New Delhi: The festival of Nag Panchami is being celebrated across the country today. The foundation day was celebrated by Mussoorie Nag temple on the occasion of Nag Panchami.
On the occasion of Nag Panchami, thousands of devotees from Mussoorie and surrounding areas reached the Nag Devta Temple in Mussoorie and visited the Naga deity by offering milk (Abhishekam)to the 500-year-old idol installed in the Nag Temple.
Story Behind The Temple
The Nag Temple in Mussoorie is said to be about 500 years old. It is said that a cow from Bhatte village often visited this place in the morning (where the Nag Devta Temple is currently situated) and offered milk to a stone from its udder. The villagers were surprised when they came to know about this incident. When the villagers removed the stone, they found out many snake idols. They also saw that the Nag Devta (Snake God) was seated atop the idols.
From then on this place was known as Siddha Peeth. A huge and grand temple was constructed there. On Nag Panchami, many people from Mussoorie, nearby cities, and villages visit the Naga deity and pray for the fulfillment of their wishes.
Nag Devta: The God Of Justice
For the local villager Rakesh Rawat the Nag Devta is a Family God. He said that a devotee who sincerely makes a wish and takes a vow, in this temple gets his wish fulfilled.
"This deity is the Family God of many families residing in dozens of villages in and around the region. He is also known as the God of justice. Whenever there is a problem or a dispute in the village, people seek the blessings of the deity. It is believed that the Snake God serves justice," the local added.