| Naga
panchami |
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The Festival of the Snakes
This popular Hindu festival, which falls on the fifth day of
the bright fortnight in the month of Shriven, is observed to
minimize the danger of snakebites in the monsoon months.
Naga literally means 'serpent' and panchami is the 'fifth day'
Naga Panchami is the festival of snakes celebrated on the
fifth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Shriven. The
festival falls during the rainy months and is believed to
counter the increased possibility of a snakebite during this
time. People visit temples specially dedicated to snakes and
worship them. Shiva temples are also favored places for
veneration as snakes are considered dear to him. In South
India, people craft images of snakes using cow dung on either
side of the entrance to the house to welcome the snake god.
Snakes are believed to like milk. As this is the day of the
serpents, devotees pour milk into all the holes in the ground
around the house or near the temple to propitiate them.
Sometimes, a small pot of milk with some flowers is placed
near the holes so that the snakes may drink it. If a snake
actually drinks the milk, it is considered to be extremely
lucky for the devotee. The festival is celebrated with much
enthusiasm by all, especially women.
Devotees pour milk into snakes holes
As most rivers in India are in spate during the month of
Shriven, poisonous snakes come out of their subterranean
abodes and creep about in plenty all over the place. Many also
float on flooded rivers running through the countryside.
Mortality from snakebites must have been considerable to
prompt people to worship the nagas to seek protection from
them. Because of the fear, nagas were elevated to a divine
status by the Hindus. The serpents are believed to have the
capability to change their shape at will. When in human form,
they are depicted as beautiful women and handsome men.
According to a legend, Kadru, the mother of the nagas, once
bet with her sister Vinata about the colour of the tail of
Indra's horse. She asserted that the tail was black even
though the horse was absolutely white. According to Vinata
however, the tail of the horse was as white as the rest of it.
Kadru then asked her sons the nagas to coil around the white
tail of the horse so that it appeared black. When they refused
to participate in deceit, Kadru cursed them to be consumed by
fire for disobeying her. Brahma however softened the curse and
sent them to live in the netherworld. This happened on the
fifth day in the month of Shriven and because the lives of the
nagas was spared on this day, it is considered to be
auspicious for snake worship.
Naga Panchami is observed indifferent ways in different parts
of India. It is one of the most ancient fasts, and finds
mention in the Puranas. It is believed to be one of the most
auspicious days of the entire year. According to the Bhavishya
Purana, when men bathe the snakes called Vasuki, Takshaka,
Kaliya, Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritarashtra, Karkotaka and
Dhananjaya with milk on the fifth day of the bright fortnight
of Shriven, they ensure freedom from danger for their
families.
When in human form, snakes are depicted as beautiful women.
Again, according to the BhavishyaPurana, worshippers should
make gold, silver or clay images of snakes and worship them
with kaner, jasmine and incense, feed Brahmins with ghee and
payasa, and bathe the snake images with milk. This would
bestow safety from snakebites on the worshippers. The Bhavishyottara Purana enjoins a person to make figures of cow
dung and place them on both sides of his door. He should then
worship them with curds, Durva tendrils, Kusha grass,
sandalwood paste, flowers and presents of food.
In some parts of southern India, figures of snakes are drawn
with red sandalwood paste on wooden boards, or clay images of
snakes coloured yellow or black are purchased. These are then worshipped and offered milk. Snake charmers wander about with
all sorts of snakes, to which people offer milk. The snake
charmers are paid some money for allowing this Serpent worship
developed gradually from the fear of serpents that must have
taken a heavy toll on life, particularly at the beginning of
the rainy season. In the Ashvalayana Grihyasutra, the
Paraskara Grihyasutra and other Grihyasutras, a rite called
Sarpabali or 'offerings to serpents' was performed on the full
moon night of Shriven. However the reason that it was moved
from the full moon night to that of the fifth night of the
bright fortnight is not apparent. It may be due to the slight
change in the time of the onset of the rains.
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