Shree Anantashesha, Shree Vasuki, and Shree Takshaka are the most worshipped Nagarajas in south Asia. There are many temples dedicated to these three Nagarajas.
Shree Anantashesha
Shree Anantashesha is a Nagaraja who is believed to have thousand-heads. He was born on Shrāvana Krishna Paksha Panchami. Today this day is known as Naga Panchami. His wife's name is Anantasheersha.
Shree Anantashesha is also associated with the third incarnation of Shree Varaha, at the beginning of Kalpa, the supreme deity assuming the semblance of a gigantic boar dived into depths of primeval waters and heaved up the planet earth from the abyss. It is said that the Serpent King Shree Ananthashesha who supported one of the feet of the Boar while rising from the waters.
Shree Vasuki
Shree Vasuki is a Nagaraja who dwells in the underworld. It is believed that he has 'Swastika' symbol on his hood.The most famous legend in Hinduism in which Vasuki took part was the incident of Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean of milk. In this legend, Vasuki allowed the devas (gods) and the asuras (demons) to bind him to Mount Mandara and use him as their churning rope to extract the ambrosia of immortality from the ocean of milk.
Because of the active part played by the serpent Vasuki in the churning operations, plenty of gems was given to the Naga kingdom, whose legendary capital Bhogavati is paved with jewels.
Shree Takshaka
Shree Takshaka is Nagaraja who is mentioned in Yajurveda and Atharvaveda as a Naga deity and King of Nagas. He was born on Mārgasheersha Shukla Panchami. Today this day is known as Takshaka Panchami. In Valmiki Ramayana, he is mentioned as a snake supported on the water of the Ganga.
For Nagavanshi Nairs, praying to the three Nagarajas at the time of Onam is considered auspicious.
Data were collected from Wikipedia, The architectural antiquities of northern Gujarat: more especially of the districts included in the Baroda state by James Burgess, Henry Cousens, The Indian Encyclopaedia: Gautami Ganga -Himmat Bahadur edited by Shri.Subodh Kapoor, Snake Worship in India By Shri.G.Ravindran Nair and www.sanskritdocuments.org
Shree Anantashesha
Shree Anantashesha is a Nagaraja who is believed to have thousand-heads. He was born on Shrāvana Krishna Paksha Panchami. Today this day is known as Naga Panchami. His wife's name is Anantasheersha.
Shree Anantashesha is also associated with the third incarnation of Shree Varaha, at the beginning of Kalpa, the supreme deity assuming the semblance of a gigantic boar dived into depths of primeval waters and heaved up the planet earth from the abyss. It is said that the Serpent King Shree Ananthashesha who supported one of the feet of the Boar while rising from the waters.
Shree Vasuki
Shree Vasuki is a Nagaraja who dwells in the underworld. It is believed that he has 'Swastika' symbol on his hood.The most famous legend in Hinduism in which Vasuki took part was the incident of Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean of milk. In this legend, Vasuki allowed the devas (gods) and the asuras (demons) to bind him to Mount Mandara and use him as their churning rope to extract the ambrosia of immortality from the ocean of milk.
Because of the active part played by the serpent Vasuki in the churning operations, plenty of gems was given to the Naga kingdom, whose legendary capital Bhogavati is paved with jewels.
Shree Takshaka
Shree Takshaka is Nagaraja who is mentioned in Yajurveda and Atharvaveda as a Naga deity and King of Nagas. He was born on Mārgasheersha Shukla Panchami. Today this day is known as Takshaka Panchami. In Valmiki Ramayana, he is mentioned as a snake supported on the water of the Ganga.
For Nagavanshi Nairs, praying to the three Nagarajas at the time of Onam is considered auspicious.
Data were collected from Wikipedia, The architectural antiquities of northern Gujarat: more especially of the districts included in the Baroda state by James Burgess, Henry Cousens, The Indian Encyclopaedia: Gautami Ganga -Himmat Bahadur edited by Shri.Subodh Kapoor, Snake Worship in India By Shri.G.Ravindran Nair and www.sanskritdocuments.org
