On this auspicious day, may the blessings of Lord Shiva and the Naga Devatas be upon you and your family. Happy Nagula/Naga Panchami 2026! 🙏🐍
Nagula Panchami (Cobra Snakes Panchami
– fifth day of Sravana month) holds
particular significance for our family, as our connection with the Nagula Pamu/cobra
goes back a few generations.
My great-grandfather’s family surname
was Nallanagula, a name associated with a black cobra. According to our family
history, a black cobra was often seen moving about in their house at
Narayanaraopeta Town, and over time this became closely associated with the
family’s reputation, and hence the surname Nallanagula (people associated with black
cobra). There is a fascinating story behind it, which has been recorded in our
family history.
When my great-grandfather later
migrated from Narayanaraopeta to Secunderabad, the family name gradually came
to be associated with Narayanaraopeta, the town from which the family had
originated.
The family’s reverence for the cobra is
so deep that it even found its way into the names of family members. My eldest
uncle was named Nagabhushanachary, meaning one adorned with the Naga, while the
son of another elder uncle was named Nagaraj (cobra king). Yet another younger
uncle’s son also has the name Nagaraj.
In earlier times, Nagula Panchami was
observed in our home with great devotion. As the attached photographs show, a
live cobra would be brought to the house, and family members would offer their
prayers and worship it. For us, it was not merely a ritual, but an expression
of an age-old reverence for the Naga Devata.
With changing times, greater
awareness of wildlife conservation, and laws protecting snakes and other
reptiles, bringing a live cobra into homes for worship has, quite rightly, come
to an end.
Yet the tradition, the reverence and
the fascinating story connecting our family to the Naga Pamu/Cobra remain very
much alive in our memories, and in our family history.
On this Nagula Panchami, may we
remember that ancient bond with humility and gratitude, while also respecting
and protecting these magnificent creatures in their natural world.
Happy Nagula Panchami to all! 🙏🌺🐍
No comments:
Post a Comment