Nishkalank
Mahadev Temple in Koliyak, Bhavnagar, Gujarat is full of wonders and
awe. This temple is buried inside the sea. On a heavy tide day, all that
can be seen are the flag and a pillar. It is beyond ones comprehension
that there is a Lord Shiva Temple just under the fierce sea. This temple
is still in use, and people visit this place on foot! The temple has 5
distinct swayumbu Shiva lingams inside. This is definitely one of the
best spiritual destinations!
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.
one of the lingas
The Main Deity
one of the 5 lingas
the remaining 2 lingams
Now
the island is under heavy tide. This 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.
 |
| water |
retrieving
temple inside the water!
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.
Please visit this temple at least ones in a lifetime to experience the
spirituality that resonates from this temple!
May Lord Shiva Bless us all with Happiness, Prosperity, and Health & Wisdom!!