Nanjundeswarar Temple, Karamadai – Legends
During the churning of the Ocean of Milk (Samudra
Manthana), Mount Mandara was used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, a
Nagaraja who abides on Lord Shiva's neck, became the churning rope. During
the churning process, the Halahala poison escaped from the mouth of the serpent
king Vasuki. This terrified the gods and demons because the poison was so
powerful that it could destroy all of creation. Despite this, the Devas and the
Asuras pulled back and forth on the snake's body alternately, causing the
mountain to rotate, which in turn churned the ocean.
The Devas then approached Lord Shiva for
protection. Lord Shiva consumed the poison. As Lord Shiva drank the poison
(Nanju), he came to be called as Nanjundeswarar.
Lord Shiva was suffering intense pain due to the Halahala poison. Mother Parvati
immediately places a hand on his throat, stopping the poison to flow any
further, and by her Maya stopped it forever.
As a result, his throat turned blue and he was
henceforth called Neelakantha (the blue-throated one; Neela – blue, Kantha
– throat in Sanskrit). The timely intervention of Mother Parvathy prevented
the Halahala poison entering Lord Shiva body beyond his throat. Thus, she saved
Lord Shiva and thereby the world. Hence, she came to be called as Loka Nayagi.