Neelkanth Mahadev Temple Dausa – A Spiritual Guide

The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple ((नीलकंठ महादेव मंदिर) in Dausa is a very old and sacred temple in Dausa. This temple is known to be one of the five holy Shivling temples of India called the “Panch Mahadev” temples (पंच महादेव मंदिर दौसा). This temple sits majestically on top of a hill overlooking the whole town and is seen to be the guardian of the town of Dausa.

The five temples dedicated to Shiva present in Dausa, Rajasthan are together referred to as the “Panch Mahadev Temples Dausa” (पंच महादेव मंदिर दौसा) and are considered one of the holiest collections of temples by the devotees of Rajasthan. The temples are named Neelkanth Mahadev (नीलकंठ महादेव), Gupteshwar Mahadev (गुप्तेश्वर महादेव), Baijnath Mahadev (बैजनाथ महादेव), Somnath Mahadev (सोमनाथ महादेव) and Sahajnath Mahadev (सहजनाथ महादेव). All five temples have a unique identity of their own from the perspective of mythology, location and spiritual significance. It is said that devotees who visit Dausa make it a point to visit all these five temples on a single pilgrimage to Dausa which makes the trip spiritually very rewarding. Every temple has rich Shaivite heritage with the presence of a Shivalingam, mythology associated with it and a devoted following that has kept them alive since ages.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple Dausa – Temple At a Glance

Story Behind the Name of Neelkanth Mahadev? | Neelkanth Mahadev Dausa

It always helps to be aware of whom you are going to meet at any place of worship. This temple is home to a deity whose story is one of the greatest legends in the whole of Hindu mythology.

Neelkanth (नीलकंठ), literally translated, is a person of the blue neck/throat; Neel=blue and Kanth=neck/throat.
According to legend, the Samundra Manthan (समुद्र मंथन) event happened in which the gods and demons (Devas & Asuras देव और असुर) churned the cosmic ocean for their mutual gain in search of amrit (अमृत) or nectar of immortality. For the task, Mount Mandara acted as the churning rod while Vasuki, the snake king, served as the rope. However, before the amrit could surface, an event even more deadly happened. A deadly poison named Halahala emerged and it had the ability to end all existence as it was known then. None of the Devas or Asuras would accept it; however, it was Lord Shiva who came forth and swallowed the poison.
But he did not consume it into his body; rather, he swallowed it into his throat without letting it pass into his stomach.

From then on, Shiva became known as Neelkanth – the one with a blue throat, symbolizing the sacrifice he had made for the cosmos.
This was not just mythology; it was an ideology. The concept of Neelkanth is about embracing darkness without succumbing to it; about drinking all the poison in the world and using it to defend oneself; about making a sacrifice without losing oneself. As you make your way up 365 stairs and stand in front of the Shivling of Neelkanth Mahadev at Dausa, you stand before that concept made manifest in stone.

Dausa as Dev Nagari — The City of Five Mahadevs

If one wants to know why Neelkanth Mahadev Temple holds such importance, then there is need to know something about the town itself. This town is known as Dev Nagari, which means ‘City of Gods’. This is not some marketing tag line, or some phrase written by tourism boards to promote the place. No, on the contrary, this is what the city has been called since ancient times, owing to one very special reason: Panch Mahadev.

These five Mahadev temples are:

History and Origin of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple Dausa

Thousand Years old Shiva Temple at Devgiri Hill Dausa

The foundations of the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple can be traced back to the earliest medieval times of Rajasthan when researchers believe that the temple’s origins date back to somewhere between the 9th and 11th centuries. Such claims find evidence in the regional chronicles, as well as in various historical pieces that have been mentioned on different occasions in both Dainik Bhaskar and ETV Bharat media sources.

