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Panchami is celebrated by the Hindus
Nag Panchami comes on the 5th day of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar
Importance of Nag Panchami
Nag Panchami is a very unique festival that is devoted to snakes. This is dedicated to respect the Serpent god also known as the Nag Devta. This festival is known even before the Aryan invasion and later snakes worship was introduced by the Aryans themselves into Hindu mythology. Hindu mythology is filled with photos of snakes, stories and fables.
Lord Vishnu's couch in the greenery had thousand-headed snakes that could hold up earth easily. Lord Vishnu wears a snake in his neck as an ornament. Another legend says that lord Krishna is also known as "Kaliya Mardan" to remember his great victory over the huge snake called as Kaliya.
Legends say that a farmer while he was plowing his farm accidentally killed some young snakes. The serpent decided to take revenge by biting all the family members of the farmer except his daughter, because she used to worship snakes. This dedication of the girl resulted in recovery of her family. Hence forth farmers have stopped plowing land on Nag Panchami. Snake worship is however assumed to have originated from the humans natural fear.
Another famous legend said that one of the famous tantric kings used his power to force Nagas to return rain back to the earth. They had taken rains away from the land. After this Nagas returned rain to the king, but the king also came to known their powers so in honour to their power the King decided to celebrate this festival. The serpents are believed to have the power of controlling the rains, so it is very important for the Nepalese to show their honour to snakes during this festival and insure that they do not insult the god.
Celebration of Nag Panchami
On the eve of this festival people post a picture of snake on the door or above the door to keep away the evil spirit. Prayers are offered during Nag Panchami. People wear demon masks and dance on the street for entertaining and showing the importance of this festival. It is also said that milk and honey should be offered to the Nag Devta especially for this festival. People leave milk and honey in their premises for offering the snakes. All the prayers and the offering are honored to the Serpent King.
Women have bath, clean their house and get well dressed up. They wear new cloths and apply mehendi on their hands especially for this festival. They carry Puja thali which includes kumkum, milk pot and some flowers to do aarti of the Nag Devta. After doing aarti they feed Nag Devta milk with their own hands and pray for their families' well fare. Some also offer sweet, ghee and water. It is said that if the snakes drink milk by the hands of the devotee then they are considered lucky.
Traditional food
This is very auspicious festival for the Hindus so they prepare variety of dishes on this day. Some of the dishes prepared on this occasion are black sesame ladoo, narial mithai, patholi, wada, kheer, and puri bhaji and puram poli.
This festival is celebrated in many parts of India. It is celebrated with different customs and traditions in different parts of the country. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fun.
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