Nag Panchami and its relevance from Mahabharata.

Nag Panchami, I call it a fulcrum of monsoon, right in the midpoint, and this midpoint is culturally stated as Naagpanchami. The convoy of festivals has started and now in the hot sun, there is a hint of Dashain. Sanatana festivals are not only associated with religion but also with culture, our culture is further enriched by festivals like Nag Panchami, the day to worship reptiles, and dedicated to the serpent god, Naag.

The beautiful part of this festival is posting, sticking the serpent's picture on the main gate and doorways, doorway today is washed and the previous year's serpent picture is replaced with the newer one. It is largely believed that worshiping the serpent king protects against the snake. So, this day, which falls on the Panchami of Shravan Shuklapaksh, is dedicated to the snake deity.

There are 12 serpents present in Vedic Darshan, including Ananta, Vasuki, Shesh, Padyam, Kambala, Karkotaka, Ashvatara, Dhritarashtra, Shankapala, Kalia, Takshaka, and Pingala.

Brahmin priests take cow dung and dubo (Pure grass) and stick them on the door of people's houses. It is believed that the image of the affixed serpent protects the people throughout the year. The real historical roots of Nag Panchami are found to be connected with the Mahabharata. The king named Parikshit is bitten by a snake named Taksha and dies.

His son Janmajaya started killing all the snakes in the world to avenge his father's death and for this, he started Mahayagya in which he invited Siddha sages, monks, and Pandits. Such a powerful fire is ignited in the Havan Kunda of the Yagya that all the snakes except Taksha are consumed there, but even the Taksha who have taken refuge in Indra's heaven gradually reach the snake consuming ignition with King Indra due to the increasing effect of the Yagya. Everyone was surprised to see this

Immediately after Manasdevi's son, Astika apologized to Janmajaya, he postponed the Yajna. All the serpents involved in the sacrifice have since been resurrected.

On this day, milk, sweets, flowers, and lava (ie roasted paddy) are offered for the worship of the snake deity. Since it is usually scary and risky to worship with a snake in front of it, the snake deity is worshiped on an idol, wood, or picture today.

May ecosystem is further strengthened and greenery prevails.

Kalki Jayanti

Kalki is the tenth manifestation of Sri Har or Lord Vishnu. The tenth and last incarnation of Lord Vishnu "Kalki Avatar" is a religious belief that this Avatar will be born on this day. Or in other words, Kalki's incarnation will come to this planet on this day, so the welcome rituals are performed in the form of Kalki Jayanti. At the end of the present Kali Yug , when virtue and dharma have disappeared and the world is ruled by the unjust, Kalkin will appear to destroy the wicked and to usher in a new age. He will be seated on a white horse with a naked sword in his hand, blazing like a comet.

Today (Shravan Shukla Panchami) i.e. Kalki Jayanti reminds us that this last incarnation of Lord Vishnu is yet to be born. It is mentioned in the religious texts that after the beginning of iniquity in Kali Yuga, Kalki incarnation shall be born and destroy all sinners and once again restored the human world to the path of religion and righteousness. This incarnation of Lord Vishnu has 64 crafts. According to the Puranas, this incarnation of Lord Vishnu will be born as a son in the house of an ascetic Brahmin and will destroy sinners in the world by riding a horse named Devadatta.

May dharma be strong and may justice prevail.

Suyog Dhakal