behold. Elevated to the height of 78.3 meters, the spire of Temple dominates the skyline of Dwaarakaa. An 84-foot long multicolored flag, adorned with the symbols of the Sun and Moon, waves from the dome of Temple. It is said that originally the Temple was built over the "Hari-Griha" (Lord Krishn's residential place) by Vajranaabh, the grandson of Lord Krishn.

Dating back to 2500 years, Jagat Mandir (Nija Mandir) makes the sanctum sanctorum of Dwaarakaadheesh Temple. It comprises a soaring tower and a hall of audience. The audience hall is comprised of both, ancient and existing sculptures. One can enter the Temple by two doorways. The main doorway (north entrance) is known as "Moksh Dwaar" (Door to Salvation), whereas the southern doorway is called as "Swarg Dwaar" (Gate to Heaven). The outer side of this doorway has 56 steps that take to the Gomatee River.

Legend Behind the Dwaaarakaadheesh Idol
There is a legend behind the idol of Lord Dwaarakaadheesh of the Temple. Badanaa, an old devotee, used to come daily from Dakor to Dwaarakaa, in order to have a glimpse of the Lord Dwaarakaadheesh. The Lord was really appeased with her and one day, He went along with Badanaa to Dakor, in the form of an idol. The priests at Dwaarakaa Temple got angry at Badanaa who took the idol according to them. The enraged priests chased Badanaa to get back the idol. Badanaa convinced the priests to leave the idol in place of gold. The priests agreed upon the condition and to their surprise, the idol happened to be as light as one nose-ring. This miracle was done by the Lord himself, as He knew Badanaa had only a nose-ring to offer. However, the Lord didn't disappoint the priests and said that they would find a replica on a particular day. The priests could not resist their inquisitiveness and excavated the recommended site quite early. They found one yet to grow idol that is presently enshrined at Dwaarakaa.

According to Shiv Puraan, a Shiv devotee by name Supriya was attacked by a demon Daaruk while in a boat. The demon imprisoned him along with several others at his capital Daaruk Van where he resided with his wife Daarukee. Supriya advised all prisoners to chant the Mantra "Om Namaha Shivaaya". When Daaruk came to know about this he ran to kill Supriya. Instantly Lord Shiv appeared in the form of a Jyotirling and vanquished the demon with the Paashupat Astra. This Jyotirling manifestation of Shiv is worshipped as Naageshwar.

There are two other sites in India, one near Poorn is in Andhra Pradesh and another one is near Almora in Uttar Pradesh also enshrine temples to Naageshwar Jyotirling. According to the Shiv Puran, anyone who ever with devotion reads the birth and greatness of this Jyotirling shall beget all material happiness and divine status in the end.

Apart from this main idol, there are idols of Baladev (Balaraam), Pradyumn and Aniruddh (grandson of Krishn) too. There is a small shrine dedicated to Kusheshwar Mahaadev (Shiv) also. Besides these, there are shrines dedicated to Devakee (mother of Lord Krishn), Venee-Maadhav (Lord Vishnu), Raadhikaa, Jaambvatee, Satyabhaamaa, Lakshmee, Saraswatee and Lakshmee-Naaraayan in the temple complex.

In the Temple, worship is conducted by Abotee Braahman (a particular caste of Braahman, who have been performing Poojaa for centuries). Every day, Aaratee is performed at regular intervals and "Abhishek" (bathing ceremony) is done. The Lord is decked in new clothes, jewels and flowers. Janmaashtamee is the major festival that is celebrated at Dwaarkaadheesh Temple. At the time of festival, the entire temple is festooned with lights.

Naageshwar, near Dwaarakaa in Gujaraat is one of the 12 Jyotirling Shrines of Shiv. Lord Krishn Himself used to worship it and perform Rudraabhishekam. It is believed as the first Jyotirling on the Earth. At the entrance of the Temple, there is a 60 feet statue of Lord Shiv. The Jyotirling enshrined in the Temple of Naag Naath is known as Naageshwar Mahaadev and attracts thousands of pilgrims all round the year. This powerful Jyotirling symbolizes protection from all poisons and those who pray to the Naageshwar Ling therefore become poison free.

Naageshwar Mahaadev Shiv Ling faces South while the Gomukh faces East. There is a story for this position. A devotee by name Naamdev was singing Bhajan in front of the Lord. Other devotees asked him to stand aside and not hide the Lord. To this Naamdev asked them to suggest one direction in which the Lord does not exist, so that he can stand there. The enraged devotees carried him and left him on the South side. To their astonishment, they found that the Ling was now facing South with the Gomukh facing East.

Once there lived a Raakshas called Daaruk, who was extremely cruel and tortured the good people. But yet he was a great devotee of Lord Shiv. Once a Shiv devotee, Supriya who was a merchant reached the Daaruk Van, where Daaruk lived with his wife Daarukee, while sailing with his goods. Daaruk asked Supriya to teach him the path of devotion to Shiv, the norms of performing Poojaa and penance. Fearing that Daaruk would use any additional powers gained by such penance, to bad use, Supriya refused to guide him. The enraged Daaruk began to torture Supriya. Supriya however was staunch in his faith in the Lord and was unmoved by any torture. Lord Shiv was pleased and appeared and killed the demon Daaruk. Daarukee, now started giving even more trouble than her husband. Shiv vanquished her too and gave Darshan to his devotees at this place as Naageshwar.

This Shiv Ling is facing South, with the Gomugam facing East. There is a story for this position. A devotee named Naamdev was singing Bhajan in front of the Lord. Other devotees asked him to stand aside and not hide the Lord. To this Naamdev asked them to suggest one direction in which the Lord does not exist, so that he can stand there. The enraged devotees carried him and left him on the south side. To their astonishment, they found that the Ling was now facing South with the Gomugam facing East.

Two other sites in India, one near Audh Graam near Purna in Andhra Pradesh and another near Almodaa in Uttar Pradesh also enshrine Temples to Naageshwar Jyotirling.

According to the Shiv Puraan, anyone who reads the birth and greatness of this Jyotirling with devotion shall beget all material happiness and Divine status in the end.

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