Nagvasuki Temple

Introduction

The Nagvasuki Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vasuki, the king of serpents. It is located in the holy city of Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The temple is situated on the banks of the sacred river Ganges and is considered to be one of the most important serpent temples in India.

Importance for Hindus

The Nagvasuki Mandir is a sacred and important Hindu temple for a number of reasons. First, it is one of the few temples in India where devotees can pray to Lord Vasuki to be relieved of the effects of Kaal Sarpa Dosha, a difficult astrological influence. Kaal Sarpa Dosha is believed to be caused by the placement of all seven planets in the birth chart on one side of the Rahu-Ketu axis. It is believed that Kaal Sarpa Dosha can cause a variety of problems in a person’s life, including financial difficulties, health problems, and relationship problems.

Second, the Nagvasuki Mandir is believed to be the place where Lord Vasuki rested after churning the ocean of milk. This was a special event mentioned in the Vedic period and is known as the ‘Samudra Manthan’. In the Samudra Manthan, the gods and demons worked together to churn the ocean of milk in order to obtain the nectar of immortality. Lord Vasuki used his body as the churning rope and helped to churn the ocean of milk.

• It is said that god is in the form or state of ‘Ayuddha-आयुध’ or ‘Weapon-​शस्त्र’ in Nagvasuki temple.
• It is believed he safeguards people of prayagraj from sufferings and pain.
• Temple’s Purohit Shyam dhar Tripathi Maharaj says the ancient temple was vanished in ganga river and from the found remains, this new temple was built. Main found statues were lord ganesha and Asi Madhav ji which were re-established in the temple.
• This temple is also known as Asi Madhav and is one of the 12 Madhav temples in and around the city.

History and Significance

During the reign of Aurangzeb, when Mughals were destroying Hindu temples, the Nagvasuki Temple stood resilient. Legend has it that when Aurangzeb attempted to destroy the temple, a ferocious form of Nagvasuki appeared, preventing even a scratch on the temple’s wall.

The Padma Purana narrates the story of how Lord Nagvasuki came to reside at this location. After the Samudra Manthan, Lord Nagvasuki, exhausted and injured, sought a place to rest. On Lord Vishnu’s advice, he bathed in the cool waters of River Saraswati in Prayagraj and found solace. When he was about to leave, sages and demigods requested him to stay. He agreed with certain conditions, including that devotees must take a dip in the Triveni Sangam and worship him on Naga Panchami during the Sawan month.

The temple’s idol is believed to have been established by the Mansaputras of Lord Brahma.

Architecture and Layout

The Nagvasuki Mandir is built in the traditional Hindu architectural style. The temple has a large central hall with a sanctum sanctorum at the rear. The sanctum sanctorum houses a black stone idol of Lord Vasuki with five hoods and four coils who is a symbol of hope, protection, and spiritual awakening for countless devotees. The temple also has a number of smaller shrines dedicated to other deities, including Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesh, Goddess Parvati, and Bhishma Pitamah.

Nag Panchami Festival

The annual Nag Panchami festival held in July/August sees huge crowds and festivities at the temple. Devotees stand in long queues waiting for hours to get darshan of the Vasuki deity and offer prayers. The temple priests perform elaborate rituals and aartis during Nag Panchami. Thousands take a holy dip in the Ganga river before visiting the temple. Some also take dips in the nearby Sangam confluence. Married women keep fasts and offer milk, flowers, fruits and coins to the serpent god. Some devotees also offer milk directly into the idol’s mouth from a silver bowl. The fervour and gaiety spread over to the streets with people dressed in bright attire.

How to Reach the Temple

Nagvasuki Temple is situated in Nagvasuki area of Prayagraj, about 7.4 kms from Allahabad Junction railway station. From the railway station, you can take an auto-rickshaw, taxi or local bus to reach the temple easily. Regular buses also ply from Civil Lines bus stand to Nagvasuki. The nearest airport is Bamrauli Airport, 12 km away. The temple can be reached through the major road networks that pass through the city. Drivers can navigate via Google Maps as well. There are signboards on the main roads pointing towards the temple.

Conclusion

In summary, the historic Nagvasuki Temple is one of the most renowned shrines in North India dedicated to the powerful snake god Vasuki. The magnificent temple exemplifies excellent Vesher style architecture and sculpture. Millions flock during Nag Panchami to offer prayers and witness the grand rituals. For those interested in hinduism, history and architecture, Nagvasuki Temple offers a fascinating peek into serpent worship traditions.