The Gifts of the Nagas - Bhola Nepal Shaman

HOOP ISSUE 107 2020www.sacredhoop.org

agas are a class of long-lived,serpent-like, semi-divine,awakened spiritual beings,

highly revered as masters ofwisdom by shamans and spiritualpractitioners. They are respectedfor their healing powers, theirmagical skill, and their greatcourage; but sometimes they arefeared for their violence and quicktempers. Nagas vary in their typesof perception and also vary in theirlevels of wisdom.

Nagas can transfigure into otherforms at will, but mostly theyappear snake-like, typicallydepicted as attractive beings, richlyadorned with jewels. They areawe-inspiring, their upper bodiesappear human, either male offemale, but they have a serpentinetail below their waists.

They are deeply connected to theearth, water and the other realms,and nagas are seen as protectorsand the bestowers of abundance,both material and spiritual.

The word ‘naga’ is Sanskrit forcobra, and in most of thelanguages of Nepal and India theword nag means snake, especiallya cobra. The word can be used fornagas of either gender, but often afemale naga will be called a nagini.The word naga is also the name ofthe forest-dwelling people of north-eastern India and Myanmar.

Naga practices have been aliving tradition in Nepal from timeimmemorial.

In the Himalayas, some of themost powerful deities and spiritbeings are depicted with crowns,necklaces, bracelets and anklets inthe form of serpents, nagas, and astrong serpent cult is present in allthe leading religious practices ofAsia, such as the Vedic religion,Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism andthe Bön practices. This importanceof nagas is also found within theprevalent myths, rites, rituals, andhealing practices of the dhami-jhankri (shamans) of Nepal and theHimalayan regions, as nagas areprimal spirit beings who play adominant role.

Nagas are considered to bepresent in all of the phases of thecreation, nurturance and finaltermination of the universe, andthey play the same role in all of thelife phases of individual livingbeings too.

0

The Gifts of the

Nagas N

Serpent Spirits and theirrole within the Shamanic

Traditions of Nepal

Bhola Banstola

Left:Bronze CobraNorthern IndiaC18th


Above: paintedand gilded five

hooded NagaKanya statuePatan, Nepal

late C20th

Far left:Shiva and Shakti.

Temple CarvingKathmandu

Left: male andfemale snakes

entwine duringtheir mating

The realm of the nagas is callednaga loka, and it is the lowest partof the Lower World realms. Fromthere, the nagas command and rulethe whole universe. They are alsothought to inhabit the underworldsbelow the land and the sea, as wellas being in rivers, lakes, wells andoceans, as well as inaccessiblecaves and caverns. They can alsobe where there are geothermalvents and hot water springs, whichprovide pockets of warmth toprotect them from harsh weatherconditions. But they are not justthought of as physical beings, asthey are also considered to beunseen spirits, associated withspace, air, fire, water and fluidity.

There is an archetypal image ofShiva and Shakti - the primordialmale and female aspects of creation- as two mating serpents, interwovento form a caduceus symbol. This isan image found in esoteric tantricart, and symbolises complete union;the great naga, kundali.

In this form the great Shiva andShakti nagas are at the centre ofthe naga universe, at the centre ofthe naga loka.

Flanking these primordial maleand female aspects of creation,and all around them, there are saidto be the eight Naga Raja [nagakings] and Naga Rani [nagaqueens] with four Naga Dikpala[guardians] - at the four quarters ofthe circle of the universe.

The Naga Raja can berecognised by a glowing gem,which is found on the top of hishead, or on his forehead, or in hismouth. This gem can grant wishesand manifest the power of the

nagas. This is called the nagamani, and it is one of the mostprecious things that a naga holds.

In our tradition, we say thatwhen a shaman journeys to thelowest part of the Lower World, itis not dark, deep down there,because of the light that the naga-mani radiates, making everythingluminous instead of dark. So wesay the naga mani is one of themost precious things that the worldhas ever had.

There is also a special naga,called Naga Kanya, or sometimesNaga Kumari. Naga Kanya is the‘virgin naga,’ which means she has

no family and lives on her own.Naga Kanya lives beyond theboundaries between realms, andhas no single domain to which shebelongs. She takes care of theearth, the waters and theatmosphere.

She is always depicted withseveral small serpents rising aboveher, growing out from within her,and forming a canopy over herhead. When she has a five hooded

0

There is a special naga,called Naga Kanya.

She is called the ‘virginnaga,’ which means

she has no familyand lives on her own

Naga Kanya lives beyondthe boundaries between

realms, and has no singledomain to which she

belongs. She takes careof the earth, the waters

and the atmosphere

snake canopy she is Pancha KanyaDevi; when she has a sevenserpent canopy she is Sapta KanyaDevi, and when she has a nineserpent canopy she is called NavaKanya Devi.

The lower half of her body isshown as a serpent, and the tophalf of her is shown as a woman,and she also has wings. The wingsare essential, because theysymbolise that she has no limitationto her domain.

In her hands, she holds a whiteconch shell, which recalls all theprimordial memories.

The naga loka is where manytypes of nagas dwell, and sometraditions say that there are eightdifferent kinds of nagas, collectivelycalled the aasta naga, but somecosmologies say there are nine oreven twelve different types.

Shesha - who is also known asAnanta - is said to be the supreme ofall the naga kings. Lord Vishnu restsupon him, the naga taking the formof a sacred couch. He representsthe concept of ‘endlessness,’ and heis said to support the entire weight ofthe earth.

Nagas can have either abeneficial, hostile or neutralinfluence on human beings.

They can suffer greatly becauseof humanity's carelessness and ourignorance of the proper conducttowards nature, as well as all ourdisrespectful actions towardsenvironment. When this happens,nagas often retaliate towardshumans, especially when theirenvironment is polluted such as

when disrespectful humans urinateor defecate in the place of a naga.These kinds of actions can result inthe manifestation of emotionalimbalance, physical diseases, orvarious natural calamities.

