7 snake deities that are worshipped in India and why

Two of three creators of the universe- Shiva and Vishnu have symbols of snakes attached to them. While Lord Shiva wears Vasuki as a decoration around his neck, Lord Vishnu rests on Sheshnaag. Snakes are revered in India as divine figures. In real life while snakes are terrifying creatures, they are the symbols of fertility, power and protection too. In Hinduism, it is considered a sin to kill a snake and people who do so are prone to falling to ill luck. Snakes in India have been depicted in Hindu mythology as gods, demi gods and even demons. Take a look at 7 snakes that are worshiped in India.

Sheshanaga, also known as Shesha or Adishesha, is the King of the Naga(snake) race. According to the Puranas, Sheshnaga holds all the planets of the universe on his vast hoods. It is said that when Adishesha uncoils, time starts to move forward and creation starts to take place, and when it comes back to the coiled position, time stops and the universe ceases to exist.

Vasuki is the divine serpent coiled around the neck of Shiva. Vasuki is one of the snakes that consumed halala as he was tied to the Mandara Mountain as a rope for churning. Even though Vasuki consumed poison he didn’t complain. Seeing the dedication of Vasuki, Lord Shiv decided to wear Vasuki around his neck.

A temple in Bhimtal, Uttarakhand has been dedicated to Nag Karkotaka Maharaja. The deity is revered for bestowing prosperity and good health upon devotees. Legend has it that Karkotaka took residence here to protect the city from evil energies.

Takshaka finds its mention in Mahabharata as well as Bhagavata Purana. According to Shrimad Bhagavatam Takshaka belonged to the Ikshvaku dynasty and was the descendant of Rama. Takshaka’s son Brihadbala was killed by Arjuna’s son, Abhimanyu. He was also regarded as the friend of Lord Indra. There is an idol of Takshaka situated at Tarakeshwar temple in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh.

In the Hindu mythology, Kaliya was a venomous Naga living in the Yamuna river in Vrindavan. It is said that water around was always boiling and bubbling with poison. According to the Bhagavata Purana, Krishna subdued Kaliya after it tried to harass the people of Gokulam. Accepting his defeat Kaliya asked for pardon and Krishna asked Kaliya to leave the river. The fiji Indians believe that Krishna banished Kaliya to Ramnik Deep, which is assumed to be in Fiji.

Manasa is the Hindu goddess of snakes. She is mainly worshiped mainly in northern India for prevention and protection from snakebite and for fertility and prosperity. Manasa is the sister of Sheshnag and Vasuki, and is the daughter of Shiva.

Gullika is one of the 7 divine serpents who decorate Garuda. It is considered the guardian of medicinal herbs and plants. It is related to healing and knowledge of antidotes.