KUMAON VILLAGES UPHOLD PRISTINE GLORY OF NAAG LORE
and/or www.mantra.com/jai
By Anupma Khanna
Dehradoon - Archaic as it may sound to urban inhabitants, in the
mountain villages of Kumaon continues to thrive the ancient cult of
serpent worship, a grand spectacle seen on the occasion of Nag
Panchami on Thursday.
As per legends, nag devtas, or snake gods, are worshipped as
ancestral deities. They are locally called kul devtas among a large
Kumaoni community.
"Known locally as Birur Panchami, the festival of Nag Panchami
occupies a place of significance among the descendants of Nagas
residing in the
region, comprising several Kumaoni villages with nag in their
nomenclature.
In Hinduism, it falls on the fifth day of the bright half of
Shravana. The occurrence of Nag Panchami attracts swarms of snake
worshippers to local temples, especially the seven famous nag temples
of Bedinag, Kalinag, Peelinag, Moolnag, Ferinag, Dhoolinag and
Basukinag. Of these, the biggest fair on Nag Panchami is organised
every year at Bedinag," explained social scientist GC Joshi who has
been studying folk forms and religions of Uttarakhand.
Devotees make a beeline to the shrines where priests give sacred
offerings to the temple deity. Special chants are also recited.
Poised timelessly atop a hill in Pithoragarh, the snake shrine of
Bedinag commands considerable followers also lending its name to the
native town. A roughly two-kilometre trek from the mountain
settlement leads to this temple, offering an alluring view of
magnificent Himalayan peaks. On Nag Panchami there are exalted mass
prayers and a fair.
According to native author Veenapani Joshi, "The Puranas narrate that
lord Brahma's son, Kashyapa, had four wives of whom the third, named
Kadroo, gave birth to Nagas. These Nagas ruled Patal Loka and are
believed to be the great forefathers of a section of Kumaoni people."
The rare cave temple of Patal Bhuvaneshwar is situated near Bedinag.
Observed with traditional ceremonies, Nag Panchami is revered as one
of the most auspicious days of the year in the region, with a widely
held belief that dedicated prayers honouring the snakes offer
protection from danger.
Given eastern Kumaon's proximity with Nepal, Nepalese rituals also
find a way to the local homes. Dharchula resident, Deepak Negi says:
"The whole Nag region comprises Bedinag, Pingalnag, Basukinag,
Kalinag, Feninag, Harinag and Dhaulinag. People put pictures of
snakes at their thresholds to defend against evil spirits. They pray
and keep offerings of milk, flowers, rice and honey. Flour
impressions of serpents are drawn on wooden boards and are
worshipped."
As the practice fades in many non-rural realms, these people carry
forward an intriguing form of faith in a salvaged remnant of
antiquated cultural mores.
http://dailypioneer.com/358561/Kumaon-villages-uphold-pristine-glory-of-Nag-lore.html
More at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti
A previous post:
NAAG PANCHAMI FESTIVAL
Forwarded post from S.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Nag Panchami Festival
Today is the fifth day of Shravan Maas. We celebrate Nagpanchami on
this auspicious day. Below is the importance of this festival:
(Taken from Hindu Janajagriti Samiti)
Nag Panchami Festival
Content
o Tithi
o History
o Greatness of snakes
o Worship
o Implied meaning
o Fordidden action
o Importance of fasting
o Science behind worshiping Cobra
o Reason for wearing new clothes and ornaments
o Importance of applying mehandi
o Importance of playing swing
o Prayer to be done on the day of Nag Panchami
Tithi
Shravan Shukla Panchami (Fifth day of the bright fortnight of the
Hindu lunar month of Shravan).
History
King Janmejay who performed sarpyadnya (the sacrificial fire of
snakes) was appeased by Sage Astik. When Janmejay told Him to ask for
a boon, Sage Astik asked for the cessation of sarpyadnya. The day on
which Janmejay stopped sarpyadnya was Shravan Shukla Panchami.
