Why is the cobra sacred in India?
Shiva’s cobra The Indian or spectacled cobra (Naja naja) is a poisonous snake, but it’s considered sacred in Hinduism because it is closely related to the god Shiva. Shiva is one of the best-known gods of the Hindu pantheon, because he’s the lord of the two superior and contradictory forces: Creation and destruction.
What does a cobra symbolize in India?
In India, both Hindus and Buddhists have special reverence for the cobra. Hindus believe in the immortality of the snake due to the shedding of its skin, and a snake eating its tail is a Hindu symbol of eternity. The Indian deity Vishnu sits atop a thousand-headed serpent, which also represents eternity.
Which poisonous snake is Worshipped in India?
Indian Cobra, Spectacled Cobra – (Naja naja) Indian cobra “The Holy Snake” is associated with the lingam the emblem of Lord Shiva and during ‘Naag-Panchami’ festival people worship the cobra snake like any other god.
Why do we worship Nagas?
The snake primarily represents rebirth, death and mortality, due to its casting of its skin and being symbolically “reborn”. Over a large part of India there are carved representations of cobras or nagas or stones as substitutes.
What is Naga snake called in English?
cobra
Meaning. “Naga” (नाग; nāga) is a Sanskrit word that means “cobra.” The word is sometimes also used to refer to any kind of snake.
Who is the Lord of Nagas?
Adishesha also called as Sheshanaga is the king of nagas. Puranas mention Adishesha as the one who holds all planets and universe on his hoods and sings glories of Lord Vishnu. He is often depicted resting on Shesha.
Why are cobras Worshipped?
The cobra is considered by Hindus to be the bearer of ancestors’ souls. Folk tradition also holds that snakes protect the locality they are found in. “The devout avoid digging the soil, cutting vegetables and frying on the day,” says Vascoresident Pushpa Kulkarni.
Why do India worship snakes?
Snake worship is a tradition being followed in India since ages and is present in several ancient cultures, where snakes are portrayed as an entity of strength. Due to snakes’ nature of casting its skin, it represents rebirth, death and mortality. Several Hindu temples houses snake idols and images carved on rocks.