Aundha Nagnath Temple is an ancient Shiva temple, where shiva is worshipped as Nageshwar is considered to be one of the Jyotirlinga, located at Aundha Nagnath in Hingoli district of Maharashtra, India.
Shrine’s History
Aundha Nagnath is supposed to be the eighth of the twelve jyotirlingas in India, an important place of pilgrimage. The present temple is said to have been built by the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty and dates to 13th century.The first temple is said to be from the time of the Mahabharata and is believed to have been constructed by Yudhishthira, eldest of the Pandavas when they were expelled for 14 years from Hastinapur.It has been stated that this temple building was of seven-story before it was sacked by Aurangzeb.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
The temple is also closely associated with lives of Namdev, Visoba Khechara and Jnanesvar, the saints revered by the Varkari sect of Hinduism. Namdev met his guru, Visoba Khechara, at Aundha Nagnath Temple. He was advised to visit this temple by Jnanesvar. According to the text Jñāndev Gatha, Jñāneśvar and Muktai instruct Namdev to journey to the temple of Aundha Nagnath in search of a proper guru. In the temple, Namdev finds Visoba resting with his feet on the lingam, the symbol of Shiva. Namdev reproached him for having insulted Shiva. Visoba asked Namdev to place his feet elsewhere and wherever Namdev placed Visoba’s feet, a lingam sprang up. Thus, through his yogic powers, Visoba filled the whole temple with Shiva-lingam and taught Namdev the omnipresence of God.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The temple covers an area of 669.60 sqm mt (7200 sq ft) and height of 18.29 m (60 ft)The total area in which temple campus is spread is about 60,000 so. ft. Apart from the religious significance, the temple itself is worth seeing for its unbelievably beautiful carvings. The present temple is Hemadpanti architecture. A large number of pilgrims visit this temple on Maha Shivaratri and Vijayadashami.
The main deities are underground. You will have to go down into a chamber to have darshan.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Mumbai-Aundha, 579 km, Nagpur-Aundha, 359 km, Aurangabad – Aundha, 210 km, Parbhani – Aundha, 50 km. State Transport buses ply from Nanded, Parbhani, Chondi,Hingoli to Aundha.
By Rail
Nearest Railway Station : Parbhani Railway Station
By Air
Nearest Airport : Aurangabad Airport
Shrine Timings
04.00 Temple doors open
04.05 Pooja and Rudrabhishek
12.00 Aarti
16.00 Shrisnan
20.30 Shejaarti
21.00 Temple doors close
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Mahashivratri
Extra Information About this Shrine
Nearby Places to Visit Nanded, a major Sikh Pilgrimage Center, 61 kilometres by road from Aundha, is a home to Sach Khand Huzur Sahib Gurudwara where Guru Gobind Singh’s ashes are buried. The Pandav Raja Temple is another popular excursion. It is said that the temple rotated around itself when Saint Namdeo performed kirtan. Namdev hails from the nearby Bamni Village. Namdev’s Guru ‘Visoba Khechar’ also hailed from Aundh Nagnath.
Best time to visit Aundha Nagnath Anytime during the year
Temperature During Summer 24° to 39° C During Winter 12° to 30° C