Allahabad, August 2 (ANI): Devotees thronged temples, offered and poured milk on snakes to celebrate Hindu festival, ‘Nag Panchami’ to honour serpent god on Friday. Devout Hindus in Allahabad city of Uttar Pradesh flocked temples of Hindu Lord Shiva and offered milk, water, flowers and fruits to serpents as a unique expression of devotion on the auspicious occasion. The festival is believed to bring prosperity and happiness, eradicating evil and hardships from people’s lives. Snake charmers lined the streets and attracted devotees to offer milk to snakes. Followers of Lord Shiva in Madhya Pradesh province also celebrated the festival with religious pageantry. As per scriptures, Shiva sports a snake around his neck while Vishnu reclines on a hooded couch created by Shesha Naga. The festival also holds great importance for the snake charmer community.
