Nag Panchami being observed across the nation amid Covid-19 pandemic

KATHMANDU: Nag Panchami festival is being observed across the nation by worshipping the snake diety on Friday.

Nag Panchami is a Hindu festival dedicated to serpent God and is observed on the fifth day of the bright half of the Nepali month of Shrawan as per the lunar calendar.

Hindu devotees used to throng the temples like Nag Pokhari, Tau Daha and Pashupatinath among others in the Kathmandu Valley in the past but due to the Covid-19 pandemic almost all the temples have worn a deserted look this year.

On the occasion, people paste pictures of snakes containing mantras above the entrance of the house and perform Puja with cow dung. There is a belief in the Hindu community that doing so will keep snakes away from home.

The authorities have not allowed the devotess to enter the above mentioned temples among others owing to the heath safety protocol.

Devotees who have come to visit the Nagpokhari Temple have returned home by offering prayers from outside the temple.