KATHMANDU, Aug. 9: The festival of Nag Panchami is being observed across the country by Hindus today as per the time-honoured tradition. As per the lunar calendar, this festival falls on the fifth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August)

The festival is being marked by worshipping Nag or the snake god and pasting a picture of the snake god above the main door of every household.    

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

Worshipping the snake god is believed to have started in the Vedic age as Nag is considered the king of snakes as per the Vedic tradition.    

Special worship is offered at Nagpokhari and Taudaha in Kathmandu, Siddhapokhari in Bhaktapur and several other ponds and shrines across the country on this day.    

After worshipping, the snake god is offered cow milk, rice pudding and other. -- RSS