Why Is Lord Shiva Known as Nilkantha? The Story of the Blue-Throated God Introduction Lord Shiva is known by countless names in Sanatan Dharma. Each name reveals a different aspect of his divine personality. Read: Which leaves and flowers are offered to Lord Shiva. Nilkantha or Lord Shiva image   Read: Why is Lord Shiva called Chandra Sekhar   He is Mahadeva, the Great God; Shankara, the benevolent one; Rudra, the fierce form; Neelkantha, the blue-throated Lord; Pashupati, the Lord of all beings; and Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. Among these names, Nilkantha carries a particularly powerful story. The word Nilkantha is derived from two Sanskrit words: Nila, meaning “blue,” and Kantha, meaning “throat.” Therefore, Nilkantha literally means “the One with the Blue Throat.” Explore: Can Tulasi Leaves be offered to Lord Shiva. But why did Lord Shiva's throat become blue? The answer is found in one of the most famous episodes of Hindu sacred literature—the Samudra Manthan , or the Ch...