Nag Panchami, Maharashtra - नाग पंचमी
This festival, which is usually celebrated in West Bengal, Maharashtra and South India, venerates snakes.
Nag Panchami is the festival when snakes, the symbols of energy and prosperity are worshipped. In Maharashtra, snake charmers go from house to house with dormant cobras ensconced in cane baskets, asking for alms and clothing. Women offer milk and cooked rice to the snakes and gather around to see the snakes spread their hoods to the tune of the pungi. Clay snakes are brought home to be worshipped by day and immersed in the sea in the evening. In southern India, particularly in Kerala, snake temples are crowded on this day and worship is offered to stone or metal icons of the cosmic serpent Ananta or Shesha.
The Hindu festival of Naag Panchami is a festival of snakes which is dedicated to the Naag Devta or the God of Serpents. Serpents play a significant role in Hindu mythology. To mention a few, Lord Vishnu's seat is a green thousand-headed snake called Sesha who is believed to be capable of holding up the earth. Lord Shiva wears a snake as an ornament. Lord Krishna won a battle with the giant snake Kaliya and was given the name Kaliya Mardan.
During the festival, milk, ghee, sweets, water and rice are offered in front of snake holes. The tradition is that women fast on this auspicious day and draw images of snakes on the walls of the house. Different regions in India celebrate Naag Panchami in different ways. In Jodhpur, fairs are organized where effigies of snakes are displayed.
Nag Panchami is the festival when snakes, the symbols of energy and prosperity are worshipped. In Maharashtra, snake charmers go from house to house with dormant cobras ensconced in cane baskets, asking for alms and clothing. Women offer milk and cooked rice to the snakes and gather around to see the snakes spread their hoods to the tune of the pungi. Clay snakes are brought home to be worshipped by day and immersed in the sea in the evening. In southern India, particularly in Kerala, snake temples are crowded on this day and worship is offered to stone or metal icons of the cosmic serpent Ananta or Shesha.
The Hindu festival of Naag Panchami is a festival of snakes which is dedicated to the Naag Devta or the God of Serpents. Serpents play a significant role in Hindu mythology. To mention a few, Lord Vishnu's seat is a green thousand-headed snake called Sesha who is believed to be capable of holding up the earth. Lord Shiva wears a snake as an ornament. Lord Krishna won a battle with the giant snake Kaliya and was given the name Kaliya Mardan.
During the festival, milk, ghee, sweets, water and rice are offered in front of snake holes. The tradition is that women fast on this auspicious day and draw images of snakes on the walls of the house. Different regions in India celebrate Naag Panchami in different ways. In Jodhpur, fairs are organized where effigies of snakes are displayed.