Nageshwarnath Temple

Nageshwarnath Temple is a Shiva shrine at Ram ki Paidi in Ayodhya, where Shiva is worshipped in lingam form as Nageshwar Nath, Lord of the Serpents. Its founding is tied to Kush, the younger son of Ram. He is said to have dropped his armlet into the river and recovered it with the help of a Naag-Kanya, a serpent maiden, and to have raised the temple to Shiva in thanks.

The building suffered over the centuries and was restored by Naval Rai in 1750. Worship goes on throughout the year, but the temple is at its busiest on Trayodashi, the thirteenth day of each lunar fortnight, and above all on Mahashivaratri in February or March. On that night devotees keep vigil with chants and offerings, and the Shiva Barat procession carries the deity on a decorated palanquin through the streets of the town to the beat of drums.