Kathmandu, August 16

Hindu devotees observed Nag Panchami across the country by worshipping the snake deity today.

They thronged holy sites, including the temples of snake deity, chanting mantras to mark the festival.

According to legends, snakes are worshipped on this day to avoid bad omen. People pasted pictures of snakes containing mantras on house walls and entrances.

As per the Hindu tradition, people worship eight principal snake deities offering them cow’s milk, ghee, lava, barley, sesame and nuts.

Large crowds of devotees visited religious places like Nag Daha, Nag Pokhari, Tau Daha and Pashupatinath to worship the snake deity.

The statue of Nag situated in the middle of Nag Pokhari was decorated and bathed with milk. Shiva temples are also favoured places for veneration of snakes considered dear to the Hindu deity.

Nag Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of the moonlit-fortnight in the month of Shrawan.