Nag Panchami sees devotees bowing to serpentine deities

Nag Panchami, which brings out a unique bondage between man and reptile, was celebrated with gusto across northern India on Saturday.

By Amit Kumar / Virendra Pathak

Dara Ganj/Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), Aug 18 : Nag Panchami, which brings out a unique bondage between man and reptile, was celebrated with gusto across northern India on Saturday.

Nag Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of the holy month of Shravan in the monsoon season.

On this day, devotees venerate the snake god as part of a custom passed down the generations.

Snakes are worshipped and even fed milk during the festival.

In Allahabad's Dara Ganj District, devotees thronged a temple to pay obeisance to the Snake God.

"Today is the fifth day of the monsoon month according to Hindu calendar. The temple here is the only snake temple in the world. People from all around the world come here and whatever wishes they have in their hearts, get fulfilled," said Dinesh Pandey, a devotee.

Meanwhile, devotees in Ayodhya poured into temples to offer flower petals and milk to snakes.

Meena Jha, another devotees said: "The fear of snakes, like sometimes they come into our houses and pay us a visit by coming here and offering milk to them, they do not pay us a visit anymore."

This day also serves the purpose of wildlife conservation as millions of Hindus refuse to harm snakes or any reptiles on this day.

Snake charmers, an otherwise impoverished lot, command importance on this day.

Devotees buy pairs of serpents, which cost any where between 500 to 1100 rupees, and later release them in the forests.

Animal rights activists, however, say hundreds of snakes die during the festival every year, many as a result of drinking milk which causes severe dehydration and allergic reactions.

ANI