Nepal Celebrates Nag Panchami with Serpent Worship and Offerings

Hindu families across Nepal marked Nag Panchami on Monday, a festival dedicated to worshipping serpent deities. Devotees adorned their homes by placing images of snake gods above their doorways and offering prayers, milk, flowers, and other ritual items.

The festival falls on the fifth day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Shrawan. During Nag Panchami, worshippers offer milk, rice grains, flowers, and sacred grass to the serpent gods. These offerings are made with the aim of seeking protection from snakes and invoking blessings for peace and prosperity within the home.

Religious sites dedicated to serpent deities in the Kathmandu Valley experienced a surge of devotees from early morning. Key locations such as Nagpokhari, Taudaha, and Nagdaha hosted special prayers and rituals as part of the day's observances.

Beyond its religious observances, Nag Panchami also highlights the importance of protecting snakes and the natural environment. The festival acknowledges the ecological role of snakes, particularly in farmland where they help control rodent populations, thus contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem. This dual significance underscores a long-standing tradition of reverence for snakes in Nepal.