Aundha Nagnath Temple is an ancient Shiva temple, claimed to be a Jyotirlinga in contrast to Nageshwar Temple in Dwarka. Located at Aundha Nagnath in Hingoli district of Maharashtra. It is located at a distance of 30 km from Hingoli, 50 km away from Parbhani and around 64 km away from Nanded. 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. Pandavas came here during their Vanavas to build a hermitage for themselves. Their cows used to go to the same river bank to drink water. After drinking water, milk used to flow automatically into the river as if the cows were offering to the river. One day Bhima saw this miraculous event and told Dharmaraja about the same. Then Dharmaraja said, “Surely, some great God must be living in this river”. Then the Pandavas started removing the water from the river. The middle part of the river was so hot that the water there was boiling. Bheema lifted his mace and attacked the river thrice. The water gave way instantly. Lord Shankara’s Linga could be seen as the Jyotirlinga.
Legend has it that a devotee by name Supriya, was attacked by a demon Daaruka, while in a boat and that the demon imprisoned him along with several others at his capital Daarukaavana, where he resided with his wife Daaruki. Shiva appeared in the form of a Jyotirlingam and vanquished the demon with the Paasupata Astram. Hence the words dārukāvanē.
It has been stated that the temple building was seven-storeyed before it was sacked by Aurangzeb.
The total temple campus is spread over 60,000 sq. ft. The temple’s height is 60 feet and covers an area of 7200 sq. ft.
The Nageswar Jyotirlinga place is disputed by three places.
One in Dwaraka Gujrat – Nageshwar
Aundha Nagnath Temple Anudh Maharastra
Jageshwar Dham Temples, Almora Third one near Nainital in Uttarakhand.
Because of the words in the Dwadsa Jyotirlinga Stotra” नागेशं दारुकावने nāgēśaṃ dārukāvanē”. The forest(Vane) mentioned could also be associated with a demoness named Daruka and her husband Daruka, after whom the forest is named. The demoness Daruka, an ardent devotee of Parvati, was granted a boon that allowed her to create and control the forest. She and her husband, Daruka, terrorized the forest and its inhabitants, including Shiva devotees like Supriya. So Shiva appearing to save Supriya and other devotees from the demons, and the Shivalinga that manifested at that spot is now the Nageshvara Jyotirlinga.
The other interpretation of Darukavan is Deodar tree forest (Cedrus deodara) so the Siva temple Nainital in Uttarakhand claims it is the real Nageswar Jyotirlinga.
By Air:
The nearest airport is in Nanded, which is approximately 61 km from the temple.
You can also fly into Aurangabad airport, which is about 200 km away.
By Rail:
Hingoli is the closest railway station, located about 25 km from the temple.
Parbhani is another nearby railway station, approximately 51 km away.
You can also find connecting trains to Hingoli junction.
By Road:
Aundha Nagnath is a major bus stop and is well-connected to major cities in Maharashtra.
You can find daily luxury buses from Mumbai, Thane, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Nanded, Aurangabad, Nashik, Akola, Solapur, and Latur.
Pilgrims traveling from Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Aurangabad by road can easily visit the temple.
For Poojas etc message or call.
Pandit Darshan Pathak Guruji
Shree Nageshwar jyotirlinga Temple
Aundha Nagnath ( Maharashtra )
Phone: +91 86688 56667, +91 89836 57221
