Nag Panchami (falls on July 8th in 2012 ) is a festival of great significance in many parts of India. Since time immemorial, snakes have been revered and feared due to their mysterious movement and toxic venom. Nag Panchami is an occasion to show respect and appease the snake gods. Many households do pooja on this day to protect their families from snake bites and to get rid of Kaal Sarpa Dosha. Nag Panchami is celebrated differently in various parts of India and Nepal. But, one common custom on Nag Panchami, is to feed snakes with milk and to pray at temples of Lord Shiva.
According to some legends, it is said that Lord Krishna's famous conquest of the dreaded snake Kalia took place on Nag Panchami. It is also said to be an auspicious time to bring welfare into the family.
Unmarried women may use Nag Panchami as a holy occasion to appease the Gods and get a good husband. On the day of Nag Panchami, one should get up early in the morning and finish bathing. Then take a bowl of milk to a nearby Shiva or Murugan temple and give for abhisheka. Then after returning from the temple, the devotee may have the milk as prasad. The rest of the day should involve prayers to Lord Shiva or Lord Murugan. In the evening, the devotee may keep a bowl of milk with a teaspoon of honey beside a lamp and chant mantras of Lord Shiva. This will help to relieve the effects of any dosha that is acting as a hurdle in getting married.
Nagas or Snakes are said to be present in the pathala loka. The following is a mantra that contains the name of the great nagas according to scriptures. It is said that chanting this mantra will help to appease the revered snakes and will bring welfare to the family.
According to some legends, it is said that Lord Krishna's famous conquest of the dreaded snake Kalia took place on Nag Panchami. It is also said to be an auspicious time to bring welfare into the family.
Unmarried women may use Nag Panchami as a holy occasion to appease the Gods and get a good husband. On the day of Nag Panchami, one should get up early in the morning and finish bathing. Then take a bowl of milk to a nearby Shiva or Murugan temple and give for abhisheka. Then after returning from the temple, the devotee may have the milk as prasad. The rest of the day should involve prayers to Lord Shiva or Lord Murugan. In the evening, the devotee may keep a bowl of milk with a teaspoon of honey beside a lamp and chant mantras of Lord Shiva. This will help to relieve the effects of any dosha that is acting as a hurdle in getting married.
Nagas or Snakes are said to be present in the pathala loka. The following is a mantra that contains the name of the great nagas according to scriptures. It is said that chanting this mantra will help to appease the revered snakes and will bring welfare to the family.
in some families of hindu brahmins in karnataka, the sisters invite all their brothers to their respective homes and wash their back with milk and give them the food, specially kadubu ( a sweet prepared with rice powder stuffed with coconut,jaggery and cooked like idli ( with steam). This will give them blessings from nagas also.
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