The time-honoured festival is observed on the fifth day of the bright half of the Nepali month Saun as per the lunar calendar.
The Nag is taken as the god of water and rain, and as per the religious belief it is said that the house where the Nag deity resides is bestowed with wealth and prosperity.
There is also belief that pasting the picture of the Nag deity on the doorway of houses provides protection from thunder bolt, lightning and fire as well as attacks by snakes and scorpions.[break]
Various ancient Hindu scriptures like the Garuda Purana, Skanda Purana, Narad Purana, Bhabishya Purana and Baraha Purana mention about the worship of the Nag. Besides the Hindus, followers of Budhhism and Jainism also worship the Nag.
People make offerings of dubo grass, milk and grains, red vermillion powder and yoghurt known as akshata to the Nag deity.
Devotees offer special pujas at the shrines dedicated to the Nag deity by offering rice pudding, special bread cooked in ghee.
On the occasion of Nagpanchami, special religious fairs took place at local Nagpokhari at Naxal and at Taudaha, believed to be the abode of the Karkotak Nag, at Taudaha in Kathmandu and at the Nagdaha at Dhapakhel in Lalitpur, at Siddhapopkhari in Bhaktapur and at Panauti.
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Nagpanchami festival being celebrated today (With Pictures)
