the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Once, Goddess Parvathi cursed all the snakes that they will be burnt in the penance performed by Janmejaya. All the snakes panicked. Snakes named Kambhal, Nagendra Shankchood, Dhritarashtra and Kaliya went to Brahma Lok, Manipur, Prayag and Yamuna respectively and stayed there. A snake named Nagendra Elaphaak went to Lord Brahma and asked why Goddess Parvathi cursed them. Lord Brahma replied that this should happen but asked that snake to worship the Shivalinga near Mahamaya in Mahakal forest and make Lord Shiva happy. A snake named Karkotak worshipped that Linga just before. So, Lord Shiva gave a boon to it that the snakes which are arrogant, sinful and poisonous will be punished. Snakes which follows Dharma will not be punished. So the Shivalinga came to be known as Karkoteshwar Mahadev. Whoever worships this Linga will be free from Sarpadosh and his obstacles.