Nishkalank Mahadev Temple – The Miraculous Temple of Lord Shiva which Disappears only to Reappear !!
Nishkalank Mahadev Temple is one of the wonderful, miraculous and glorious temples in the world situated in Koliyak village at Bhavnagar District of Gujarat. The temple is situated inside the Arabian Sea around 1.5 kilometers from the seashore. The main deity is Lord Shiva known by the name Nishkalank Mahadev (sinless or Pure Form of Lord Shiva).
We would have thought of many Hindu Temples that are built in the weirdest of places –like the ones that are built over the hills and mountains, inside the caves, at the seashore, near the waterfalls etc. But this Nishkalank Mahadev Temple is the unique one and it is built Under the Sea!! This temple is buried in the sea. On a heavy tide day, all that can be seen are the flag and a pillar. It is beyond one’s comprehension that there is a Lord Shiva Temple just under the fierce sea.The temple emerges out during low tides to reveal itself majestically.
As per the Hindu Mythology, this temple was built by the Pandavas and the history of this temple dates back to Mahabaratha era. Pandavas killed all the Kauravas and won the battle. But the Pandavas were worried since they acquired sin or Brahmahathi Dosha for killing their own relatives. So they met Lord Krishna and asked Him for a way to get rid of their sins. Lord Krishna then handed over a black Flag and a Black Cow to them and asked Pandavas to follow it. He said that they will be pardoned at the moment when the flag and the Cow turn White. Lord Krishna also advised them to do penance seeking the presence of Lord Shiva after being pardoned. The Pandava brothers then followed the cow wherever it went and carried the flag. They walked for days and months, to different places and the color did not change. Finally, when they arrived at the Koliyak Beach, both cow and the flag turned white in Colour.
Pandavas were very much excited and all the 5 brothers sat for deep penance and meditated on Lord Shiva. Being impressed by their penance, Lord Shiva decided to show up in the form of Shiva Lingam to each of the brothers. So, as they meditated, each Lingam appeared in front of each brother. So, we could see totally 5 self-manifested (Swayumbu) Lingams at this temple. Pandavas were delighted to see this and they worshipped all the five lingams with great devotion.
The main God, Lord Shiva is known as Nishkalank Mahadev. Nishkalank means, clean, pure, guiltless, clean, etc. It is said that Pandavas established the Nishkalank Mahadev on an Amavasai Day of the Indian calendar month of Bhadrapada. Hence the famous fair popularly known as ‘Bhadravi’ is held on the night of new-moon day in the month of Shravan (August), as per the Indian calendar.
All the 5 Shiva Lingams are spread across a square Platform and each lingam has a Nandhi facing it. There is a pond called Pandavas pond or Pandavas Kund and devotees first wash their hands and legs in that before visiting the shrines of Shiva Linga.
The main temple is located on a small piece of land surrounded by water. The pathway leading to the temple remains submerged under water from late night till noon. During this time, only the 20 feet pillar of the temple and its flag remain visible. So the visiting time for the devotees starts from 1:00 noon till 10:00 PM. During these hours the Sea God clears the path for devotees to visit the temple. At that time, devotees’ young and old, walk all the way to reach this temple. Again after 10 PM the water level increases and the temple will get drowned in the sea water.
Devotees throng this temple during Amavasai (new moon day). We all know that the tides would be very active during the full moon day and the new moon day, yet devotees patiently wait for the tides to retrieve. It is strongly believed that the cremated ones would attain salvation or Moksha by immersing their ashes in this water. Apart from this, the Lord of this temple is worshipped by offering milk, curd, and whole coconut.
The temple festival is initiated by hoisting the temple flag. This is normally done by the clans of Maharajas of Bhavnagar. This flag is on for 364 days and is changed only during the next temple festival. As per the temple records, the temple flag has never fallen down or washed away by the tides. It stands undisturbed by the ferocious tides and has also survived the deadliest earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people in 2001 in Gujarat.
This is a truly a wonder Temple due to the fact that this temple is built in the middle of the sea where the tides are very active. It is still a great Mystery how the Sea God paves way for the devotees to enter into the temple during the certain period of time in a day. So, do visit this temple at least once in a lifetime to experience the spirituality that resonates from this temple!
Note: Though all the days are auspicious to visit this temple, the Best time would be from the month of March to July.
