As per the legend, Naag Vasuki wrapped himself around the Madarachal mountain and acted as the rope during Samudra Manthan or the churning of the Ksheer Sagar. While the temple finds a mention in the Matsya Purana, an anecdote from recent history is recounted quite often. It is said that the temple was once attacked by Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor. When he attempted to break the idol with his sword, the weapon got stuck and Naag Vasuki appeared in his mighty form. Frightened by the glory of the lord, Aurangzeb fainted, failing to materialise his destructive plans. Thereby, Lord Naag Vasuki is believed to protect his devotees from all evils and bless them with a happy and a healthy life. Another tale runs back to the 18th century when the Maratha King, Sridhar Bhonsle suffered from a severe disease. The royal priest prayed for his well being from Lord Naag Vasuki and promised that he would renovate the temple if the king gets cured. With divine intervention, the king got his health back and the priest initiated plans for revamping the temple premises. Not only did he renovate the temple, but he also helped in the construction of the nearby Ghat. Today, it is believed that the temple is one of the few places in India where one can be free from the effects of the Kaal Sarpa Dosha, the others being in Nasik, Ujjain, Varanasi and Haridwar.

Highlighting the significance of the temple, popular belief says that a mere ‘darshan’ (sight) of Naag Vasuki liberates devotees from the clutches of Kaal Sarp Dosha. While it is regularly frequented by worshippers, the temple gets crowded during the Kumbha and the Magh fairs. Further, the festival of Naag Panchami brings a spectacle of religious delight here. Your trip to Prayagraj will be incomplete if you do not include this temple in your itinerary.

The temple becomes a visible testament to the medieval style of architecture. One can also marvel at the artistic excellence sketched on the east gate of the temple, which has figures of lotus, elephants and conch shells. In its central sanctum lies a stone idol of Naag Vasuki imbued with a divine aura and spiritual radiance. Also, the temple also houses statues of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha and Bhishma Pitamah. It begins with a majestic staircase that gets submerged during monsoons when the waters of Ganga rise high.

Devotees offer milk and water to the Nag Vasuki temple. It is believed that offering milk and water in this temple protects the whole family from snakes.