Nag Panchami, which falls on Shukla Paksha Panchami in the Shrawan month, is one of such major days. It will be commemorated this year on August 13th. Snakes are venerated as humans on this day. Snakes are associated with Lord Shiva, thus devotees pray to him to protect them from serpents.
Nag Panchami is observed on the Panchami or the Fifth Day of the Shukal Paksh i.e. Lunar Period during Shrawan Month, according to Hindu Calendar.
On this day, devotees of Lord Shiva offer milk in temples, make Kheer at home, and fast to worship snakes, who have an inextricable bond with the Lord because He wears them as Ornaments around his neck and body.
Because Lord Shiva lived in the Himalayas and the jungles as a Yogi, snakes are an important component of his aura. Other Hindu gods are linked to snakes, such as Lord Brahma, who created Sheshnag (King of Serpents) and rests on his coil, and Lord Krishna, who vanquished Kaliya (Black Snake) in Vrindavan on the banks of the Yamuna river.
On this day, Hindus who observe Nag Panchami religiously worship twelve serpents: Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padma, Kambala, Karkotaka, Ashvatara, Dhritarashtra, Shankhapala, Kaliya, Takshaka, and Pingala. On this day, they recite the Mahamritunjya Mantra and meditate on Lord Shiva’s name by reciting “Om Namaha Shivaya.”
The idols of Dieties and Snakes are cleaned in milk and worshipped on Nag Panchami. People pray to the Lords to protect them and their loved ones from snakes, as snakes emerge from their hiding places in search of dry locations at this time of year. Snakes, despite their poison, are thought to be placid and harmless creatures who only become violent when they are harmed by humans.
Snakes should not be killed in Hindu tradition; instead, they should be respected and politely asked to leave if they enter someone’s home or get in the way. To commemorate Nag Panchami, Hindus fast on this day and present flowers, milk, and milk-based delicacies to temples, as well as distributing Prasad to the poor.
In the case of Nepal, it is believed that Nagas stopped rain from falling on the country in ancient times. Because the king of the time was also a Tantric, he used his ability to make Nagas release rain. The monarch was successful, but he also praised the Nagas’ majestic might by turning the day of triumph into the Nag Panchami festival.
Devotees hang an image of Naga high above their doorway on Nag Panchami and do puja with the requisite puja ingredients. Snakes are fed by leaving food offerings in the yards and fields. On this day, devotees flock to Naga temples throughout the valley, including Nagpokhari, Taudaha, and Nagdaha.
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