Takshakeshwar Nath (Takshak Teerth)
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry Fee₹0
Tucked into the old-city lanes of Prayagraj near the Yamuna, Takshakeshwar Nath — better known to pilgrims as Takshak Teerth — is one of the city's most atmospheric and least-touristed shrines. It honours Takshak, the great serpent-king (Nagaraja) of Hindu mythology, alongside a Shiva lingam, and by long tradition it is counted among the classical Naga tirthas of the Prayag region. The Padma Purana and local mahatmya literature associate this stretch of the Yamuna bank with Takshak Nag, and the temple has carried that identity across centuries as a quiet but continuously living place of worship.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Loknath Gali kachori-sabzi and jalebi stalls (old city, pure-veg)
- ✦Netram Moolchand & Sons — pure-veg kachori-sabzi and dahi-jalebi, Loknath
- ✦Hari Ram & Sons — pure-veg namkeen and snacks, Katra/Loknath
- ✦Old-city pure-veg thali kitchens and plain (bhang-free) thandai stalls
About
Tucked into the old-city lanes of Prayagraj near the Yamuna, Takshakeshwar Nath — better known to pilgrims as Takshak Teerth — is one of the city's most atmospheric and least-touristed shrines.
- It honours Takshak, the great serpent-king (Nagaraja) of Hindu mythology, alongside a Shiva lingam, and by long tradition it is counted among the classical Naga tirthas of the Prayag region.
- The Padma Purana and local mahatmya literature associate this stretch of the Yamuna bank with Takshak Nag, and the temple has carried that identity across centuries as a quiet but continuously living place of worship.
- The shrine is modest in scale rather than monumental — a compact complex of low domes, a serpent-carved sanctum, and a courtyard worn smooth by generations of bare feet.
- Its real significance is devotional and calendrical.
- Devotees come here specifically for Sarpa-Dosha and Kaal Sarp Dosha nivaran, the ritual remedies that Vedic astrology prescribes for those whose horoscopes show serpent-related afflictions.
- Naga Panchami, in the monsoon month of Shravan, is the temple's high day, when milk offerings, serpent images and long queues fill the lanes; Mondays and the Shivratri festival draw the Shaiva faithful for abhishek of the lingam.
- For visitors interested in the deeper mythic geography of Prayag — beyond the famous Sangam — Takshak Teerth is a rewarding, authentic detour.
- Practically, treat it as a short, contemplative stop of thirty to forty-five minutes, ideally folded into a wider old-city walk that might include the riverfront and the ghats.
- Dress modestly, remove footwear before the sanctum, and follow the priests' guidance if you are there for a specific puja.
- Photography inside the sanctum is often restricted, so ask first.
- The surrounding neighbourhood is a dense, workaday quarter, best explored on foot or by cycle-rickshaw.
- For food, this old-city location puts you within easy reach of Prayagraj's finest pure-vegetarian street eating.
- The legendary kachori-sabzi and jalebi counters of Loknath Gali sit a short ride away, where pure-veg institutions such as Netram Moolchand & Sons serve the city's beloved kachori-sabzi and dahi-jalebi, and Hari Ram & Sons turns out crisp namkeen.
- Closer at hand you will find simple pure-veg thali kitchens, kachori-sabzi carts, and stalls ladling plain (bhang-free) thandai and lassi.
- Stick to the busy, high-turnover vegetarian counters and you will eat superbly.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Takshak Teerth, Kydganj, near the Yamuna riverbank, Prayagraj, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211003
How to Reach: Located in the Kydganj area of Prayagraj's old city near the Yamuna, roughly 4-5 km from Prayagraj Junction railway station. Take an auto-rickshaw, cycle-rickshaw or taxi to Kydganj/Takshak Teerth; the final approach through the old lanes is best covered on foot or by cycle-rickshaw.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Takshakeshwar Nath (Takshak Teerth) known for?
It is an ancient Shiva shrine dedicated to Takshak, the serpent-king of Hindu mythology, and is counted among the classical Naga tirthas of the Prayag region. Pilgrims especially visit it for Sarpa-Dosha and Kaal Sarp Dosha remedial pujas. Its identity is drawn from Puranic tradition associating this stretch of the Yamuna bank with Takshak Nag.
When is the best time to visit Takshak Teerth?
Early morning and evening are the calmest times for darshan. The temple's biggest day is Naga Panchami during the monsoon month of Shravan, when serpent worship peaks, and Mondays and Shivratri draw large Shaiva crowds. For pleasant weather overall, plan your trip between October and March.
Is there an entry fee and how long should I spend there?
Entry is free, as at most Hindu temples. A visit of around thirty to forty-five minutes is usually enough to take darshan and sit quietly in the courtyard. If you are there for a specific Kaal Sarp Dosha puja, allow additional time as the ritual can take longer.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Takshak Teerth?
The old-city location keeps you close to Prayagraj's best pure-vegetarian eating. The famous kachori-sabzi and jalebi counters of Loknath Gali are a short ride away, including pure-veg institutions like Netram Moolchand & Sons for kachori-sabzi and dahi-jalebi, and Hari Ram & Sons for namkeen. Nearby you will also find simple pure-veg thali kitchens and stalls serving plain, bhang-free thandai and lassi.
How do I reach Takshak Teerth in Prayagraj?
It lies in the Kydganj area of the old city near the Yamuna, about 4-5 km from Prayagraj Junction railway station. Auto-rickshaws and taxis can drop you nearby, after which the narrow lanes are best navigated on foot or by cycle-rickshaw.