Many temples of Lord Shiva in India are famous for their unique beliefs, but the about 5000 year old Gangeshwar Mahadev temple located in Diu near Gujarat is different. Here the Shivlinga of Lord Shiva is not located inside any grand temple, but among the rocks on the sea shore. When the tide comes in the sea, the waves reach these Shivalingas and perform Jalabhishek on them.
Located in Fudam village, about 3 kilometers from Diu, this temple is known for religious faith as well as natural beauty. The most popular belief associated with the temple connects it to the Mahabharata period and the five Pandavas. It is said that during the exile, Pandavas had established five Shivlingas here for the worship of Lord Shiva.
Where is Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple?
Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple is situated on the banks of the Arabian Sea in Fudam village of Diu. Its distance from Diu city is said to be about 3 kilometers. On reaching the temple, its form built among the rocks on the sea shore is visible. This place is different from other Shiva temples because there is no long distance between the temple and the sea. Shivalingas are situated directly on the sea shore and when the tide comes, sea water reaches them.
How many Shivalingas are there in the temple?
The biggest identity of Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple is the five Shivalingas present here. According to religious belief, these five Shivalingas were established by the five Pandava brothers. Another special thing about them is that all the Shivalingas are not of the same size. These appear in order from largest to smallest. This shape is seen to be linked to the stature of the Pandava brothers. It is said that the five brothers made separate Shivalingas for themselves and worshiped Lord Shiva. For this reason, the five Shivalingas present here are also considered the symbols of Pandavas.
Whose Shivalinga is the biggest?
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Among the five Shivalingas present in the temple, the largest Shivalinga is considered to be that of Bhima. According to the legend, Bhima was the most powerful and had the largest body among the five Pandavas. On the basis of this belief, it is said that the Shivalinga established by him was also the largest. The size of the remaining Shivlingas is considered smaller respectively.
Why did Pandavas install Shivalinga?
The most popular story related to Gangeshwar temple is of Pandavas of Mahabharata. During the exile, Pandavas used to worship Lord Shiva while staying at different places. When he reached this seaside area, he decided to worship Lord Shiva here. After this, the five brothers installed five Shivlingas and worshiped them regularly.
Sea performs Jalabhishek of Mahadev
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The most unique thing about Gangeshwar Temple is the natural Jalabhishek that happens here. The temple is so close to the sea that when the tide comes, the sea waves reach the Shivalingas. As the sea water rises, the Shivlinga starts sinking in water. After some time, when the ebb comes and the sea water recedes, the Shivalingas become visible again. This view is very special for the devotees.
Are all five Shivalingas visible all the time?
No. The ebb and flow of the sea affects the view here. During high tide, Shivalingas can get submerged in sea water, whereas during low tide, they become clearly visible after the water recedes. Therefore, if a person wants to see the five Shivalingas closely, he should plan to reach the temple during low tide. It would be better to get information about the tide time of that day before travelling.
What does the name Gangeshwar mean?
The name Gangeshwar is associated with Lord Shiva and Mother Ganga. Gangadhar is also a famous name of Lord Shiva in Hindu religion. According to religious legend, when Mother Ganga descended on earth, Lord Shiva held her in his locks to stop her fast flow. After this, the stream of Ganga gradually came to the earth. Due to this relation of Lord Shiva with Ganga, he is called Gangadhar. The name Gangeshwar is also understood to be linked to this Shiva-Ganga relationship.
When should one visit Gangeshwar Temple?
The rule of visiting Gangeshwar Temple is more related to the tides of the sea than the weather. If you want to see the Shivalingas clearly then it would be better to choose the time around low tide. Special caution should be taken on rocky paths during rain or bad sea weather. One should also avoid going too close to the sea, as the water level may rise suddenly.
How to reach Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple?
- Nagwa Airport of Diu is the main air option. From the airport one can reach Diu city and then Fudam village by road.
- There is Veraval railway connection for passengers traveling by train to Diu. From there Diu can be reached by road.
- Diu can be reached by road from many cities of Gujarat. After reaching Diu one has to go towards Fudam village. The temple is about 3 kilometers from Diu city.