Kathmandu. The festival of Nag Panchami, which is celebrated every year on the fifth day of Shrawan Shukla, is being observed today, on the first day of Bhadra, by worshiping and paying homage to the Nag, as per tradition, on Sunday.
On the occasion of Nag Panchami, the Hindu followers have a tradition of worshiping the Nag by offering milk, curd, dubo, incense, lamp, and naivedya, and hanging the picture of the Nag at the main door of the house.
On this day, along with the eight Nags - Ananta, Vasuki, Padma, Mahapadma, Takshaka, Kaliya, Karkata, and Shankha - and the pictures of other creatures like Gangato and Bichchila, worship is performed and hung at the main door of the house.
There is a religious belief that when the picture of the Nag is hung at the main door of the house, one can be protected from the troubles and sufferings caused by the Nag, snakes, and other creatures throughout the year. Also, due to the belief that one can get protection from fire, rain, and hail, the tradition of worshiping the Nag and hanging its picture on the day of Nag Panchami has been going on.
In various Nag Pokhari and Nag temples in the Kathmandu Valley, a large crowd of devotees gathers today for special worship and darshan.
