India's Snake Worshipping
In India the snake ranks just under the cow for sacred rankings. Due to their swift movements, hypnotic eyes, and poisonous bites snakes are figures of myth and legends. Interestingly it was worshipped in the hope that the snakes would protect them instead of harm them. All of these things make snake worshipping an important part of life in southern India.
These snakes are portrayed as huge cobras with several hoods, or a human head with a serpents body. The serpents with the humans heads are considered the king of all snakes, capable of taking human forms. These half human, half snake figures are said to live in Patala loka and their capital, Bhogvati, is said to be the richest and most beautiful city in the entire world. Most commonly snakes re said to be the offspring of Sage Kashyapa and Kadru. The local people say that they were produced from Brahma's tears, produced only after he realized that he could not create the universe by himself.
Festivals are held multiple times throughout the year to celebrate snakes. Snake worship is based around idols be placed in milk and sometimes even blood, offering this milk to the idols, or even putting mil down snake holes. Nagapanchami is an important snake festival where snakes are worshiped to gain knowledge as well as wealth. Certain snakes are said to have the power to fulfill desires. Snake worship still continues today in in India and can seen portrayed in many movies being made today!
1 comment:
Very interesting! I wonder if the conservation of snakes is easier in countries where people have more regard for snakes, or if there's enough variation in views to prove difficult for the snakes.
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