Nag Panchami 2025: Who Is The Snake Wrapped Around Lord Shiva’s Neck? Know Lesser-Known Legend

Nag Panchami 2025, a revered Hindu festival, is celebrated on the Panchami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan. This year, Nag Panchami falls on 29th July 2025. On this day, devotees worship snakes, seeking protection from ophidian harm and blessings for their families. In Hinduism, snakes are associated with Lord Shiva, who is often depicted with a serpent around his neck, symbolising his control over life and death. The festival highlights the importance of respecting and venerating these creatures, promoting harmony between humans and nature.

However, have you ever wondered which snake is wrapped around the neck of Lord Shiva? What is its name? And how Lord Shiva decided to wear it around his neck? Well, let us uncover the answers to all these questions below, and know the lesser-known legend that explains why Lord Shiva decided to wear a snake around his neck.

Who Is The Snake Wrapped Around Lord Shiva’s Neck?

In Hindu mythology, the serpent wrapped around Lord Shiva's neck is none other than Vasuki, the mighty king of snakes. According to legend, Vasuki was used as a rope to churn the ocean of milk, showcasing his incredible strength. Shiva's association with Vasuki symbolises his mastery over life, death, and rebirth. The serpent also represents spiritual growth, renewal and the cyclical nature of existence. By wearing Vasuki around his neck, Shiva embodies the perfect balance between creation and destruction, highlighting his complex and multifaceted nature as a deity of immense power and wisdom in Hinduism.

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Nag Panchami is a revered Hindu festival where devotees worship snakes, seeking protection and blessings, promoting harmony between humans and nature, and honouring the sacred bond between Lord Shiva and serpents. (Image Source: Freepik) 

How Lord Shiva Decided To Wear A Serpent Around His Neck?

The legend of Lord Shiva and Nag Vasuki is a fascinating tale of cosmic significance. According to myth, during the churning of the ocean of milk, the gods and demons used Vasuki, the mighty king of snakes, as a rope to extract the nectar of immortality. As the churning progressed, Vasuki's body began to release venom, threatening to destroy the universe. Lord Shiva, in his infinite compassion, swallowed the poison, saving the cosmos from destruction. This act showcased his unparalleled power and control over the universe's forces.

As a token of gratitude for Shiva's heroic act, Vasuki offered himself to the Lord, wrapping his majestic body around Shiva's neck. This symbolic gesture signified Shiva's mastery over the forces of nature and his role as the saviour of the universe. By wearing Vasuki around his neck, Shiva demonstrated his ability to harness and transform even the most potent energies. The serpent also represented spiritual growth, renewal, and the cyclical nature of existence, underscoring Shiva's complex and multifaceted nature as a deity.

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The image of Shiva adorned with Vasuki has become an iconic representation of Hindu mythology. The serpent's presence around Shiva's neck serves as a reminder of the Lord's incredible power, compassion and wisdom. Vasuki's wrapping around Shiva's neck also symbolises the eternal bond between the divine and the natural world. Through this legend, Shiva's supremacy over the universe is reaffirmed and the significance of the serpent as a symbol of renewal and transformation is reinforced, inspiring devotion and awe in the hearts of millions.

(Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified spiritual or astrological opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information before adopting any measures.)