The Legend Behind Devgiri Hill

Not only the structure but the entire area surrounding the temple has a deep spiritual significance. Devgiri is the name of the mountain upon which this sacred building was erected. In India, no hill receives such a name without good reason, since it is a sign of its being an object of religious veneration for ages. Over many generations, residents of Dausa town have worshiped Devgiri, considering it to be the source of divine energy

Royal Roots: First Capital of Dausa

The temple is intrinsically linked to the history of the Kachhwaha dynasty. In 1037 AD, Rajput ruler King Duleh Rai, aka Dhola Rae, conquered this territory, making Dausa his first royal capital prior to moving on to Amber and Jaipur capitals, respectively.

Panch Mahadev Circuit: “Spiritual Fence” of New Capital

The Panch Mahadev Circuit, which includes Neelkanth as its highest temple, was created as the “spiritual fence” for the new capital. According to local historians, the presence of the Neelkanth Shivalinga on Devgiri made the place ideal for building a fortress-city by Duleh Rai.

Architectural Wonder: Temple Without Cement

However, one of the most interesting things about this temple, as well as a matter of tremendous local pride, is the method in which it was built. The Garbhagriha and the Shikhara were built in the classical style of the Nagara architecture, with huge stones carved to fit so perfectly that no cement, lime, or mortar was necessary for fixing them.

For over a thousand years, the dry masonry remained standing strong, facing harsh summer heat, rain showers of the Indian monsoon, and even minor earthquakes, but without ever shifting its position.

Mythological Ties

Like most ancient temples in the Aravallis, there are some local legends regarding the temple being connected to the times of the Mahabharata. For instance, there are certain claims regarding the Pandavas worshipping in this place during their Agyatvas period.

Story behind Shivling of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

The Shivling at Neelkanth Mahadev is not like the usual Shivlings found in temples. Only the upper half of the Shivling is seen protruding from the ground. The other half of the Shivling is buried deep underground, as per popular belief, extending infinitely downwards.
How much does it extend? We do not know.
The significance of this Shivling has been derived from one of the greatest legends associated with Shaivism — the legend of Jyotirlinga, or the infinite pillar of light. Once upon a time when Brahma and Vishnu were disputing the supremacy of each other, Shiva manifested as an infinite pillar of light stretching endlessly upwards and downwards, with neither Brahma nor Vishnu being able to find its topmost or bottommost ends.

The Shivling of Neelkanth Mahadev Dausa does not hold any official place amongst the twelve Jyotirlingas, but the belief of the locals is that whatever is seen at this spot is only the upper part of an entity that extends endlessly downwards. The Shivling, in this context, is not a mere piece of sculpture made from stone. It is a portal to infinity.
It is said that when one stands in front of the Shivling and comprehends its nature, one gets a completely different experience of prayer compared to any other temple.

Temple Architecture of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

The temple stands at Devgiri Hill, which is a small, stable hill within the confines of Dausa City. The hill offers the temple a higher elevation than that of the whole city. The scenery from the top of the hill, encompassing the whole of Dausa City and the plains of eastern Rajasthan, is a great surprise to visitors to the temple.

One of the least acknowledged attributes of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple that is actually one of the most impressive is its architecture, which has received significant praise from scholars who have analyzed it thoroughly.
The temple is built following the Nagara style of architecture, the classic north Indian style of building Hindu temples, distinguished by a characteristic curvilinear shikhara above the central temple room, known as the garbhagriha. It is the predominant architectural style in Rajasthan, and some of the best temples to have been erected using this method have endured for over a thousand years.
What sets apart Neelkanth Mahadev Temple among all others built following the Nagara style is the material the temple has been built from. There is no use of cement, lime, or any other binding material whatsoever.

The garbhagriha has the Shivling, which is submerged partially as mentioned earlier. In front of the Shivling, there is Nandi, the holy bull and the vehicle of Shiva who is ever attentive towards his master like he is in all other Shiva temples.
There is a small temple named ‘Mohan Ji ka Mandir’, meant for Lord Krishna (also known as Mohan), constructed with red sandstone. The temple has beautifully painted arches and pillared corridors, though partially damaged.

