Ujjain Nagchandreshwar Temple: The doors of Nagchandreshwar opened at 12 midnight in Ujjain, crowd of devotees gathered to have darshan
2 min read
File photo of Nagchandreshwar temple in Ujjain
Highlights
Rare idols of Lord Shiva and Parvati were brought from Nepal. The doors of Nagchandreshwar temple open only once a year. The sculpture in the temple is unique and has a special place in architecture.
Naiduniya representative, Ujjain. The temple of Lord Nagchandreshwar situated on the top of the world famous Jyotirlinga Mahakaleshwar temple was opened for visitors on the occasion of Nag Panchami at 12 midnight on Thursday. Darshan can be done till 12 midnight on Friday.
According to tradition, this temple is opened only once a year on Nagpanchami. The temple is very important from the viewpoint of sculpture and scriptures. There are 2 idols of Lord Nagchandreshwar in the temple. In the front portion, there is an idol of Lord Shiva-Parvati seated on a serpent seat decorated with 7 hoods.
The idols were brought from Nepal to Ujjain
It is believed that this idol made in the 11th century was brought to Ujjain from Nepal. During the renovation of the temple in the Maratha period, it was installed in the front of the Nagchandreshwar temple. On Nagpanchami, devotees first visit this idol. After this, they visit Lord Nagchandreshwar seated in the form of Shivalinga in the sanctum sanctorum and then leave for their destination.
The only idol of the world which is not seen anywhere else
According to tradition, the worship system of Nagchandreshwar temple is under the control of Mahanirvani Akhara. The Gadipati Mahant Vineet Giri Maharaj of the Akhara says that the idol of Lord Nagchandreshwar situated in the front of the temple is very rare. This is the only Shri Vigraha in which the entire Shiv family including Lord Shiva, Parvati, Ganesh, Kartikeya are seated on a serpent pose. Lord Shiva’s vehicle Nandi and Mother Parvati’s vehicle lion are also visible. Sun and moon are also inscribed above. Cobras are wrapped around Lord Shiva’s neck. This type of idol is not seen anywhere else in the world.
An important place from the point of view of sculpture
Archaeologist Dr. Raman Solanki of Vikram University said that the temple of Lord Nagchandreshwar situated on the peak of Mahakaleshwar is an important place rich in terms of craftsmanship and scriptures. From the entrance of this temple to the first and second floor, there are many such statues which are unmatched. Such statues are not seen anywhere else in the world. The depiction of the Shiv family on the serpent worshipped in the form of Nagchandreshwar is amazing and unimaginable. Worship of Nagchandreshwar in the form of Shivling is a popular tradition of Malwa.
