The Ancient Lingam Installed by Lord Rama's Son
While Ayodhya is celebrated worldwide as the city of Lord Rama, its oldest surviving historic temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Nageshwarnath Temple, situated on the banks of Ram Ki Paidi, holds a mythological pedigree dating back to Prince Kush, the son of Lord Rama.
The Legend of the Golden Armlet
According to local sthala purana, while bathing in the Saryu River, Prince Kush lost his precious golden armlet. The celestial jewelry was retrieved from the riverbed by a beautiful Naga maiden named Kumudvati, the sister of snake king Kumud. Kumudvati fell in love with Prince Kush. Because Kumudvati was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, Prince Kush erected this grand Shiva temple in her honor, establishing peace between the Solar Dynasty and the Naga clan.
Historical Continuity & Mahashivratri Grandeur
When Ayodhya fell into decline and dense forest covered the kingdom prior to King Vikramaditya’s arrival, the Nageshwarnath Temple remained the sole landmark that allowed Vikramaditya to identify and reconstruct the sacred shrines of Ayodhya. During Mahashivratri, hundreds of thousands of devotees arrive to offer holy Saryu water (Jalabhishekam) on the sacred Shivalingam.