KATHMANDU, August 17: The Nag Panchami festival is being celebrated today, marking a significant occasion in Hindu tradition dedicated to the worship of snakes.
This festival involves the ritual of placing a picture of a snake on the front door of homes, a practice believed to protect households from harm caused by snakes and scorpions, as well as to mitigate fears associated with fire, clouds, and lightning.
Photos: Nag Panchami being celebrated
This year, Nag Panchami coincides with the first day of Bhadra according to the lunar calendar, occurring on Shravan Shukla Panchami. The origins of snake worship can be traced back to the Vedic period, where the Naga is revered as the king of snakes. It is believed that an angry snake can lead to water shortages, prompting the tradition of snake worship to invoke rain.
Additionally, the Baraha Puran highlights the significance of this day, noting that it commemorates a conversation between Brahma and Nagaraja, further solidifying the festival's religious importance.
