Nageshwarnath Temple, Ayodhya - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Nageshwarnath Temple

At a distance of 3 Km from Ayodhya Junction, Nageshwarnath Temple is a Hindu temple situated at Ram Ki Paidi in Ayodhya. Located adjacent to the Theri Bazaar, Nageshwarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is also known as Nageshwarnath or Lord of Snakes. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple houses a beautiful Shiva lingam. It is one of the popular temples in Ayodhya, and among the must-include places in Ayodhya darshan packages.

History & Mythology of Nageshwarnath Temple

Nageshwarnath Temple is believed to have been established by Kush, the younger son of Lord Rama. According to a legend, Kush lost his armlet while taking a bath in the Sarayu River. He tried to find it but did not succeed. It was finally retrieved by Naag-Kanya, who was a devotee of Lord Shiva. As a gesture of gratitude, Kush built Nageshwarnath Temple. It is believed that the temple survived in good shape until the reign of Chandragupta Vikramaditya even though the rest of the city was turned into ruins. It was, however, rebuilt by Naval Rai, a minister of Safdar Jung in 1750.

Architecture of Nageshwarnath Temple

The Sri Nageshwarnath Temple located in Ayodhya exemplifies the Nagara architectural style, recognized for its lofty structures and elaborate carvings. The temple features intricate carvings and detailed sculptures adorning its walls and pillars, illustrating mythological stories, celestial beings, and various religious themes. Additionally, the design of the temple includes elements that symbolize the human body, with the main gate representing the feet, the entrance porch symbolizing the hands, the prayer hall embodying the abdomen and chest, and the garbhagriha (sanctum) signifying the head. Within the sanctum sanctorum of the temple resides a magnificent Shiva lingam. The temple complex also contains smaller shrines dedicated to different gods and goddesses.

Festivals of Nageshwarnath Temple

The primary festivals observed at the Nageshwarnath Temple in Ayodhya are Maha Shivaratri and Trayodashi, which is the thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight. These festivities involve devotees coming to the temple, offering prayers, performing rituals, and participating in a grand Shiva Barat procession. Additionally, other festivals celebrated in Ayodhya, although not specifically at the Nageshwarnath Temple, include Shravan Jhoola Mela, Parikrama Mela, Ram Navmi, and Ram Vivah.

Nageshwarnath Temple Dress Code & Other Restrictions

The Nageshwarnath Temple in Ayodhya has a dress code that mandates visitors to don modest and traditional clothing. Men are expected to wear long pants along with shirts or kurtas, whereas women should opt for sarees, salwar kameez, or other forms of Indian attire that adequately cover the shoulders and knees. It is advisable to refrain from wearing Western garments such as shorts, skirts, and sleeveless tops.

Generally, non-Hindus are permitted to visit the Nageshwarnath Temple in Ayodhya. This temple is regarded as a site of spiritual importance for everyone and welcomes those who are interested in experiencing and understanding the religious culture of the region.

Nageshwarnath Temple Timings

Monday: 5 AM - 8 PM, Aarti: 5:30 AM & 7:30 PM
Tuesday: 5 AM - 8 PM, Aarti: 5:30 AM & 7:30 PM
Wednesday: 5 AM - 8 PM, Aarti: 5:30 AM & 7:30 PM
Thursday: 5 AM - 8 PM, Aarti: 5:30 AM & 7:30 PM
Friday: 5 AM - 8 PM, Aarti: 5:30 AM & 7:30 PM
Saturday: 5 AM - 8 PM, Aarti: 5:30 AM & 7:30 PM
Sunday: 5 AM - 8 PM, Aarti: 5:30 AM & 7:30 PM

Nageshwarnath Temple Entry Fee

Entry is Free

Best Time to Visit Nageshwarnath Temple

The optimal time to visit the Nageshwarnath Temple in Ayodhya is from October to March. This season offers a pleasant climate, making it perfect for exploring the sacred site and appreciating the tranquil atmosphere of the temple. For those seeking to experience the temple at its most spiritually vibrant, it is advisable to plan your visit during Maha Shivaratri. The summer months are characterized by dry, sunny, and humid conditions, so it is best to avoid traveling to Ayodhya during this period. The monsoon season brings moderate rainfall, which is also worth considering.

How to Reach Nageshwarnath Temple

About 151 Km from Ayodhya, Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow is the nearest airport that has direct flights from all major cities in India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Patna, Bangalore, Raipur, Patna, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad & Pune. Ayodhya Junction Railway Station is connected by daily trains to the cities in Uttar Pradesh like Lucknow, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, and Delhi along with Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bairelly, Jamshedpur, Chhapra, Farrukhabad, Chennai, Rameshwaram, Darbhanga, Ahmedabad, Muzaffarpur, Surat, Kolkata, Jammu Tawi, Kota, Patna, Bhopal, Dhanbad, Kota, Surat, Udaipur, and Jaipur. Ayodhya is well connected by bus from the neighboring cities in the state. One can reach Nageshwarnath Temple by hiring a cab, or an auto-rickshaw from all parts of the city of Ayodhya.