네팔의 뱀 숭배와 나가 판차미 축제

Abstract

In Hindu belief system or mythology Naga or serpent is connected with water or earth, and it is compared to Garuda which symbolized as sun bird. These stories, images or motives are very well described in Mahabharata. In Hindu religion Naga is associated with Vishnu, Krishna, Shiva and other gods. Naga of Vishnu is most famous. Vishnu reposes on the coils of a prodigious Naga, his favourite symbolic animal known as Ananta(endless) Shesa. He is relaxing on the back of a thousand headed gigantic Naga, ie. Shesa. Krishna, the ninth incarnation of Vishnu, in his childhood subdued dreadful Kaliya Naga. The story related to the Kaliya Naga describes one of the great endeavors of Krishna. Naga is favourite of Shiva, too. Shiva is shown with hooded cobras around his neck as his decoration. The image of Shiva is always possesses Naga around his neck and in the Shiva Lingam Nagas are coiled around the Lingam. And Naga is depicted on the sanctum walls of Hindu temples and shrines. Nagas are door guardians of the house and temples. Serpents are considered guardians of the deep sea, river, lake, springs, wells and ponds having gems and pearls. It is said that if serpents are worshipped there will be no drought. In the statue of Malla and Shah kings there are the canopy of the Naga's head, the celestial parasol above the head of statues. That is, in Nepal the king was treated as an incarnation of Vishnu. Naga Panchami is celebrated with different stories in the area of Katmandu valley. During the festival of Naga Panchami on every door people paste picture on Nagas and worship according to Hindu rituals or rites. Generally the sketch picture of snakes and Krishna pasted on the doorways on the Naga Panchami day. In Naga Panchami day the Nagas are worshiped at Sidda Pokhari of Bhakatpur, Nagdaha of Lalitpur, Naga Pokhari of Katmandu, and other lakes, ponds and temples with the localized myths and stories, mixed with or without those of Mahabharata.