Sri Nishkalank Mahadev Temple – Koliyak
Sri Nishkalank Mahadev Temple is located at Koliyak
Village near Bhavnagar in Gujarat State.
The temple is dedicated
to five different Swayambhu Shiva linga (Self Incarnated Lingas), each with a
Nandhi or Bull (Shiva's chariot) facing it and arranged on a square platform.
The Pandava brothers worshiped these lingas.
On a sea island about 2
kilometers to the east of Koliyak, there is an idol of Lord Shiva. This temple
is submerged under the waves, and on days with high tides, all that is visible
is a pillar and a flag. Only two visits are permitted each day to this temple.
The building is submerged in the water and is only visible for a brief period
of time. With the aid of a large flag that has been erected at the shrine, one
may locate it. The temple is a true architectural wonder that was created with
careful attention to endure strong waves. Modern engineers and tech gurus are
still at a loss to understand the framework.
The temple legend
originates from the Mahabaratha period. The Pandavas defeated the Kauravas by
killing them all. Knowing they had committed sins by killing their families,
the Pandavas were sad. The Pandavas encountered Lord Krishna in order to
compensate for their crimes. Krishna presents a black cow and a black flag to
cleanse the sins. When the flag and the Cow turn white, he instructs the
Pandavas to follow it because they will all be forgiven. Krishna then advises
them to offer penance to Lord Shiva. The disturbed brothers carried the flag
and followed the cow wherever it went.
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 much
meaning they are clean, pure, guiltless, to cleanse, to purify, etc.
The famous fair known as
'Bhadarvi' is held on the new moon night in the month of Shravan, as per the
Indian calendar. The temple festival is initiated by hoisting the flag by the
Maharajas of Bhavnagar where this flag is on for 364 days and is changed only
during the next temple festival.
Timings: Depends on Tide
(10 am to 2 pm)
How to reach the Temple
28 km from Bhavnagar
Nearby Temples
Bhavnagar, Sree
Takhteshwar Temple – 2 km
Rajpara, Khodiyar Mata Temple – 6 km.
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