Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 8: ‘Naag Panchami’ was observed here today with traditional rituals and offerings to serpent deity.
On the occasion, people made painting of snakes on wall for a reverential bath with milk and sought blessings for the welfare of the family. People also thronged to Shiv temples for worshipping the Naag deity with milk, sweets, flowers and lamps besides reciting of the mantras.
At few places, live snakes, particularly Cobras, were also worshipped with the assistance of snake charmers especially with offerings of milk. A number of snake charmers were seen displaying live Cobras in Shiv temple premises of the city.
This special day of the serpent worship falls on the fifth day of the moon’s waning in the Lunar Hindu month of Shravana. Hence this is called Naag Panchami. According to the Hindu beliefs, offering prayers to snake deity on this day is auspicious and will usher good tidings in one’s life.
According to Hindu Puranic literature and the Mahabharata, Kashyapa, son of the universal creator Lord Brahma, married two daughters of Prajapati, Kadru and Vinata. Kadru then gave birth to the race of Nagas, while Vinata gave birth to Aruna, who became the charioteer of the sun god, Surya and also gave birth to the great eagle Garuda, who became the carrier of Vishnu.
Indian scriptures such as Agni Purana, Skanda Purana, Narada Purana and the Mahabharata give details of history of snakes extolling worship of snakes.
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