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Panchami
habba or Festival is one of the auspicious day for Hindu
women. India, the land of cobra, and snake charmers as it is
famous for, has special reverence to the snakes. The
serpents are associated with many Gods in the Hindu
mythology.
Naga (snake) Panchami is the fifth day of the Shravana Month
of the Hindu calendar. On this day sculpt images or idols of
snakes are made and worshipped through the country. In South
India figures of snakes are drawn with red sandalwood paste
on wooden boards, clay images are made in yellow and black
colour. Off late people buy Snake Gods made of silver , gold
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Pancha
Loha(combination of 5 metals preffered specially of
worship). People visit the Naga temple or “Ant hill” is
worshipped with reference that snakes lived in Ant hills.
People decorate the ant hill with vermilon, turmeric,
flowers and fruits. They prepare special sweets and
savouries out of till seeds, pop corn from jawar etc. They
offer milk and honey. Some also perform Puja to actual
cobra, considering it as the sacred and the favourite of
Lord Shiva.
There is also special significance of this festival that the
brothers invite sisters and offer them gifts and presents,
enhancing the bonds between the families. This is similar to
“Raksha Bandhan” which comes in the same season.
Naga Panchami is held to honour the Serpent God. But due to
the festive rituals, people tend to catch snakes in the wild
and torture the poor creatures. They force them to drink
milk, their fangs are forcible taken out to join the rituals
of the day. Festival goes can celebrate and enjoy themselves
without torturing snakes
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