Don't surprise. How possible it is to worship snakes! If you are in this illusion, you can keep away it by visiting the festival of Nag Panchami in different states as Kerla, West Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Panjab and Maharashtra . This festival of snakes is celebrated on Panchami, the fifth day the moonlight fortnight in the Hindu's sacred month Shravan (July/August).
It regarded as the snakes are worshipped all across the country with different customs and traditions, it is true. On the day of Panchami it is believed that serpents invariably come out of their holes in order to seek fo shelter in gardens, and it's a great festive time for snake charmers.
Legend about of originated Nag Panchami
The most well-liked legend about Lord Krishna while he was throwing the ball with his cowherd friends, the myth goes to tell how the ball fell into river Yamuna, how Krishna defeated Kalia Serpent and saved the people from drinking the poisonous water by forcing Kalia to head off. It is a venerable religious belief that serpents are loved and blessed by Lord Shiva.
How Nag Panchami Festival is celebrated!
On the festival day, devotees usually worship live cobras to seek their good will. To preserve one self from snakebites, the snakes are bathed with milk. Haldi-kumkum (turmeric-vermicelli powder) is sprinkled on their heads. As a final point, milk and rice are offered as "naivedya". Very few devotees go to Nag (Snake) temples and Lord Shiva temple to worship. The festival of Nag Panchmi is celebrated in different manners in different states of the country.
West Bengal/Assamies
The Bengalis and Assamese rummage around for the blessings of Goddess Mansa-the queen of serpents. One prays for the safety from the damaging influence of snakes. On Panchami, snake charmers are invited to play melodious tunes for the Snake Queen.
Punjab
Nag Panchami festival is also known as Guga Navami in Panjab. On festival day, a colossal snake is kneaded and molded from flour and butter. The dough-snake is then placed on a winnowing basket, as this is carried with colourful processions around the neighborhood, where females and children express joy and shower flowers. After that, invoking blessings, the dough snake is then obscured.
Maharastra
Nag Panchami is the prime festival of Maharashtrian women. On this occasion, women wear the best of nine-yard sari with ethnic ornaments to worship Nag Devata (snake deity). Snake charmers, move from one locality to another carrying snakes in their woven baskets, fascinating them like pets, while playing melodiously by means of their flutfes uttering cries of 'Nagoba-la dudh de Mayi'" (Offer milk to the Cobra Oh Mother!) On hearing the cries, women come out of their houses. The snake charmers let go them from their baskets, and women sprinkle haldi-kumkum and flowers on the heads of the snakes, offer sweetened milk to the snakes and pray. Money and old clothes are also b bestowed to the snake charmers.
