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.
