KATHMANDU: The Hindu festival of Nagpanchami is being observed across Nepal today, marked by the worship of the Nag (serpent deity) and the traditional pasting of serpent images on the doors of homes.
Celebrated annually on the fifth day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Shrawan according to the lunar calendar, the festival holds deep religious and cultural significance.
According to tradition, placing an image of a Nag on the front door is believed to ward off dangers from snakes and scorpions, as well as protect against fire and lightning strikes. Families also offer milk, flowers, grass, and rice grains to serpent deities as part of ritual worship.
The practice of Nag worship dates back to the Vedic period, where serpents were considered powerful divine beings. In Vedic texts, Nag is revered as the king of snakes, symbolizing protection, fertility, and rebirth.
Temples dedicated to serpent gods—particularly Nagpokhari in Naxal, Taudaha in Kirtipur, and Nagdaha in Lalitpur—witness a large influx of devotees on this day. Worshippers offer prayers, light oil lamps, and perform puja rituals to seek protection and blessings for prosperity and well-being.
Nagpanchami also marks the harmonious relationship between humans and nature, particularly with animals and deities associated with rain and the monsoon season.
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