Nagpanchami Festival Celebrated Today, Honoring Naga God

The vibrant Nagpanchami festival is being joyously celebrated today, as devotees across Nepal engage in the worship of the revered Naga or serpent deity. A cherished Hindu tradition, this annual celebration involves affixing images of the Naga to the front doors of homes.

Marked on the fifth day of Shrawan Shukla according to the Lunar calendar, Nagpanchami holds special significance in protecting against potential harm from snakes, scorpions, fires, and lightning. According to Prof Dr Debmani Bhattarai, a distinguished theologian and member of the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee, adhering to this custom is believed to shield households from these perils.

Rooted in ancient Vedic practices, the veneration of the Naga has a long historical lineage. The Naga, revered as the sovereign of snakes in Vedic lore, holds a central place in this festival. Throughout the Kathmandu valley, Naga temples such as Nagpokhari, Taudaha, and Nagdaha are attracting throngs of devotees seeking blessings and protection on this auspicious day.