Following the vibrant festivities of Sawan Teej, Nag Panchami was celebrated with religious fervor across Jaipur. Special worship ceremonies were held at the Mansa Mata temple in Amer, where folklore says the serpent god himself once came to worship Lord Shiva at the Mahadev temple.
Before independence, a grand fair dedicated to folk deity Hardevji Maharaj was organized in the grounds near Jobner Bagh and Police Line. After lavish havelis were constructed on the site, the fair ceased to exist. Yet, the memories remain vivid in the minds of older generations. Prahlad Atwal of the Valmiki community recalls accompanying his father to the fair as a child. Snake charmers displayed their skills, and people offered bowls of milk and food to snakes in bamboo enclosures as part of the rituals.
Traditionally, people living within the old city walls used to buy snakes from Kalbelia tribals and later release them into the forests. The Mangaleshwar Mahadev Temple in Gopalji Ka Rasta served as the main hub for this unique practice. On Nag Panchami, Kalbelias would bring snakes, which devotees placed in pots and carried to sacred hills like Galta for ceremonial release. Renowned BJP leader Bhanwarlal Sharma was known to accompany groups for this ritual. Gopal Lal Paanwala was once the head of this longstanding effort.
This act of freeing snakes is deeply rooted in the belief that it relieves individuals of Kaal Sarp Dosh and Rahu-Ketu Dosh, as mentioned in Hindu scriptures. It is also customary to float silver or copper snake idols in water for this purpose.
In Valmiki-dominated localities such as Kagdiwada, Nahari Ka Naka, and Char Darwaza, devotees worship Hardev Baba, a revered saint believed to cure venomous bites from snakes and scorpions.
A unique tradition still observed in homes is the preparation of snake idols from cow dung on Nag Panchami, which are worshipped with offerings of kheer.
These ancient customs not only highlight Rajasthan’s rich cultural tapestry but also reflect the enduring faith of its people in age-old beliefs.
(By Jitendra Singh Shekhawat who has been writing for Rajasthan Patrika)