Hidden within the sacred walls of the Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple in Nanjangud, Karnataka, lies a rare and fascinating sculpture, one that captures a divine moment from one of Hindu mythology’s most profound legends. Unlike the usual depictions of Lord Shiva, this sculpture portrays Goddess Parvati gently holding Lord Shiva’s throat, stopping the deadly poison from spreading through his body.

The story traces back to the Samudra Manthan, the great churning of the cosmic ocean. As the devas and asuras churned for amrita, the nectar of immortality, an unexpected danger arose, the poison emerged, threatening to destroy all creation. To protect the universe, Lord Shiva selflessly consumed the poison, knowing the immense risk it carried.

But as the venom coursed through him, Devi Parvati, moved by love and compassion, pressed his throat, containing the poison there. It stained his neck a deep blue, earning him the name Neelkantha, “the blue-throated one.”


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This breathtaking sculpture inside the Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple, also known as the Nanjundeshwara Temple, doesn’t just portray an ancient story, it symbolizes the inseparable union of Shiva and Shakti, power and grace, sacrifice and protection.

Nanjangud itself takes its name from this very legend, with Lord Shiva worshipped here as Nanjundeshwara, meaning “the God who drank poison.” The temple, one of Karnataka’s largest and most revered, stands on the banks of the Kapila River, preserving centuries of devotion and divine history.

This rare depiction serves as a reminder of an extraordinary moment when love, courage, and cosmic balance came together to save creation itself.

Source / Image Credit : the.blue.human, en.wikipedia.org