Nishkalank Mahadev Temple, located in Koliyak village near Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, is a unique and famous Shiva temple. This temple is located about one kilometer in the sea from Koliyak beach. The Immaculate Temple Hidden in the Sea: There are very few temples in India that are built inside the sea. Hence this place is considered very special for the devotees. On normal days, the Nishkalank temple is completely submerged, and only its fluttering flag is visible. For this reason it is also called a hidden place of pilgrimage. The temple is only visible when the tide is low and the water recedes. Devotees can then walk about 500 meters from the shore to reach the temple and offer prayers. Legend and Significance of Shivalingas This temple is said to have been built by the Pandavas after the great war of Kurukshetra. Pandavas were very sad because they killed their own brothers Kauravas in the war. He asked Lord Krishna for a way to atone for his sins. Lord Krishna gave him a black flag and a black cow and asked him to follow him. He said that the place where both the flag and the cow would turn white would be the place where their sins would be atoned for. After traveling for a long time, when the Pandavas reached the Koliyaka shore, both the flag and the cow turned white. Pandavas did severe penance for Lord Shiva at that place. Pleased with their devotion, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of five self-manifested Shivalingas. Even today, these five Shivalingas are installed in the temple, and idols of Nandi (Lord Shiva’s bull) are placed in front of them. Freedom from sins through darshan: Worship in the Nishkalank Mahadev Temple is considered to have special significance. Devotees believe that by praying here with a true heart, all sins are destroyed and the mind gets peace. When the Shivalinga appears above the water, a large number of devotees come to the temple. Traditional puja, abhishek (ritual bath of the deity) and offerings are performed at the temple. Located in the middle of the sea, this temple not only symbolizes the glory of Lord Shiva but also tests the patience of the devotees. Devotees who come here hope to get absolution from their sins by having darshan of the deity. Share this story Tags