Nagchandreshwar Mandir: There are many temples of Nagas in India, one of them is Nagachandreshwar in Ujjain, it is located on the third floor of the famous Mahakal temple in Ujjain. Its special thing is that this temple is opened for darshan only on Nagpanchami (Shravan Shukla Panchami). It is believed that Nagraj Takshak himself lives in the temple.
Specialty of Nagachandreshwar Temple:
The Nagachandreshwar temple has a wonderful statue of the 11th century, in which Shiva-Parvati is sitting on the seat of the serpent spreading fun. It is said that this statue was brought here from Nepal. Apart from Ujjain, there is no such statue anywhere in the world. This is the only temple in the whole world, in which Lord Bholenath is seated on the snake bed instead of Lord Vishnu. The ancient idol installed in the temple along with Shiva, Ganeshji and mother Parvati is enthroned on the Dashamukhi snake bed. Bhujang is wrapped in Shivasambhu’s neck and arms.
Why Nagachandreshwar Temple opens only once a year?
Sarpraj Takshak did severe penance to convince Shivshankar. Bholenath was pleased with penance and he gave the boon of immortality to Takshak Nag, the king of snakes. It is believed that from then on, the Takshak Raja started residence in the lifetime of the Lord. But before living in Mahakal forest, he had the intention that there should not be any disturbance in his solitude, so it is the practice for years that he is available only on the day of Nagpanchami. The remaining time in his honor is that the temple remains closed according to the tradition.
Nagachandrasreshwar Temple Open Time:
The doors of the temple are opened at 12 o’clock at night to see Lord Nagachandreshwar, once a year on Nagpanchami. The next day, aarti is again performed in the temple at 12 o’clock on the night of Nagpanchami and after that the doors of the temple are closed again. Nagachandreshwar Temple is worshiped and arranged by the ascetics of Mahanirvani Akhara.
