Quote:
Originally Posted by vgane
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Where is this located
buried inside the sea. On a heavy tide day, all that can be seen are the flag and a pillar. It is beyond ones
comprehension that there is a Lord Shiva Temple just under the fierce sea. This temple is still in use, and
people visit this place on foot! The temple has 5 distinct swayumbu Shiva lingams inside. This is definitely
one of the best spiritual destinations!
The following temple story dates back to Mahabaratha era. Pandavas killed all the Kuravas and won the
battle. Pandavas were grief stricken knowing they acquired sins for killing their own relatives. In order to
find redemption for their sins, Pandavas met Lord Krishna. To remove the sins, Krishna hands over a black
Flag and a Black COW. He asks the Pandavas to follow it, when both Cow and flag turns white, they all will
be pardoned. Krishna also advises them to do penance to lord Shiva, after that. The angst stricken brothers
followed the cow wherever it went and carried the flag. They walked for days, to different places and the
color did not change. Finally, when they arrived at the Koliyak Beach, both cow and the flag color turned to
white. Pandavas were exalted. And all the 5 brothers sat for deep penance, meditated on lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva impressed by the brothers showed up in lingam form to each brother. As they meditated, each
lingam appeared in front of each brother. In total there were 5 (Swayumbu) lingams that showed up on their
own. Pandavas were delighted to see this and they worshiped all the five lingams with great devotion. Lord
Shiva here is known as Nishkalan Mahadev. ‘Nishkalank’ has many meaning they are clean, pure, guiltless, to
cleanse, to purify, etc. It is said that Pandavas established Nishkalank or Nakalank Mahadev on a Amavasai of
the Indian calendar month of Bhadarva. The famous fair popularly known as ‘Bhadarvi’ is held on the no moon
night in month of Sharvan (August), as per the Indian calendar. An idol of Lord Shiva was established in an
island, over the sea about 3 km to the east of Koliyak. Each lingam has a Nandhi facing it. The lingams are
spread across a square Platform. There is a pond called Pandavas pond and devotees’ first wash their hands
and legs and only then they visit the Lord Shivas shrines.
More information and photoes at: Temple Stories: Nishkalank Mahadev Temple, Koliyak