Nag Panchami Festival Being Observed Today

Kathmandu, Aug 17: The Nag Panchami festival, dedicated to the worship of snakes, is being observed across the country today with religious rituals and traditional practices.

Celebrated on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shravan, Nag Panchami falls on the first day of Bhadra this year according to the lunar calendar.

As part of the tradition, devotees place pictures or images of snakes at the entrances of their homes. The practice is believed to protect families from snakes and scorpions and ward off fears associated with fire, clouds and lightning.

The tradition of snake worship dates back to the Vedic period, when the Naga was revered as the king of snakes. According to religious belief, worshipping Nagas is also associated with invoking rainfall, as an angry snake was traditionally believed to cause water shortages.

The “Baraha Purana” also refers to the religious significance of Nag Panchami, describing it as the day of a dialogue between Brahma and Nagaraja.