Sri Aastik Swami Mandir, Raebareli

Sri Aastik Swami Mandir stands beside the River Sai in Lalupur village, about 10 km from Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh. It honours Sri Aastik Swami, known as the Lord of Snakes, and is one of the major places for his worship.

The story behind the temple comes from the Mahabharata tradition: when Janamejaya burned a great number of snakes in the Sarp Yagya to avenge his father Parikshit, Aastik saved some of them. The snakes are said to have blessed him so that his worshippers need never fear snakes. The day of their rescue became Nagapanchami, also called Gudiya, celebrated here with zeal. Devotees believe that bathing in the Sai and then seeing the deity in wet clothes fulfils all wishes, and the custom is to offer wooden gifts instead of flowers.