AWAKENINGS

  There are many legends about the origin of Nag Panchami which means worshiping snakes, as these snakes had been subdued by Lord Krishna and Lord Siva to be friendly with their devotees. Hence Nagas or Snakes are being worshiped by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Kaliya was a venomous serpent who was poisoning the Yamuna River and Sri Krishna as a child subdued the serpent Kaliya by mounting on its hoods and dancing to the delights of his devotees and thereby, Yamuna River was saved from poison.    Kaliya on his complete surrender to Lord Krishna, the serpent was granted a boon whereby the serpents will be worshiped and it will be celebrated as Nag Panchami. Therefore Sri Krishna was worshiped as ‘Kaliya Rathana’ meaning Lord Krishna overpowered snake Kaliya by dancing on its hoods to the delight of his devotees and relieving them from the snakes’ troubles. During the churning of the ocean, Vasuku, the King of Snakes, was used as ropes and Shiva had honoured her b...