There are a number of traditions and festivals in Hinduism that appear strange to people unfamiliar with the religion.
However, these traditions have been carried out for centuries and are completely normal when looked upon from a Hindu’s perspective. One such tradition is of worshipping ‘Snakes’ as they are believed to be the symbols of the ‘Serpent Gods’. The tradition is carried out in the form of the Nag Panchami festival.
Worshipping snakes in Hindu culture holds greater importance as even Lord Shiva carries snakes around his neck like a garland. Nag Panchami 2020 is also known as Nag Chaturthi and Nagul Chavithi. It is believed that worshipping the serpent god on this day gives him grace and there is no fear of any harm from the snake.
On this occasion, people worship snakes and offer milk to appease Lord Shiva for protection from enemies and all evils. Hence, Nag Panchmi holds great significance for Shiv devotees. Milk is offered to snakes with the belief that the offering will protect one’s family from evil energies
Nag Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day in the month of shravana (July/August), according to the Hindu calendar. On this day, people go to temples to worship snake deities, and in some cases to snake pits to worship real snakes, where they make offerings like milk, sweets, and flowers to the snakes
They worship it as a god… When they see a snake, they call it a great god, and do not kill it or chase it away.” The reason for snakes symbolizing worth was because they ate rats and other pests.
Vāsuki is a serpent king in Hindu and Buddhist religion. He is described as having a gem called Nagamani on his head. Manasa, another naga, is his sister. Vāsuki is Shiva’s snake.
One must avoid using needles or any sharp object on the day of Nag Panchami. It is best to avoid consuming leafy vegetables. However, if a need arises, one must cook them without cutting. Do not harm any snakes or any other living being.
Locals saw snakes disappearing into barns in search of rodents and believed that the snakes were drinking the milk from cows’ udders. In fact, reptiles can’t digest dairy products and even if they could, it’s unlikely cows would stand idly by whilst being milked.
The most important feature of this festival is that women offer milk to snakes to seek blessings and protection from evil. It is believed that anything offered to snakes on Nag Panchami would reach to the serpent Gods. Hence, devotes worship live snakes on the day as representative of serpents Gods.
Vishnu sleeps on a snake in water to indicate that he is the default Hindu god. In Hindu mythology Shesha or Anantta is the king of serpents or nagas who ruled patal lok. He had thousand heads. Lord Vishnu sleeps on Shesha during interval between creation.
The Nag Panchami festival is a revered ritual celebrated on day five of the moonlit fortnight in the Hindu month of Shravana which falls around July/ August according to Gregorian calendar.
On this auspicious day, let’s have a look at the origin of the Nag Panchami festival based on some popular beliefs.
Even though the exact origin of the festival is not known precisely, evidence from the Indus Valey civilization of the 3000 B.C. supports the idea that the Snake- worship custom began with the ‘Naga’ clan which was a highly developed tribe, residing in India.
On the day of Nag Panchami, women worship the Nag Devta (Serpent God) by offering milk to the snakes. It is believed that the milk that you offer to the snakes would ultimately reach the serpent god and he would bless you with health and happiness.
Historically, serpents and snakes represent fertility or a creative life force. As snakes shed their skin through sloughing, they are symbols of rebirth, transformation, immortality, and healing. The ouroboros is a symbol of eternity and continual renewal of life.
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