Nag Devata

Nag Devata refers to the serpent deities venerated across the Indian subcontinent, embodying both protective and chthonic powers. The earliest references to nāgas appear in the Rigveda, where the serpent Vritra is a cosmic adversary (Rigveda 1.32), but later texts such as the Mahabharata (Adi Parva) and the Puranas elevate nāgas to semi-divine beings inhabiting the subterranean realm of Patala. The Mahabharata narrates the story of the serpent king Takshaka and the great snake sacrifice (Sarpa Satra) performed by King Janamejaya, illustrating the complex relationship between humans and serpents. In the Puranas, nāgas are often depicted as wise, powerful beings who guard treasures and serve as protectors of dharma.

Iconographically, Nag Devata is represented by stone snake idols (nāg stones) placed under neem or peepal trees, sometimes as a single cobra or multiple serpents intertwined. These stones are anointed with milk, turmeric, and vermilion during worship. The symbolism of the serpent encompasses fertility, prosperity, and the cyclical nature of time, as the serpent sheds its skin to symbolize rebirth. The principal festival dedicated to Nag Devata is Nag Panchami, observed on the fifth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Shravana, when live snakes are venerated and milk offerings are made.

Regional traditions vary: in Maharashtra, married women worship the snake for marital harmony; in South India, snake shrines (nāgabana) are common, often associated with the worship of Subrahmanya (Skanda Purana). In Hindu cosmology, nāgas are considered guardians of the underworld and are often depicted as the bed of Lord Vishnu (Shesha) or as adornments of Lord Shiva. The worship of Nag Devata serves to appease serpents, prevent snakebites, and invoke blessings for progeny and agricultural abundance. The tradition holds that offering milk and prayers to nāg stones on Nag Panchami brings protection and prosperity to the household.

Stone snake idols (nag stones) often placed under trees. Sometimes multiple snakes coiled together. Represented by simple stone carvings.