Naga Panchami.

Naga Panchami is a unique festival of India. It is the festival of Snakes. This festival of Snakes is celebrated on the fifth day (hence the name Naga Panchami, Naga = Snakes, Panchami = Fifth) after the Amavasya (new moon) in the Hindu calendar month of Shravan; which falls in the months of July / August.

The festival has its origins most probably in the increased human/snake conflict that happens during the Indian monsoon, which starts in June. The monsoon rains flood the Snake nests, forcing them to seek dry ground and hence into human habitation.

Myth and Folklore have added their own color to the festival. According to lore, Naga Panchami is the day that Lord Krishna had conquered Naga Kālia and put an end to his evil deeds.

Though not as popular as the major Indian festivals of Diwali or Dassehra, It is celebrated across country by offerings of milk and oblation to the Snake deities. The most popular places to visit for this festival are:

 * Adiesha Temple - Andhra Pradesh

 * Nagaraja Temple - Kerala

 * Nagathamman Temple - Chennai

 * Hardevja Temple - Jaipur

 * Nagvasuki Temple - Daragunj

 * Nagasthala, Subramanya temple, Kukke about 120 kilometers from Mangalore

 However *the* place to be during the festival of Naga Panchami is the village of Baltis Shirale, which is situated approximately 400 kilometers (approximately 250 miles) from Mumbai, the most outstanding of all the celebrations happens here. Reportedly, the largest collection of snakes in the world can be found in Baltis Shirale.

 By the way, Did I say Naga Panchami is unique to India? Well, not exactly. Check out the "Processione dei Serpari" in Italy. Also, did you know, Thiruananthapuram, the capital of Kerala is derived from the legendary snake ‘Anantha’ - one of the eight great Nagas of Puranic literature!

Pix courtesy: 4to40.