Vasuki

About Vasuki

Vasuki is the seven-headed serpent king who hangs around Shiva's neck like a living necklace, the Nagamani gem glowing on his hood. Born to sage Kashyapa and Kadru, he is younger brother to Shesha and rules the Naga capital Bhogavati deep in Patala. In the churning of the ocean, the asuras gripped his head while the devas pulled his tail — his scorching breath weakened the demons, and at Tripura's burning he stretched himself into the bowstring of Shiva's bow. His sister Manasa's son Astika later halted King Janamejaya's snake sacrifice, saving the Naga race. Devotees worship him on Nag Panchami, most famously at the Nag Vasuki temple on the Ganga at Daraganj, Prayagraj.