NAG PANCHAMI: WORSHIPPING DIFFERENT SNAKE DEITIES
Place of Merriment: Maharashtra, Punjab, West Bengal, Kerela
Can you believe the dreaded reptile 'Snake' is worshipped piously celebrated in India? Well, it sounds ridiculous, isn't it? It's true that snakes are worshipped all across the country with different customs and traditions. The festival is called 'Nag Panchami' which is the most popular Hindu festival. It falls on the fifth day of the moonlit fortnight during the holy month of Shravan (July August). On this day, it is believed that serpents invariably come out of their holes to seek shelter in gardens. And it's a great festive time for snake charmers.
Nag Panchami Legends
Since the Indus Valley Civilization, NAGAS were largely widespread in number. They used to worship snakes, much before the arrival of the Aryans. After the Naga culture was incorporated in Hinduism, the Indo-Aryans accepted the snake deities of the Nagas. According to historians, it is believed that cobra snake deities mentioned in the Puranas, were not actually snakes, but Naga Kings of various regions with immense power.
The thousand-headed 'Shesh Nag' symbolize--Eternity. It is the couch of Lord Vishnu, who reclines between the time of the dissolution of one Universe and the creation of another. In Jainism and Buddhism, the snake is hailed as sacred with divine qualities. In Medieval India, figures of snakes were drawn on the walls of Hindu Temples. In Ajanta and Ellora caves, Ajanta images of the rituals of snake worship are found.
The most popular legend is about Lord Krishna. While he was throwing the ball with his cowherd friends, the legend goes to tell how the ball fell into the Yamuna river, how Krishna vanquished Kalia Serpent, and saved the people from drinking the poisonous water by forcing Kalia to go away. It is an age-old religion that serpents are loved and blessed by Lord Shiva. He wears them as ornamentation around his neck.
How is Nag Panchami Celebrated?
Generally, devotees on today worship live size cobras to hunt their goodwill. To protect oneself from snakebites, the snakes are bathed with milk. Haldi-kumkum (turmeric-vermicelli powder' is sprinkled on their heads. Finally, milk and rice are offered as "naivedya".West Bengal/Assam and Orissa
The Bengalis and Assamese seek the blessings of Goddess Mansa-the queen of serpents. He prays for the protection from the harmful influence of snakes. On this day, snake charmers are invited to play melodious tunes for the Snake Queen.
Punjab
It is also as 'Guga Navami'. On this, a huge snake is kneaded and molded from flour and butter. The dough-snake is then placed on a winnowing basket. This is carried with colorful processions around the neighborhood, where women and children rejoice and shower flowers. Thereafter, after invoking blessings, the dough snake is then buried.
Maharastra
Nag Panchami is very popular among Maharashtrian women. On this day, they wear the best of nine-yard sari with ethnic ornaments to worship 'Nag Devata'. Snake charmers, move from one locality to another carrying snakes in their woven baskets, charming them like pets. While playing melodiously with their flutes uttering cries of 'Nagoba-la dudh de Mayi'" (Give milk to the Cobra Oh Mother!) On hearing the cries, women come out of their houses. The snake charmers release them from their baskets. Women sprinkle Haldi-kumkum and flowers on the heads of the snakes. They offer sweetened milk to the snakes and pray. Cash and old clothes also are given to the snake charmers.
KERELA
On this day, snake temples are highly crowded. People worship stone or metal icons of the cosmic serpent Ananta or Sesha. They pray for the prosperity and happiness of the entire family.
Nag Panchami Puja Vidhi: Method of Worship
On the day of Nag Panchami, small squares are painted on all the doors of the house with chadis (pandu / white) and by rubbing the coal in milk, the main doors are made both outside, on the door of the temple and in the kitchen, the signs of the Nag Devta. Go.Nowadays these photos are found in the markets, which you can use, the serpents are worshiped with sweet vermicelli kheer and on this day it is a tradition to feed the serpents, for which in the fields or any place where there is a possibility of snake Ho there is milk kept in a bowl.
