Nag-Panchmi is
dedicated to the worship of Nag or snake.
These are also said to be holy or sacred snakes. The festival is celebrated all
over the valley, mainly in Kathmandu city and Pashupatinath. In
the ancient time Nag or the serpents are known as rain getters or the
controllers of rains and monsoon.
It is believed that once before, Kathmandu valley was lake full of snakes or Nags.
In times the place was also known as "Nagarhida", which means the
"abode of snakes". The king of the snakes was Karkotak. It is also
said that he was still alive in Taudaha lake, close to Chhobhar. He lived
in a palace on the bottom of Taudaha.
Once his wife suffered from eye defection. Then he took the shape of a Brahmin
and went to a famous doctor. The doctor agreed to examine his wife. When they
reached on the shore of Taudaha, Karkotak asked him to close his eyes. The
doctor obeyed. After one second he found himself at the bottom of the
lake, at the gate of magnificent palace. He cured the queen .Karkotak was very
happy and satisfied. Then he offered him lots of precious presents. Among
them there was the famous, velvet vest, BHOTO. On the day of the
festival, people clean the house and worship the snake by putting the picture or
the drawings on the main entrance gate. Then they put a "Tika" on it
and pray it.
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