Nageshwarnath Temple: Founded by Kush

The story

Kush, the son of Shri Ram, was bathing in the Saryu when his armlet slipped off and was carried away. It was found by a Nag-kanya, a princess of the serpent people who live beneath the waters, and she fell in love with him. She was a devotee of Shiva, and for her Kush built this temple to Shiva as Nageshwarnath, "Lord of the Nagas". Some tellings say that Kush married her.

Why it matters to Ayodhya

Tradition gives this temple a special place in the city's memory. It is said that when Ayodhya later fell into ruin and was overgrown with forest, this shrine alone remained in worship, and that it was by this landmark that King Vikramaditya was able to identify the lost city and the places of Ram's life and restore them. Whether or not history happened quite so, the story explains why Nageshwarnath is counted as the presiding Shiva temple of Ayodhya.

The present building was put up around 1750 by Naval Rai, a minister of Nawab Safdarjung of Awadh.

A city of Ram with a temple of Shiva

Visitors sometimes ask why a Shiva temple is so important in Ram's city. The Ramayana tradition does not separate the two. Ram worships Shiva before crossing to Lanka; Shiva is said to repeat the name of Ram without ceasing. Tulsidas has Ram declare that one who is hostile to Shiva cannot be dear to him. Pilgrims therefore offer water to Nageshwarnath as part of their Ayodhya yatra.

Visiting

• The temple stands right on the ghats at Ram ki Paidi, so it is easily combined with an evening walk and the aarti at Saryu Ghat.
• Mahashivratri brings very large crowds and a procession; Mondays and the month of Sawan are also busy.
• Devotees traditionally bathe in the Saryu and carry river water to pour on the Shivalinga.

Read about Kush's return to Ayodhya on the Luv and Kush page.