The 365 Steps of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

One of the unique aspects of the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, located in Dausa, which locals often mention at the very outset while discussing it, relates to its approach.
One for each day of the year. No matter if this figure was deliberately incorporated into the design plan or if it just so happened like that, this stairway has now become a significant attribute. As per the local lore, making the journey to the temple while pronouncing the name of God Shiva once in every step, or rather in every breath, is also a form of worship. After all, at the end of this process, you practically offer your entire year to the Bhagwan Shiva.

The stairs are made of stone — ancient and smoothed out by numerous feet of the worshippers who have been ascending these stairs over the last few centuries. It is not an easy task, especially not for the elderly people or first-timers who lack experience with such climbs.

But this is what you’ll find out about the process from people who frequently visit: the journey keeps changing on you. The first hundred steps make you feel like you’re exercising. The next hundred, everything around you fades and transforms. The closer you get to reaching the top with your muscles aching, your breathing quickening, the noise around you getting softer and softer, another change occurs. Concentration. Focus. An inevitable silencing of thoughts. That’s why the followers tell you that climbing is part of darshan. The climb is the darshan, which begins with the first 365 steps under the doorway.

For elderly visitors and those with physical limitations:

For elderly pilgrims and physically impaired people: Help is offered from the bottom of the steps. Make sure to have proper shoes, bring water (which should be consumed before the climb), and take things slow according to your own physical abilities. Time is not an issue because the Lord has waited for a millennium; he could wait a few extra minutes.

Rituals and Worship at Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple Timings — Darshan & Aarti

Festivals at Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Mahashivratri

The festival of Mahashivratri at the shrine of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in Dausa is an event that has been observed by this city for ages now, but on a progressively larger scale.
Each year, the temple as well as the Devgiri hill get decorated with grand jhankiyan (tableau). Large processions are seen moving around the town as well as up the hill. All night prayers are held inside the temples by the priests. Hundreds of devotees ascend the 365 steps, some carrying the kanwar while others reciting the mantra Om Namah Shivaya each time they take a step.

Sawan Month and the Lakhi Mela — A Fair Worth Coming For

While Mahashivratri can be said to be the most sacred event, the Lakhi Mela held during the month of Sawan at Neelkanth Mahadev can certainly be said to be the most amazing. The Lakhi Mela is an annual fair conducted during the month of Sawan, which generally falls in the months of July-August of the Gregorian calendar. The Lakhi Mela gets its name because of the number of devotees who come to visit the temple for the event – lakhs of devotees. This event attracts lakhs of pilgrims to the temple, and is considered one of the biggest events of the year in Dausa district.
During this time:
· The kanwar yatras arrive at the location
· There is an abhishek ceremony every day
· The 365 stairs at the temple are always crowded with devotees
· Even the entire city becomes festive in spirit

Other Festivals Celebrated

• Monday – Mondays belong to Lord Shiva in the entire Hindu religion. Every Monday is celebrated with great devotion by the followers in the temple.

• Sawan Shivratri – Apart from the Mahashivratri, there is a special day celebrated on Shivratri of the Sawan month.

• Hariyali Amavasya – Celebrated in the Sawan month with special prayers.

• Shravan Somvar (Sawan Mondays) – All Mondays of the Sawan month are celebrated as important days and there are huge gatherings in the temple.

• Diwali and Annakuta – Celebrated with special lights and offerings.

• Ram Navami and Janmashtami – These festivals are also celebrated at this temple, especially at Mohan Ji temple on the hilltop comp

How to Reach at Neelkanth Mahadev Temple Dausa – Yatra Guide

The temple is located on Devgiri Hill within Dausa city — which makes reaching it significantly easier than most hilltop temples in India. Dausa city itself is very well connected.

Getting to the Temple Within Dausa

From Dausa city center or railway station, auto-rickshaws are the most common way to reach the base of Devgiri hill. The hill is within the city itself, so no significant transport is needed once you are in Dausa.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Neelkanth Mahadev Temple