KATHMANDU, July 29: Hindus across the country are observing Nagpanchami on Tuesday, a festival celebrated by worshiping images of Nag, the serpent deity, placed above the main gate of houses and paying homage to the serpent god.
The festival is celebrated annually on the fifth day of the waxing moon in the month of Saun, according to the lunar calendar.
Nagpanchami festival being observed today
There is a religious belief that pasting the image of the serpent god above the main door and offering worship on this day protects the house from lightning and fire and the family from snakes and scorpions.
According to the Baraha Purana scriptures, it was on this day that the serpent king and Brahma, the lord of creation, held a conversation—hence the special significance of the day.
All eight serpent deities in the pantheon are worshipped today by offering Dubo grass (Cynodon dactylon), milk, and incense. The eight serpent deities are Ananta, Basuki, Padma, Mahapadma, Takshyaka, Kuleer, Karkata, and Sankha.
Special religious fairs are also held at various Naga Kunda (serpent ponds) dedicated to the serpent deity throughout the country. On this occasion, devotees throng snake temples and ponds to offer prayers and milk.
At Nagpokhari in Naxal, Kathmandu, a large number of devotees assembled to worship the snake deity.