First of all, clean the house in the morning and take a bath.
After this, make macaroni and rice for the prasad.
After this, place a new cloth on a wooden plank and put a statue or picture of Naga Devata on it.
Then offer water, fragrant flowers, sandalwood. Make a bath of Nag idol by making panchamrit of milk, curd, disgust, honey, and sugar.
Offer sandalwood, scented water to the statue.
Offer clothes, saubhagya sutra, sandalwood, Haridra, churna, kumkum, sindoor, belpatra, jewelry, and floral garlands, saubhagya dravya, incense lamp, naivedya, Ritu fruits, tambul. Perform Aarti.
Nag Panchami Vrat Katha: Nag Panchami Story
One Merchant had seven boys. Seven were married. The youngest boy's wife was gentle and intelligent. He had no brother. One day the elder daughter-in-law went to bring soil with everyone. She started digging the soil with the sores Then a snake came out there, which the elder daughter-in-law started to kill with the hoof. Seeing this, the younger daughter-in-law said - what has it done to us? Do not kill this poor innocent. Hearing this, the elder daughter-in-law did not kill her. The snake sat aside.The younger daughter-in-law said to her - We just come back and you stay here, don't go. Having said this, she went home with everyone and forgot to work there, that she has asked the snake to stop.
On remembering the other day, when she went there, the snake was there. She said sorry to me brother, I made a mistake. The snake said - If I said brother, I will leave. Today you are my sister, whatever you wish, ask for. He said - I had no brother. I found a brother. A few days later, the snake took the form of a man and came to the sister's house and said - send my sister with me. Snake confides that he is his distant relationship brother. On the way, she told her sister to be her snake. Upon reaching the snake's house, she was surprised to see that kind of weight there.
One day the snake's mother said- 'I am going out of work, give your brother milk. The milk he gave was hot, the snake's mouth burned. Seeing this, the mother of the snake became very angry. The snake said that the sister should be sent to her house now. Then the snake and his father gave him a lot of gold, silver, jewels, clothes, etc. and brought him to his house. Seeing all this wealth, the elder daughter-in-law said with envy - brother is very rich, you should have brought more money. When the snake heard this, he brought more money. The snake gave the younger daughter-in-law a wonderful necklace of diamonds.
The queen of that country also heard her praise and she said to the king that the necklace of the younger daughter-in-law of Seth should come here. The king ordered the minister that he should be present soon after taking the necklace from him. The minister went to Sethji and said that 'Maharaniji will wear a necklace of little daughter-in-law, she will give it to me'. Sethji gave defeat to the younger daughter-in-law due to fear.
The younger daughter-in-law found it very bad, she remembered her brother and said on arrival - brother! The queen has snatched my necklace, you do something that when that necklace is around her neck, it becomes a snake for long and when she returns me it becomes diamonds and beads. The snake did exactly that. As soon as the queen wore the necklace, it became a snake. Seeing this, the queen screamed and started crying. Seeing this, the king sent news to Seth to send the younger daughter-in-law immediately.
Fearing Sethji reached there with the younger daughter-in-law. The king asked the younger daughter-in-law what magic you have done, I will punish you. Younger daughter-in-law said- Rajan! Sorry, but this necklace is such that diamonds and beads remain in my neck and snake becomes on the other's neck. Hearing this, the king made the snake and gave it to him and said - Show it now by wearing it. As soon as the younger daughter-in-law wore her, the necklace became of diamonds. Seeing this, the king was convinced of his words and pleased him and gave him many currencies as well. The younger daughter-in-law returned home with her necklace and money.
Seeing her wealth, the elder daughter-in-law said to her husband because of jealousy, do not know where so much money has come to his wife. Hearing this, her husband called his wife and said - Tell me exactly who gives you this money, she started remembering her brother Snake.
At that time, the snake appeared and said- I will eat anyone who doubts my sister's conduct. Hearing this, the younger daughter-in-law's husband was very happy and he gave great hospitality to the serpent god. From the same day, the festival of Nagpanchami is celebrated and women worship the serpent as their brother.
