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THE FOLKLORE OF GUJARAT
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The Nàg panchami is observed as a vrat or 4. The temple of Vasuki Nag near vow, generally by women. They do not Thangadh. This Nàg is supposed to be a take any meal on this day, but live only on servant of the ged Shiva. An old snake kulera. On this day, her Highness the with gray moustaches is said to live in this Maharani of Baroda, mounted on an elephant, temple. He drinks milk at the hands of goes in procession to the woods to worship 1 visitors. Many vows are made in honour of an ant-hill. The pipers who accompany the this snake god. procession blow their pipes, and allured by 5. The temple of Khambhadio Någ at the sound, the snakes come out of their KhÀmbhada. holes, when they are worshipped and fed 6. The temple of Nag Mandal at Dadvi. with milk,1
7. The temple of Bhujia Någ at Bhuj. Women do not pound, grind or sift corn
8. The temple of Shimalia Nàg near on the Màg panchami day, and all people try
Jadeshvar in the neighbourbood of Jetpur. to sce a snake.
9. The temple of Fulia Nàg near JopaIt is obligatory in some families to offer nåth. & cocoanut to the Nagdev (snake god) on 10. The temple of Malodaro Någ at the Nag panchami day.2
Malod. In some places, the likeness of the snake
11. The temple of Charmàlio Någ at is engraved on a stone or copper plate and
Chudia, worshipped. In others, it is drawn on a
12. The temple of Chhatràsia Någ in piece of paper which is affixed to the wall.3
Chhatrasa. In many places there are temples dedicated to snake gods. These gods are known
13. The temple of Monapario Någ at by various names. Some of the temples
Monpar near Chital, with the names of the gods installed in them
14. The temple of Ashapal at Nanadiya
in the Bantva State. are given below 1. The temple of Sarmàlio Någ at Arani
15. The temple of Khodiàl Nàgini at Timba near Bikaner.
Khokharda in the Junagadh State. 2. The temple of Ragatio Någ midway 16. The temple of Gondalia Nag at between Kanaza and Vanthali in the Junagadh Gondal, State:
It is related that there were once divine 3. The temple of Charmalio Nàg at snakes in the royal fort of Jodia. When Chokdi near Chuda. Vows of offering sweets a pair (male and female) of these snakes are made to this Nàg by persons bitten by were found killed, the heinous act was snakes, who visit the temple, hold the sweets atoned for by the bodies of the anakes being before the image of the god, distribute them buried and a temple erected over the grave. among the visitors, and are in return pre- The male snake of this pair is known as Någ sented with cotton thread which they wear Nàth or the Lord of Snakes. round the neck.
According to others, Nag Nath was a big This god is also reputed to have the white snake with gray moustaches. He once power of blessing childless persons with waylaid a milkman of the royal household, offspring. The offerings concerned consist forced him to put down the milkpot he was of cradles, which are presented to the god carrying, drank the milk and went away. after the wished-for object has been fulfilled. This snake is believed to be divine,
· The School Master of Khirasara, 3 The School Master of Dbank.
2 The School Master of Sanka. • The School Master of Jodia.
