Nepal’s Hindu devotees marked Nag Panchami on Monday by worshipping serpent deities and placing images of snakes above the entrances to their homes.

The festival falls on the fifth day of the bright half of Shrawan, a month in the Hindu calendar. Devotees offer milk, rice grains, flowers, sacred grass and other ritual items to the serpent gods, seeking protection from snakes and blessings for peace and prosperity at home.

Religious sites dedicated to serpent deities across Kathmandu Valley drew devotees from early morning. Nagpokhari, Taudaha and Nagdaha are among the places where special prayers and rituals are held during the festival.

Nag Panchami is also associated with the protection of snakes and the natural environment. Snakes found in farmland help control rodents and other pests, making them an important part of the ecosystem.

The festival therefore carries both religious and ecological significance, reflecting a long-standing tradition of reverence for snakes in Nepal.

Photos: Nepal Photo Library