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.

Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Mandir In Dwarka Beach

                                                           
                                                  Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Mandir

Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Mandir is on the hillock in the sea. The revered temple is behind the Geeta Mandir, in the west of Dwarka. During the high tide the temple gets surrounded by water, but at the time of ebb when the water level come backs to normal one can reach there very easily. There are steps to get into the temple. Chandra-Mouliswar Shiva is the presiding deity at the core of the temple. The deity form was found at the confluence of Gomati, Ganga and Arabian Sea by the Acharya Jagatguru Sankaracharya himself. In addition, there are 1200 Salgramshilas, 1300 Shiva Lingas, metal forms of 75 Sankaracharyas.

Bhadkeshwar Mahadev temple is situated on a hillock in the sea. The revered temple is located behind the Geeta Mandir towards the west of Dwarka. During the high tide the temple gets surrounded by water and the stairs get submerged, but at the time of ebb when the water level come backs to normal one can reach there very easily.

Chandra-Mouliswar Shiva is the presiding deity worshipped at the core of the temple. Acharya Jagatguru Sankaracharya himself found the deity form at the confluence of Gomati, Ganga and Arabian Sea. In addition to this there are 1200 Salgramshilas, 1300 Shiva Lingas, metal forms of 75 Sankaracharyas making it a memorable experience to get the darshan form the sea and or just watching the sea from the island. A fair takes place here on the day of Mahashivratri and thousands of devotees throng to pay respect to Lord Shiva.

Other Temples in Dwarka:-

Rukmani Devi Temple :-

This small temple, 1.5km north of town, is an architectural masterpiece. Rukmini is the most important of Krishna's 16,108 wives. The temple walls are decorated with beautiful paintings depicting her pastimes with Krishna.

Beyt Dwarka :-

Offshore from Okha, the island of Beyt Dwarka is associated with Lord Krishna. The main temple here, built in the 19th century, has several shrines and images of Lord Krishna and his 56 consorts.

Gita Mandir, Dwarka:-

Located towards the Western Ghats of Dwarka, the amazing Gita temple is situated near the Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Mandir. The temple was built in 1970 by the leading business tycoons of India who are renowned in the world as well “Birlas”. The temple tempts to venture the ethics of the most sanctified book Bhagavad Gita.

 Jageshwar:-

The temples at Jageshwar, in the background of Darukavana, the holy deodar forest, believed by most to house the Nagesh Jyotirlinga.

Gomti Ghat Temples:-

Gomti is one of the most sacred bank rivers of India. It is no less than the holy river Ganaga that falls down from the heaven directly. The river itself endow various Ghats as well as shrines where devotees where the devotees perform plenty of rituals. The river could also be seen from the famous Dwarkadhish Temple. The temple is located at the same place where river Gomti meets the giant deep and blue ocean. The temple is believed to be an image of river Gomti, it is said to be brought on the land from heaven by Vasistha Muni.

Triveni Tirth :-

A river is holy in Hinduism, and the meeting place of 3 rivers-Hiran, Kapil and mythical Saraswati-with the Arabian sea, is triply important. The Triveni tirth is an important place of pilgrimage, specially to immerse ashes and pray for dear departed.

Bhalka Tirth :-

The spot where Lord Krishna was mistaken for a deer and struck by a arrow hile sleeping in a deerskin. It is said Lord Krishna was cremated at Dehotsarga at Triveni Ghat.

Sabha Mandapa:-

 Besides its beautiful temples, Dwarka is also celebrated for the Forts and Monuments in Dwarka. The impressive architectural designs showcased by these structures is a genuine visual treat. A prominent name in the register of Forts and Monuments in Dwarka is Sabha Mandapa in Dwarka. History of Sabha Mandapa,

Rangmati River:-

A definite must include, if you are planning a Tour to Gujarat, Jamnagar promises to charm all the tourists to her land. Rich in history as well as heritage, a Tour to Jamnagar is one of the easiest ways of knowing more about the rich heritage of Gujarat. Well maintained, almost the entirety of the city of Jamnagar is a sight for sore eyes, which has grown around the course of the Rangmati River, Jamnagar.

Bala Hanuman Temple:-

The city of Jamnagar in Gujarat has had an elaborate history that dates back to the time of its foundation in the year 1540 A.D.It is by virtue of this highly illustrated history that Jamnagar offers a wide range of attractions for its tourists. Among theseTourist Attractions in Jamnagar, the Holy Places in Jamnagar are visited by the tourists form various parts of India and the
world. Among these, the Temples in Jamnagar and more importantly, the Bala Hanuman Temple, Jamnagar deserve a special mention.

Rozi and Bedi Ports:-

Jamnagar, a city in the state of Gujarat is located in the Gulf of Kutch. Adinath Mandir sharp line of distinction can be drawnbetween the coastlines of Jamnagar to that of other sea coasts of India. Although the Jamnagar coastline is tidal by nature, yet they offer a few of the most spectacular beaches as well as picnic spots in the country.In addition to this, the presence of as many as 42 islands in this region makes the Gulf one of the most attractive touring destinations in India. One such destination is Rozi and Bedi Ports, Jamnagar.

Lakhota Museum:-

 One of the most striking remnants of the rich past of imperial India, a Tour To Jamnagar is considered as a definite must have, if you are planning a tour schedule to Gujarat. Almost the whole of the former princely state of Jamnagar is still alive, stunning rich glory of the times gone by, standing as a witness to an era of richness which still heavily influences the way of life of not just Jamnagar but the whole of the province of Gujarat. Home to a history, which the city proudly holds even today, the long list of the various Museums Of Jamnagar are led by the exotic beauty of the museums like Lakhota Museums, Jamnagar.

How to Reach:-

By Taxi :-

Transfer taxi services are available.

By Bus :-

 An excellent network of state and national highways runs through the entire state of Gujarat connecting it with other Indian cities. Interstate and local buses connect Dwarka with other cities within and outside the state. Dwarka is on the state highway from Jamnagar to Dwarka. Direct buses available from Jamnagar and Ahmedabad. Dwarka municipality runs a local bus to take the pilgrims across various destinations of religious and tourist prominence. The departure timings of the bus are 8:00 & 14:00 each day while the total time of the journey is around five hours. The ticket prices are Rs. 30 for an adult and Rs. 15 for a child. Tickets can be booked near the vegetable market, which is also the starting point of the journey. Major destinations covered are Nageshwar, Gopi Talao, Bet Dwarka and Rukminimata temple.

ByTrain :-

 Dwarka has its own railway station which connects it to other major cities in India. Regular trains are available from nearby cities such as Jamnagar, Rajkot and Ahmedabad. The best way to reach the place is to board a train to any of the major cities around and take a train to Dwarka from there. Dwarka is a station on the Ahmedabad-Okha broad gauge railway line, with trains connecting it to Jamnagar (137 km), Rajkot (217 km) and Ahmedabad (471 km), and some trains that continue all the way down the coast through Vadodara, Surat, Mumbai, Goa, Karnataka, to the southern tip of India in Kerala.

By Air :-

 Jamnagar is the nearest airport from Dwarka while Rajkot is another option to access the place by air. Government run Indian Airlines and other private airlines such as Jet Airways and Air Deccan operate regular services to both these locations. Ahmaedabad is another major airport which is connected by regular flights from all the major Indian cities.

By Others :-

 Local transport facilities including tongas, auto rickshaws and buses are available from the main town.