Nishkalank Mahadev’s temple - A Shiva Temple Middle Of Arabian Sea Koliyak, Bavnagar

                                                       Nishkalank Mahadev’s Temple

Koliyak is located at a distance of about 23 km to the east of Bhavnagar. It is said that Pandavas established Nishkalank or Nakalank Mahadev on a new moon night of the Indian calendar month of Bhadarva. The famous fair popularly known as ‘Bhadarvi’ is held on the new moon night in month of Sharvan, as per the Indian calender. An idol of god Shankar was established in an island, over the sea about 3 km to the east of Koliyak.

Think of a temple in the weirdest of places. Under the sea. But then, the Hindus have built their temples over the hills and mountains, inside the caves, at the sea shore, near the water falls…where ever nature reveals itself in all its grandeur and pristine beauty. The temple I am talking about is Nishkalank Mahadev’s temple (Nishkalank – blemish-less or sinless; Mahadev – Lord Shiva), and it is under water during high tides in the sea and emerges during low tides to reveal itself majestically, promising its devotees to wash away all sins. As it did for the Pandavas in the epic Mahabharata, when they wanted to atone for the sin of killing their brethren, even though they were all evil incarnated.

About Nishkalank Mahadev’s Temple:-

This temple is 2 kms inside the sea. One has to travel by boat to reach this temple. The temple is immersed in the sea in the remaining hours. Tides in the sea create this effect. One can identify the temple with the help of a flag arranged on the top of temple. The devotees perform their Puja activities and return by evening. The tides are very active in this area especially on no moon day and full moon day. The devotees eagerly wait for the tides to disappear on these days.

 According to historians, this temple was built by Pandavas during Mahabharath war. There will be celebrations at this temple on Mahashivarathri. This temple was built with a special care to withstand very high tides. This temple is a big question to all the modern engineers and technology experts. We should appreciate the work of ancient Indians who built this temple.

Story Linked to the Temple:-

 

 

 

 

 

 The story is from Mahabharat age.  After Pandavas won the battle by killing all the Kauravas; were feeling anguish releasing that they have attained sins for killing their relatives. So as to discover reclamation for their sins, Pandavas met Lord Krishna. Krishna handed them a black Flag and a black Cow.

He asks the Pandavas to trail them, saying when both turns white, they all will be forgiven. Krishna also recommends them to apologize to lord Shiva, after that. The Pandavas followed the cow everywhere it went and conceded the flag. They marched for days, to various places but the shades didn’t change. Lastly, when they reached the Koliyak Beach, both turned white. Pandavas were dignified and sat for apologizing by meditated to lord Shiva.

Impressed by the brothers, Shiva appeared in Lingam form to each Pandava. Altogether there were 5 (Swayumbu) lingams that appeared on their own. Pleased Pandavas worshiped all the 5 linga with religious zeal. Hence, they named it as Nishkalan Mahadev. ‘Nishkalank’ means being spotless, clean, and innocent, etc. Pandavas settled down the Nakalank Mahadev on Amavasai i.e. no moon night of the Indian calendar month Bhadra. An idol of Lord Shiva was established on the island, about 3kms to the east of Koliyak. Every lingam has a Nandi fronting it. They are placed on a square platform. A pond named “Pandava Kund” is used by devotees to wash hands and legs before visiting Shiva Lings.

Watch For:-

 As the temple is situated in the middle of the Arabian Sea, you must be careful about the tides. There are high tides on the full moon and no moon days and thus going on these days would be troublesome for you. Though the tides are always on, but it is said that the tides make way for devotees during worship hours and cover the Shiva Lingas during night hours.
Visit Time: Though the temple is open for devotees on all days of a week but every Friday, holds a special preference for devotees to visit Nishkalank Mahadev Mandir. The temple is opened for only a few hours in a day.

