Nag Vasuki Temple Prayagraj

Nag Vasuki Temple in Prayagraj is a shrine for the Snake God. Nag Vasuki is considered as king of serpents. As the legend goes, during Sagar Manthan (सागर मंथन – sea churning), Nagraj Vasuki offered himself to be used as a rope around Mandarachal mountain to churn the Kshir Sagar (क्षीर सागर). Located almost six kilometer from the railway station, Nagvasuki Temple stands on a high cliff overlooking the Ganga, close to the confluence. It’s one of the ancient most temples in Prayagraj and Nag Vasuki, the presiding deity, holds significance as one of the seven ‘Tirtha Devas’ (gods). Tirtha Devas (तीर्थ देव) are the most revered gods in a pilgrimage site. The seven ‘Tirtha Devas’ in Prayagraj are Triveni Sangam (त्रिवेणी संगम), Veni Madhav (वेणी माधव), Som (सोम), Rishi Bhardwaj (ऋषि भारद्वाज), Nag Vasuki (नाग वासुकी), Akshayavat (अक्षयवट) and Sheshanag (शेषनाग). A Sanskrit shloka (श्लोक) says: “Trivenim, Madhavam, Somam, Bhardwajam ch Vasukim, Vande Akshayavatam, Shesham Prayagam Tirthanayakam”. As per Skand Puran, Nag Vasuki Temple is said to be the Naghrid Tirtha. Though Nag Vasuki Temple traces its roots to 10th century but the present temple structure, built by Maratha king Shridhar Bhonsle, belongs to 18th century. Its shikhara, colored in yellow and orange, can be spotted from a distance. A fine example of medieval period Hindu temple architecture, Nag Vasuki Temple in Prayagraj is one of the two temples (another in Nasik) where special religious rituals are performed to obviate the ill-effects of 'Kaal Sarpa Dosha', arising out of unique positions of the ‘grahas’ (planets) in a person’s horoscope.