Kathmandu, Aug 21: The Nagpanchami festival is being celebrated today by worshiping the Naga or serpent god, with many pasting pictures of a Naga on the front door of the house as per Hindu tradition.

This festival is celebrated every year on the fifth day of Shrawan Shukla as per the Lunar calendar. There is a religious belief that by hanging a picture of a serpent in the house will avoid harm from snakes and scorpions, as well as from the incidents of fire and lightning, according to Prof Dr Debmani Bhattarai, a theologian and a member of the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee.

The practice of Naga worship is believed to have started from the Vedic period. According to Vedic beliefs, Naga is considered the king of snakes. Naga temples in Kathmandu valley at Nagpokhari, Taudaha and Nagdaha are thronged with devotees on this day.