Greatness of snakes
1. Sheshnag supports the Earth on His hood. He lives in Hell and has
a hundred hoods with a diamond on each. He evolved from the tama
component of Lord Vishnu. At the end of every kalp (a day and night
of Lord Brahm), Vishnu relaxes in the great ocean on the body of
Sheshnag. In the Tretayug when Lord Vishnu incarnated as Lord Ram,
Sheshnag incarnated as Lakshman, His brother. Lord Krushna incarnated
in the transition period between the Dwaparyug and Kaliyug. At that
time Sheshnag incarnated as Balram, His brother.
2. The day Lord Krshn killed the serpent Kaliya in the bed of Holy
river Yamuna, was Shravan Shukla Panchami.
3. In the Shrimadbhagvadgita, Lord Krshn while narrating His
greatness states, "The supreme amongst serpents, is 'Anant', that is
me."
'Nine types of serpents - Anant, Vasuki, Shesh, Padmanabh, Kambal,
Shankhapal, Dhrutarashtra, Takshak and Kaliya are worshipped. As a
result, fear of serpents is overcome and poisoning by venom is
prevented.'
Worship
On this day, figures of Navnag (nine cobras) are drawn with turmeric
or raktachandan (red sandalwood) on a wooden seat and are worshipped;
they are offered naivedya of milk and parched rice. The Navnag
comprise the nine major groups of pavitraks. Pavitraks are the
subtlemost Divine particles.
Implied meaning
'All living organisms in the world are attuned to the functions of
the world. By worshipping cobras on the day of Nagpanchami, God is
performing actions through them. This is the broad view to be
understood.' - H. H. Parashram Madhav Pande Maharaj, Sanatan Ashram,
Devad, Panvel.
Fordidden action
On this day we should not chop, cut, fry, even keep a frying pan on
the fire etc. These norms should be followed. Also digging on this
day is forbidden.
Importance of fasting
Five ages ago there was an inferior goddess named Satyeshwari.
Satyeshwar was her brother. Satyeshwar died on the day before
NagPanchami. In grief of her brother's death she did not eat any
food. Hence females observe fast on that day for their brothers for
brother's longevity, acquiring of various weapons and for him to come
out from sorrows and dangers safely is also one of the reason for
observing the fast. If the sister calls out to god for her brother on
the previous day of NagPanchami, then the brother gets 75% benefit
and is also protected.
Science behind worshiping Cobra
Satyeshwari saw her brother in the form of Cobra. At that instance
she believed that the Cobra was her brother. At that time the
Nagdevta (Cobra goddess) gave her a promise that any female who would
worship him as her brother, he would protect her. Hence on that day
every female celebrates NagPanchami by worshipping Cobra.
Reason for wearing new clothes and ornaments
Nagdev was pleased with the grief of Satyeshwari for her brother. To
reduce her grief and to make her happy he then gave her new clothes
to wear. He also decorated her with various ornaments. On that
Satyeshwar was satisfied. Hence on that day females wear new clothes
and ornaments.
Importance of applying mehandi
Satyeshwar stood in front of Satyeshwari in the form of Nagraj.
Feeling that he would leave, Satyeshwari took a promise from Him i.e.
from Nagraj. While giving the promise a mark of promise appeared on
her hands. As a representation of that promise on the day before
NagPanchami every female applies mehandi on her hands.
Importance of playing swing
Next day Satyeshwari did not see Nagraj. She then started roaming
here and there in the jungle and while searching climbed the branches
of the trees to look out for him. At that time Nagraj appeared before
her in visible form and manifested as Satyeshwar. At that time she
started swinging on the branches of the trees with joy. This is the
reason for females to play swing on that day. The objective for
playing swing on that day is, 'As the swing goes up so should the
brother should progress towards the summit and as the swing goes down
all the problems and sorrows in his life should go down'. Any sister
who thinks and acts with this faith then her brother's spiritual
benefit is 5% and worldly benefit 30%.
Prayer to be done on the day of Nag Panchami
On the day of NagPanchami the outcry of the sister who prays with
intense yearning for the progress of her brother reaches the feet of
the God. Hence for establishment of the Divine Kingdom every sadhika
on that day should pray that every youth should get wisdom, strength
and capability. On NagPanchami maximum chanting should be done to
acquire peace. One should stay calm and try to overcome one's
personality defects.
End of forwarded post from S.
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti
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