Kathmandu — Devotees across the country celebrate Nag Panchami today, a traditional Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Nāgas—the divine serpent deities believed to dwell in the netherworlds and guard water sources.

The festival, celebrated on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shrawan, is marked by rituals, offerings, and symbolic worship of snake deities at homes, temples, and sacred ponds. Today people will visit Nag Pokharis (snake ponds) and shrines dedicated to serpent gods, such as Nag Bahal in Patan and Nag Daha in Kirtipur, offering milk, rice pudding, dubo grass, and flowers.

Families pastes images of Nāgas above the doorways of their homes using cow dung and mud, believing it protects the household from snakebites and misfortune. The images often depict eight prominent serpent gods, including Ananta, Vasuki, Takshaka, Karkotaka, Padma, Mahapadma, Shankha, and Kulika.

This is not only a religious practice but also a way of respecting nature and age-old belief in the harmony between humans and other creatures. “Nag Panchami” reminds us of the sanctity of water sources and the importance of ecological balance.”

In many communities, especially in the Madhes and Hilly regions, special pujas will be conducted at wells, rivers, and stone spouts, where snakes are believed to reside. Traditional songs, folk tales, and rituals are passed down from elders to children, continuing the cultural heritage.

The festival also holds astrological significance, as it is believed that appeasing the Nāgas during this time can prevent Kal Sarp Dosh, a planetary affliction linked with obstacles and bad luck.

Nag Panchami continues to be a vibrant testament to Nepal’s unique blend of spirituality, nature worship, and folk tradition. Despite the influence of modernization, the festival retains a special place in the cultural consciousness of the nation.