History, Importance, Timing, Festival Celebration, Interesting Facts, Unique Crystal made Water Bubble Shaped Shivlinga, Parpotiya Mahadev, Dholka, Gujarat
Chandramauleshwar Mahadev also known as Nagnath Mahadev and Parpotiya Mahadev, the ancient historical temple of Lord Shiva, located in Dholka, Ahmedabad district, Gujarat is very unique temple in several terms. It is believed that Pandava had worshipped lord Shiva here during their Agyatvas, lived here in Viratnagar, ancient name of Dholka. Thus this temple is more than 5000 years old. Present temple structure was built by Sayajirao GAekwad of Vadodara, around 500 years ago, now renovation is going on.
Chandramauleshwar Mahadev has unique Swayambhu – Self Manifested Shivlinga made from natural crystal in shape of water bubble, thus temple is well known as Parpotiya Mahadev in locals. This Shivlinga is very unique and only one in across the world, as normally in temple there is one Shivlinga but here in temple there are lots of crystal Shivlingas of water bubble shape. This kind of natural crystal lingam is found only here across world which is nothing but the god grace here. Another key feature of this Shivlinga is you cannot count exact number of Shivlinga and every time you count it and you get different number. Shivling of natural crystal is not found anywhere else in the world as millions of years required in the formation of natural crystal, but by the grace of lord Shiva, this type of natural crystal lingam is found only here in the whole world.
Another important feature of this temple and crystal made water bubble shaped Shivlinga is, in the middle of this Shivalinga, by the grace of Lord Shiva, you can bless with Chandra Darshan and the effect of this Chandra Darshan varies continuously based on movement of moon from Purnima to Amavasya. This Chandradarshan changes at least twice a day. This Chandra Darshan disappears during Amavasya and during entire Shravan month especially and the white part of on Shivlinga becomes black there. Also during deep observation, you can see the jata of lord Shiva and Om on Shivling during full moon day or Poonam.
Lord Shiva holds the moon on his head arising from the ocean churning, thus Lord Shiva is called Chandramauleshwar. The art of moon can be visible on the middle Shivling where chandradarshan continues to happen less and more along with the effect of the moon. Due to the effect on the shivling of such moon, thus this lingam is called Chandramauleshwar. The only Shivlinga on earth which is featured with such art of moon.
Lord Swaminarayan himself came here in Vikram Samvat 1884 and worshiped Lord Chandramauleshwar Mahadev and pronounced the glory of Shiva worship. It is also said the Shri Jagatguru Sankaracharya had also worshipped here in temple during Chaturmas.
Mahashivratri and Sravan month are most auspicious for the worship of Lord Shiva thus it is the best time to visit Chandramauleshwar Mahadev or Nagnath Mahadev or Parpotiya Mahadev. Thousands of people visit during this days and especially on every Monday of Sravan Month.
How to Reach Chandramauleshwar Mahadev or Parpotiya Mahadev, Dholka, Gujarat, India
Chandramauleshwar Mahadev or Parpotiya Mahadev is located at Kalikund Road, Lilajpur, near Sarswati School, Dholka, Gujarat. It is very popular Mahadev temple in Dholka so you can easily reach by private vehicle or by auto. Dholka is located at just 40 km from Ahmedabad and 27 km from Kheda, it is very well connected with other cities of Gujarat via Road, Rail network. Dholka has important bust station and railway junction which connects all nearby cities of Gujarat. Dholka is at just 30 km from Bagodara – important gateway to Saurashtra.