Kathmandu, July 29 -- Hindus across the country are observing Nagpanchami on Tuesday, a festival celebrated by worshiping images of Nag, the serpent deity, placed above the main gate of houses and paying homage to the serpent god.

The festival is celebrated annually on the fifth day of the waxing moon in the month of Saun, according to the lunar calendar.

There is a religious belief that pasting the image of the serpent god above the main door and offering worship on this day protects the house from lightning and fire and the family from snakes and scorpions.

According to the Baraha Purana scriptures, it was on this day that the serpent king and Brahma, the lord of creation, held a conversation-hence the special significance of the day...