Naag Panchami or festival of snakes is a unique festival dedicated to honour the Serpent God or Naag Devta. Falling on the fifth day of Shravan in July/August, reverence for the cobra (snakes) are paid.

Naag Panchami in Hindu Mythology
Fairly widespread before the Aryan invasion, worshipping of snakes or Naga was later incorporated into Hinduism by the Aryan themselves. Hindu Mythological books are famously filled with stories, fables and pictures of snakes.

Lord Vishnu's couch is the green, thousand-headed snake (Ananta or Sesha) who could hold up the earth. Lord Shiva wears a snake for ornamental purpose. Even Lord Krishna is called "Kaliya Mardan" to commemorate his victory over the giant snake, Kaliya.

A farmer while tilling his land incidentally killed some young serpents. The serpent took revenge by biting all members of the farmer's family except his daughter, who worshipped snakes.This devotional act of the girl resulted in revival of her family. So on the day of Naag Panchami, tilling of land is forbidden. Snake worship is however believed to have originated due to man's natural fear of reptiles.

According to a legend the devotional act of a little girl towards the serpent god led to the revival of her family when accidentally her father, a farmer killed some serpents while tilling the land. So on this day tilling the land is forbidden.
Women fast on this day. A mixture of cow dung, milk and black powder is prepared with which pictures of snakes are painted on the walls of the house.
The Hindu Goddess of snakes, Mata Manasa is worshipped and offerings of milk, fruits, and sweets are given. The women pray for the well being of their family members. It is considered auspicious if a snake drinks the milk offered to them.
In Jodhpur, large cloth effigies of the mythical and mystical serpent Ananta or Sesh Nag are displayed at the local fair and also taken home to be worshipped.

 

 

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