Neeleshwar is one of the forms of Lord Shiva, the god of transformation. Long, long ago, when the world was not yet formed and time itself was a child, the gods and demons were searching for eternal life. They had heard that the nectar of immortality was hidden in a golden vase at the bottom of the infinite Ocean of Milk , from which the new creation was soon to emerge. So they up-ended the Cosmic Mountain to serve as a churning stick, and around the mountain they wound the Primal Serpent to serve as a rope. Then the gods took the head of the serpent and pulled, and the demons took its tail and pulled, and so they churned.

As the placid ocean frothed and bubbled, there rose to its surface a massive, venomous jet of poison, the accumulated negativity of past time. None of the gods was able to disperse the toxic wave, except for the mighty Shiva who stepped forward and swallowed the poison which was so strong it turned his neck, and some say his whole body, blue. From then on the supreme god has been known as Neeleshwar, the Blue Lord.

Once its poison had been released, the ocean was free to create, and began to yield its manifold treasures, which included Dhanvantari, physician of the gods and father of Ayurveda, who does indeed bear the nectar of immortality; Lakshmi, the Goddess of Abundance, and Kamadhenu, the Magical Cow that grants all wishes.

Neeleshwar Hermitage is a place where you can gain deep rest, release the burden of the past and rejuvenate. A place of new beginnings, Neeleshwar provides a harmonious and tranquil setting in which to take stock of life’s journey and take steps to enhance your growth.

Those who are aware that there is more to life than its apparent surface are naturally drawn to India, and those who are drawn to India will soon be drawn to Neeleshwar.

Neeleshwar Hermitage, for the rest of your life…