By Admin 
Shri Nandeshwar Dham in Kanpur: Shri Nandeshwar Dham Temple located in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh is famous for its unique religious tradition. This temple is located in Hathigaon of Sarsaul development block and is considered to be about 200 years old.
Here, on the third day of Mahashivratri, a special ritual is performed, in which the Shivalinga in the Ardhanarishwar form of Lord Shiva is decorated with live snakes. This tradition has been going on for the last several decades and every year thousands of devotees come from far and wide to see it.
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Special ritual on Mahashivratri
According to tradition, before the third day of Mahashivratri, local snake charmers (snake catchers) bring snakes from the forests. The decoration of Shivalinga is done through these snakes.
First of all, Shivlinga is decorated with traditional flowers, Belpatra and other worship materials. After this the snakes are carefully released around the Shivalinga, where they move freely and wrap themselves around the Shivalinga.
After the puja is over, these snakes are safely released back into the wild. Experienced people like snake charmer Rampal Nath, resident of Kannauj, have been handling this work for many years. According to him, snakes are considered an integral part of Lord Shiva and there is no harm in including them in worship.
Kanpur’s Shri Nandeshwar Dham temple, where Shivlinga is decorated with live snakes, in the 200 year old temple, Shivlinga changes color thrice a day.
VC- Ashok Singh pic.twitter.com/Crx3eaMjc3— Ankur Agnihotri (@Ankuragnihotrii) February 18, 2026
Origin and significance of the tradition
This unique tradition is being followed continuously for the last 27 years. Temple committee members say that this ritual shows respect for nature, animals and Lord Shiva. Devotees from nearby villages and far off places come to see this wonderful scene.
According to a popular story, a long time ago, Lala, a farmer here, had cut off his tongue and offered it to Shivalinga. After this, the tradition of adorning with live snakes started in this temple. Haripal Yadav, vice-president of the temple committee, says that this incident is related to the glory of the Swayambhu Shivalinga. Devotees believe that snakes, scorpions and other creatures participate in the worship because of their association with Lord Bholenath.
Amazing Shivalinga: Changing color three times a day
Another specialty of the temple is that the Ardhanarishwar Shivalinga here is self-contained. According to temple committee member Narendra Singh Tomar, the Shivalinga changes its color three times a day:
- Morning: Brown color
- Afternoon: bright and shining
- Sunset: light glow
Devotees consider it a proof of divine power and come from far and wide for darshan.
attractions for devotees
Every year on the third day of Mahashivratri, a unique confluence of devotion and wonder is seen in this ancient temple of Kanpur. Decorating the Shivalinga with live snakes and changing the color of the Swayambhu Shivalinga, both incidents further strengthen the faith of the devotees.
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