On the way from Gomati Dwarka to Bait Dwarkas nearly 13 miles in the north east Shri Nageshwarnath Jyotirlinga is situated. According to the Shiv Purana, there was a she-demon by the name Daruka in ancient times. Before of Parvati’s blessings had turned proud and obstinate. A mighty demon named Daruk was her husband. He had collected a huge army of demons and had started harassing all the innocent people there. He would destroy all the religious sacrifices performed there. On the western bank of the ocean, there was a forest, which was abundant with all the good things. The forest was spread across 192 kms. Wherever Daruka would go, the forest with all its good things would go along with her.

Goddess Parvati had appointed Daruka as the caretaker of the forest. Daruka and her husband Daruk both would stay there and terrify people. People tired of this terror went to Maharishi Aurva and told them their sorrow. Aurva, for the security of the refugees, cursed the demons that if they would harass people or destroy religious sacrifice they would instantly die. When the gods came to know about this, they attacked the demons. Even though the demons would kill the gods, they became frightened because, they could be killed because of the curse of the sage. If they did not kill, they would get defeated. Seeing the state of the demons, Daruka said that because of the blessing of Bhavani, he could take the forest whenever he wanted. He went and entered the sea. Now all the demons started residing in the sea and started harassing creatures there also.

Many a boats having many people seated came there. All the demons caught hold of the people and put them in prison. Amongst the prisoners, there was a prisoner by the name Supriya. He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. He advised all prisoners to recite the mantra ‘AUM NAMAHA SHIVAYA.’ When Daruk came to know about this, he ran to kill Supriya. Supriya out right started to call out to Lord Shiva the Saviour. Instantly Lord Shiva appeared through a small hole and a beautiful temple with walls was formed. In the middle of the temple, a lustrous Jyotirlinga was installed. Lord Shiva destroyed all the demons and saved the life of Supriya. Daruka started praying to Goddess Parvati for mercy. The Goddess was pleased with her devotion and blessed her. In this way, Lord Shiva stays and resides there eternally by the name of Nageshwar and Goddess Parvati by the Nageshwari. According to the Shiv Purana who ever with devotion reads the birth and greatness of this Jyotirlinga. He shall be getting all material happiness and shall get divine status in the end

The architectural beauty of the Nagesh Temple is simply exquisite. This temple built with stones during the Pandava period is strong. The four walls of the temple are very strong and the corridors are large. The court hall is supported by eight pillars. It is oval shaped. Both this and the Nagesha Lingamurthy is located in the small internal Garbhagriha.

Here, there is no Nandi idol in front of Mahadeva. There is separate Nandikeshwara temple back of the main temple. On all the four sides of the main temple, smaller temples for the twelve JyotirLingas are constructed. Apart from these, VedavyasaLinga, bhandareshwar, Nilakanteshwar, Ganapati, Dattatreya, Muralimanohar, Dasavatar temple and idols etc., are there. In all, there are 108 Shiva temples and 68 shrines are located here.

The structure of the Naganath temple is very beautiful. Inside it, there is another shrine called Runamochan teerth. Both these shrines are called “Mother-in-law- Daughter-in-law” shrines. Every 12 years, at the time of Kapila Shashti, kashi Ganga offering as “Padarpan” is performed. During this the water in the teerth kund looks crystal clear. Again at a specific time it becomes ‘Shivala Yukt”.