Hindus throughout Nepal are observing Naag Panchami, the festival to honour snakes on Monday.

The festival falls on the Shrawan Shukla Panchami as per the lunar calendar and is marked by worshipping Naag or the snake god.

Devotees paste a picture of Naag on the main door of their houses to mark the auspicious day.

The Naag is worshipped as the god of rain and water and is believed to bestow his devotees with wealth and prosperity with his presence in the house.

It is believed that pasting the picture of the snake god also safeguards the family from snakes and scorpions, and also from fire and lightning.

Special worship is being observed in Nagpokhari and Taudaha in Kathmandu, Siddhapokhari in Bhaktapur and other ponds and shrines across the country today.

Here are some images of the festival at Naagpokhari, Naxal taken by Post’s photographer Elite Joshi.