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The Daily Insight

Why Shiva is called Neelkanth?

Author

Robert Guerrero

Updated on March 27, 2026

This Halahala was so poisonous that it could ruin creation. Fearing the end, the Devas and the Asuras pleaded to Lord Shiva to save the creation. A compassionate being that he is, Shiva agreed to drink the Halahala. The impact of the poison was such that it turned Shiva's neck blue and hence the name Neelkantha.

Similarly one may ask, why does Shiva have a blue throat?

As we all noise, a poison turns the body blue. Therefore, since Lord Shiva consumed the Halahala and held it there without letting it go into his body, his neck turned blue. Hence, he is known as Neelkantha (the one with a blue neck).

Secondly, how did Lord Shiva died? When the noose touched the linga, Shiva emerged from it in all his wrath and struck Yama with his Trishula and kicked his chest, killing the Lord of Death. Shiva's devotees on death are directly taken to Mount Kailash, Shiva's abode, on death and not to Yama's hell.

Similarly, what is the story of Neelkanth?

Neelkanth (Gujarati: નીલકંઠ Hindi: नीलकंठ) is a feature film based on childhood story of Swaminarayan. The film has true inspiring story of 11 years old teenage yogi, "Neelkanth", who renounced his home and took an extraordinary spiritual - incredible pilgrimage on the foot across the length and breath of India.

Is Shiva male or female?

Shiva is sometimes represented as half man, half woman. His figure is split half way down the body, one half showing his body and the second half that of Parvati's. Shiva is also represented by Shiva linga.

Related Question Answers

Did Lord Shiva get periods?

She told us a story that when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were young, it was the men that would get their periods and bleed from their armpits, but one day when Shiva had to go and on a war, he couldn't so Parvati being the eternal best wife that she is told Shiva that being a woman she can hide the blood in between

What is the color of Lord Shiva?

Shiva is usually depicted as white, from the ashes of corpses that are smeared on his body, with a blue neck, from holding poison in his throat. His wears a crescent moon and the Ganges River as decorations in his hair and a garland of skulls and a serpent around his neck.

Did Krishna have blue skin?

Lord Krishna is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and his blue colour is emblematic of internal strength, the calmness and serenity. As per ancient scriptures, when the Demon Putana tried to kill the young Krishna with his poisoned milk, Krishna didn't die and instead, his skin became blue.

Why do Hindu gods have blue skin?

At times, it is also translated as “all attractiveâ€. According to Vedas, Lord Krishna is a dark-skinned Dravidian god. Then why is Lord Krishna universally depicted as someone with blue skin? Hindu religion believes in symbolisms and the blue color is a symbol of the infinite and the immeasurable.

Who is neelkanth God?

He is believed by followers to be a manifestation of God. Swaminarayan was born Ghanshyam Pande in Chhapaiya, Uttar Pradesh, India in 1781. In 1792, he began a 7-year pilgrimage across India at the age of 11 years, adopting the name Nilkanth Varni. From this point onwards, he was known as Swaminarayan.

Why is neelkanth famous?

As per mythology, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a holy place where Lord Shiva consumed the poison originated from ocean (Samudra Manthan) and placed in his throat. This makes Lord Shiva's throat blue in colour and named Neelkanth.

Who is called Neelkanth?

This poison that emanated during the Samudramanthan (churning of the ocean) made his throat blue in color. Thus, Shiva is also known as Neelkanth, literally meaning The Blue Throated One.

Who is the father of the Lord Shiva?

A few days later, pleased by Vishwanar's devotion, Lord Shiva was born as Grihapati to the sage and his wife. This avatar of Lord Shiva was born to Sage Atri and his wife, Anasuya. He was known for being short-tempered and commanded respect both from the humans as well as the Devas.

What is the height of Neelkanth?

21,640′

What is neelkanth called in English?

Meaning of name “Neelkanth†English name of Neelkanth is “The Indian rollerâ€. This heavenly bird is said to be sacred to Lord Vishnu and used to be caught and released during festivals such Dusshera and Durga pooja.

Why did Shiva drink poison?

As no one could bear the lethal fumes emitted by the poison, both Devas and Asuras began to collapse due to asphyxiation. They ran for help to Brahma who refused and advised them that only Shiva could help them. Shiva chose to consume the poison and thus drank it.

When was Neelkanth temple built?

This temple was built in the 10th century by King Bhoj's nephew Udayaditya between 1116 to 1137. The construction took 21 years to get completed. This is located in the foothills of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple hills.