Legend Of Nishkalank Mahadev’s Temple:-

The following temple story dates back to Mahabaratha era. Pandavas killed all the Kuravas and won the battle. Pandavas were grief stricken knowing they acquired sins for killing their own relatives. In order to find redemption for their sins, Pandavas met Lord Krishna. To remove the sins, Krishna hands over a black Flag and a Black COW. He asks the Pandavas to follow it, when both Cow and flag turns white, they all will be pardoned. Krishna also advises them to do penance to lord Shiva, after that. The angst stricken brothers followed the cow wherever it went and carried the flag. They walked for days, to different places and the color did not change. Finally, when they arrived at the Koliyak Beach, both cow and the flag color turned to white. Pandavas were exalted. And all the 5 brothers sat for deep penance, meditated on lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva impressed by the brothers showed up in lingam form to each brother. As they meditated, each lingam appeared in front of each brother. In total there were 5 (Swayumbu) lingams that showed up on their own. Pandavas were delighted to see this and they worshiped all the five lingams with great devotion. Lord Shiva here is known as Nishkalan Mahadev. ‘Nishkalank’ has many meaning they are clean, pure, guiltless, to cleanse, to purify, etc. It is said that Pandavas established Nishkalank or Nakalank Mahadev on a Amavasai of the Indian calendar month of Bhadarva. The famous fair popularly known as ‘Bhadarvi’ is held on the no moon night in month of Sharvan (August), as per the Indian calendar. An idol of Lord Shiva was established in an island, over the sea about 3 km to the east of Koliyak. Each lingam has a Nandhi facing it. The lingams are spread across a square Platform. There is a pond called Pandavas pond and devotees’ first wash their hands and legs and only then they visit the Lord Shivas shrines.
Nishkalank Mahadev Temple is one of the rarest of rare temples. The sea everyday withdraws, paving way for the devotees to offer their prayers. This temple is located in the middle of the sea, and devotees’ young and old alike walk all the way to reach this temple. The water just around the temple pave the way, and this is a rare sight. And after 7 pm, the temple is again covered under the fierce tide.
Devotees’ throng this temple during Amavasai (no moon day), it is to be noted here that the tides are very active during full moon day and no moon day, yet devotees patiently wait for the tides to retrieve. There is strong belief that when loved ones are cremated their ashes are immersed in these waters and by doing so, one attains salvation or moksha. Besides ash, milk, curds and whole coconut are offered to the lord here. The temple festival is initiated by hoisting the flag by the clans of Maharajas of Bhavnagar. This flag is on for 364 days and is changed only during the next temple festival. And for the records, the flag has never fallen down or washed away by the tides. It stands undisturbed by the ferocious tides and has seen the deadliest earth quake that killed more than 50,000 people in 2001.
This is a wonder beauty. The devotees worship not many temples that are buried under the sea. However, this temple stands as an exception.

Miracle Of Temple:-

Nishkalank Mahadev Temple at Koliyak
Earlier I had told you that the Gujarat sea line is different from the rest of India. And we had seen the proof of the same at Kavi Kamboi. Now let us explore the same a bit more.
Let me explain step by step. We were at the Koliyak beach at around 8 am. We parked our car at a convenient place and started taking some photos and videos. It was like any other sea beach. Calm and quiet. There were lots of shacks. Most of them were not yet opened, and those few which were opened were preparing some deep fried pakoda kind of breakfast. We were one of the first visitors of the day.

We could see two poles with flags deep inside the see, may be a km or two from the beach.
The calm and quiet beach of Koliyak at 8.15 am. Your eye sight is excellent if you have spotted 2 parallel vertical lines

A little while later. Can you notice the two poles?
And soon it was around 9 am or so. The water was slowly receding, bit by bit, inch by inch. The tourists also started picking up. Now we could make out that the sea is not deep but very shallow. And the two poles with the flags were more visible, and were clearer.

Now it was around 11 am. So we also decided to walk there. The coastline has moved forward substantially. The path was quite slippery. We removed our chappals along the way. We had folded our pants. And with utmost care, we were walking towards those two pillars. Soon, the water receded completely. And we were also nearing the pillars.

Shop keepers are taking even push-carts to the temple !


Popularity of the temple:-

Do you know why Nishkalank Temple is famous all across the world? Why is this temple popular among the Shiva devotees?
    The interesting fact about this temple is its location. This temple was built in the middle of the sea where the tides are very active. The devotees wait for hours to let the water recede as it is not possible for anyone to enter the temple during high tide. The water usually recedes for only a couple of hours, and it is then that the worshippers pray their beloved deity. The temple again goes under water once the clock strikes 7 in the evening.
    It is a popular belief among the Shiva devotees that the departed souls attain moksha if their ashes are immersed in the water near the temple.
    The flag that is hoisted on the temple is changed once a year on the occasion of the fair only.
    The flag that is of great significance to the temple has never got torn or washed away in the tides, rains or winds till date.
If you are a Shiva devotee, visiting the Nishkalank temple would be an unforgettable and thrilling experience. The temple is in every sense a marvel!

Best time to visit: -

 March to July.

Other Attraction Near temple:-

The Tourist Attraction here namely, Khodiyar Mata Rajpara is near Bhavnagar city, Gopnath Mahadev temple is near Talaja taluka, Uncha Kotda Chamunda Mata is nearMahuva city and Bagdana Bapa Bajrangdasji Maharaj Temple.

How to Reach Nishkalank Mahadev Temple:-

By Air:-

The Ahmedabad city distance is 196 km.

By Rail:-

The Bhavnagar city Railway station is 22 km.

By Road:-

Well-known bus stops are situated at koliyak village and Bhavnagar city.