Nageshwarnath Temple
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Nageshwarnath Temple is among Ayodhya's most venerable Shiva shrines, standing close to the stepped riverfront of Ram Ki Paidi in the Theri Bazar quarter of the old town. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Nageshwarnath — literally the "Lord of Serpents" (nag = serpent, ishwar/nath = lord) — and its dark stone Shivalinga, garlanded with bilva leaves, flowers and sandal paste, draws a steady flow of devotees who circumambulate the sanctum and pour Sarayu water in abhishekam. For many pilgrims a visit here is the traditional first act of devotion on arriving in Ayodhya, offered to Shiva before turning to the city's Rama shrines, in keeping with the old Kashi-style custom of saluting Mahadev first.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Theri Bazar prasad and snack stalls (temple lanes) – pure-veg kachori-sabzi, pedas and prasad sweets in the immediately surrounding market; confirm freshness on arrival.
- ✦Dahi-jalebi and peda shops near Ram Ki Paidi – Ayodhya's old-town lanes are known for pure-veg dahi-jalebi and khurchan/peda; area-level, ask locally for a busy, well-regarded counter.
- ✦Ram Rasoi / bhandara kitchens (Ayodhya) – community-run pure-vegetarian free-meal seva operates in the temple town; timings and locations vary, so confirm on the day.
- ✦Hanuman Garhi bazaar eateries – a short ride away, a pure-veg cluster of thali and chaat spots serving pilgrims; verify the specific outlet on arrival.
About
Nageshwarnath Temple is among Ayodhya's most venerable Shiva shrines, standing close to the stepped riverfront of Ram Ki Paidi in the Theri Bazar quarter of the old town.
- It is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Nageshwarnath — literally the "Lord of Serpents" (nag = serpent, ishwar/nath = lord) — and its dark stone Shivalinga, garlanded with bilva leaves, flowers and sandal paste, draws a steady flow of devotees who circumambulate the sanctum and pour Sarayu water in abhishekam.
- For many pilgrims a visit here is the traditional first act of devotion on arriving in Ayodhya, offered to Shiva before turning to the city's Rama shrines, in keeping with the old Kashi-style custom of saluting Mahadev first.
- The temple's origins are woven into the Ramayana lineage.
- Popular legend holds that it was established by Kush, the son of Lord Rama: while bathing in the Sarayu, Kush is said to have lost a sacred armlet, which was retrieved and returned by a Naag-Kanya (serpent maiden) devoted to Shiva.
- In gratitude Kush is believed to have raised this shrine to Nageshwarnath, giving the temple its serpent-associated name.
- The site is regarded as one of the few in Ayodhya to have preserved a continuous thread of worship through the ages; the present structure is attributed to the mid-eighteenth century, built around 1750 by Naval Rai, a minister of the Awadh court, who restored and rebuilt the ancient shrine.
- The atmosphere peaks at Mahashivratri, the temple's grandest festival, when an elaborate Shiv Barat — a ceremonial wedding procession of Shiva — winds through the surrounding lanes with music, decorated floats and thousands of devotees, and the shrine keeps near-continuous vigil through the night.
- The month of Shravan (July–August) and Mondays, both auspicious to Shiva, also bring larger gatherings and longer queues for darshan.
- For all visitors, the temple is open to everyone; remove footwear before entering, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and observe quietly during aarti.
- Vegetarian travellers are entirely at home here: Ayodhya is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free holy city, and the Theri Bazar lanes around the temple brim with pure-veg prasad stalls, kachori-sabzi vendors and famed dahi-jalebi and peda shops, making a Shiva darshan and a simple satvik snack a natural pairing.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Kunj Marg, Theri Bazar, near Ram Ki Paidi, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, 224123
How to Reach: At Theri Bazar beside Ram Ki Paidi, about 3 km from Ayodhya Junction (Ayodhya Dham) railway station. From the station an auto-rickshaw or e-rickshaw costs about ₹40–80 and takes 10–15 minutes; the temple is a short walk from the Ram Ki Paidi ghats and roughly 1.5 km from the Ram Janmabhoomi precinct, easily combined on foot with other old-town shrines. Shared e-rickshaws ply the Ram Path and bazaar routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the timings of Nageshwarnath Temple in Ayodhya?
The temple is generally open from early morning to late evening, with reported darshan windows around 5:00 AM to noon and again from about 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The most atmospheric times are the morning and evening aarti. Hours are extended on Mahashivratri and during Shravan, so it is best to confirm the current schedule locally.
Is there an entry fee for Nageshwarnath Temple?
No, entry is free. As an active community Shiva temple in Ayodhya's old town, it is open to everyone regardless of faith, with no admission ticket. There may be a small charge for footwear storage or optional pooja offerings, which is customary at Indian temples.
Who built Nageshwarnath Temple and why is it important?
By popular legend the temple was originally established by Kush, the son of Lord Rama, in gratitude to a serpent maiden (Naag-Kanya) devoted to Shiva who returned his lost armlet from the Sarayu — hence the name Nageshwarnath, "Lord of Serpents." It is regarded as one of Ayodhya's most ancient shrines with a long thread of continuous worship; the present structure dates to around 1750, rebuilt by Naval Rai, a minister of the Awadh court. Many pilgrims offer their first Ayodhya darshan to Shiva here.
How do I reach Nageshwarnath Temple in Ayodhya?
It stands at Theri Bazar beside Ram Ki Paidi, about 3 km from Ayodhya Junction (Ayodhya Dham) railway station. An auto- or e-rickshaw from the station costs around ₹40–80 and takes 10–15 minutes. It is a short walk from the Ram Ki Paidi ghats and about 1.5 km from the Ram Janmabhoomi precinct, so it combines easily on foot with the other old-town shrines.
When is the best time to visit Nageshwarnath Temple?
Mahashivratri (February/March) is the temple's grandest occasion, when a ceremonial Shiv Barat procession fills the surrounding lanes and the shrine keeps night-long vigil. Mondays and the holy month of Shravan (July–August) are also especially auspicious for Shiva and draw larger crowds. For comfortable weather, visit between October and March, timing your darshan for the early-morning or evening aarti.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Nageshwarnath Temple?
Ayodhya is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free holy city, so the whole neighbourhood is pure-veg. The Theri Bazar lanes right around the temple have prasad stalls, kachori-sabzi vendors and the old town's famous dahi-jalebi and peda shops, while community Ram Rasoi and bhandara kitchens offer free satvik meals. As specific stalls change, it is best to pick a busy, well-regarded counter on arrival.
Categories