Carved or painted figures of snakes can be found on the walls of many Hindu temples that exist from the medieval era. Manu, the ancient law-giver of the Hindus, also mentions the Nagas and the Sarpas (Snakes). In the Brahmanas of the Samhita part of the Yajur-Veda, invocations are addressed to serpents, and sweet sacrifices are offered for their acceptance. In the 8th Ashtaka of the Rig Veda, It is mentioned about Sarpa-Rajni or “the queen of the serpents or the queen of all that moves.” The Yajur-Veda provides a more definite account of serpent worship the Samhita of this Veda contains prayers to the Sarpas(snakes) who are addressed as denizens of the heavens, the skies, the rays of the sun, the waters, the vegetables, and the like. The celebration of Naga Panchami in the month of Shrawan also explains the deep association of Lord Shiva and the commemoration of the snake as his companion. Snake is also given due importance because it is considered the ornament of Lord Shiva around his neck. After the Naga culture gradually got incorporated into Hindu Dharma, the Indo-Aryans also gradually accepted many of the snake deities as their God.Īn ancient throne from the Malla rulers of Lalitpur (1580-1768) presented to king Srinivasa Malla (1661-’85) in 1666. It is said that the snake-worship amongst the Nagas was extremely popular, and it can be proved according to the evidence derived from the Indus Valley civilization of 3000 B.C.E. This dates to the ancient time when the Nagas, a highly developed and advanced clan, resided in India. The snake or the Nagas have been long feared and respected in Hindu dharma for what they represent. The Hindu dharma respects and idolizes all aspects of nature it may be the docile cow or the ferocious Snake. Worshiping Lord Garuda on this day also grants a protective shield against all snake-related malefic conditions. Interestingly it is also termed Garuda Panchami – Garuda is the natural enemy of the Snakes and serpents. According to the Hindu calendar, Naga Panchami falls on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the lunar day in the month of Shravan.
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