Nagas are closely associatedwith the earth and the water. Theyare protectors or guardian spirits ofrivers, lakes, reservoirs and seas,

HOOP ISSUE 107 220www.sacredhoop.org0

Every household pastes picturesof nagas above the door to theirhouse and give offerings of milkand other foods to the pictures.There is a belief that makingofferings protects the house fromlightning and fire, and the familyfrom snakes and scorpions

This page:posters sold forthe annula NagaPanchami dayfestival invarious forms

Left: giving amilk offeringto a carvingof a naga ona building inKathmandu

Left: giving amilk offering

to a carvednaga at thesacred NaagPokhari pool

Left: a carvednaga festooned

with offeringsduring the

Naga Panchamiday festival

swamps and forests. They alsocontrol rainfall, and thus affect thefertility of the land.

Because they bring rain, theymay also cause a drought. That iswhy during the annual NepaleseNaga Panchami naga festival, theyare celebrated as the Naga Rajaand Naga Rani, in recognition oftheir many attributes.

NAGA PANCHAMI FESTIVALThe Naga Panchami or NaagPanchami Festival is celebrated onthe fifth day after the new moon inthe lunar month of Srawana (Julyor August) to honour the nagas.

Every household pastes picturesof nagas above the main entrancedoor to their house, traditionallyusing cow dung as a paste, andgive offerings of milk, rice and otherfoods to the pictures. There is apopular belief that pasting thepicture above the main door andmaking offerings protects the housefrom lightning and fire, and thefamily from snakes and scorpions.

Snakes are often welcomed ifthey venture into a Nepali home,and are given a saucer of milk toencourage them to stay. There is abelief held by many rural peoplethat snakes drink milk, and cobrasare therefore often given milk-offerings, especially during NagaPanchami. But snakes, beingreptiles, cannot digest milk.

Some people are fearful thatmilk is harmful to the snakes and,might even cause death to them,but milk, as a universal nurturingoffering, is given to most deitiesand spirit beings as a sign ofhonour and auspiciousness, and inreality the snakes don’t drink it.

Killing, or even harming a cobra,is dreaded and thought of as thedeadliest of sins. It is feared that thewrath of the snake will hauntgeneration after generation, and theremedial rituals needed in order tomollify this wrath are quite elaborate.It is said that a cobra can nurture agrudge against any injustice metedout to it and take its revenge, whichis in part cobras are placated bygiving them these offerings.

The power to resurrect the deadis also attributed to snakes, alongwith their power to break droughts,a vital ability in monsoon-dependent Nepal. Traditionally, onthis day of Naga Panchami, the

HOOP ISSUE 107 2020www.sacredhoop.org 0

monsoon rains are considered to beover, and in order to thank theserpent deities - as the protectorsof earth and bringers of timely rainfor the planting season - they arehonoured with special pujas[ceremonies] and rituals.

People believe that worship ofnagas ensures that there will be nodrought, and every household willoffer prayers and rituals in theirown ways throughout Nepal.Devotees also often gather atplaces considered sacred to thenagas to pay homage to them;

such as Naag Bahal in the city ofPatan, and Basukithan - in thetemple of Pashupatinath - andNaag Pokhari, both of which are inKathmandu.

Naag Pokhari is a pool or smalllake sacred to the nagas, withinKathmandu, and a specialceremony is held there to mark thefestival; just as special ceremoniesare held at other naaga kunda -pools dedicated to nagas -throughout the whole country.

Many legends and storiesassociated with water and miracles

are connected with the nagas andthe major gods of the Hindu Vedicpantheon; for example Vishnu andShiva are frequently shownwreathed in, or protected by amulti-headed snake.

The celebrations of NagaPanchami are especially intense inthe Kathmandu Valley itself, whichboth local tradition and geologistsagree was once a large lake.Legend holds this to have been thesnake gods' earthly seat, and soevery riverside shrine, lake andartificial pool in Kathmandu, andthroughout much of Nepal ingeneral, has images of nagas, andare considered sacred to them.

Wells and fountains are alsonormally marked by snakecarvings, and can only be cleanedonce a year, at a time when thesnakes are believed to be awayworshipping their ancestors.

And so each year Nepalis offerprayers to the nagas in theirgardens and near water coursesand pools, and farmers will pourmilk into the sacred Bagmati Riverfor the nagas too.

Virtually every house andcommercial building is blessed bycleaning its entrance with a mixtureof water and cow dung, and thenone of the brightly coloured imagesof the snake deities will be pastedthere. Very often a tika - a spot ofrice mixed with vermillion powder -will be placed on the images toadorn the snakes, and familymembers will offers flowers, herbsand incense to them.

The practice of erecting statuesand carvings of nagas in order to


Erecting carvingsand statues of

nagas, and specialnaga poles, in orderto worship them has

been done sincetime immemorial

Above: thesacred NaagPokhari pool

Right: a naga-kastha pole atsacred NaagPokhari pool

Below: offeringmilk to a snakeduring theNaga Panchamiday festival

Below right:a carvedstone Naga inKathmandu

worship them has been practicedsince time immemorial. There isalso the practice of erectingspecial naga poles, called naga-kastha which have a snake-shapedimage at the top, in orderto mark the occasion ofNag Panchami.

Because nagas areconsidered to be the closestalleys of Bhumi Devi(the sacredEarth

Mother), they arethought to be everywhere; and

so, before the planting of a newrice crop in a paddy field, beforeplanting a tree, before starting thebuilding of any new structure, theshamans and astrologers areconsulted in order to find the mostauspicious moment for beginning,and also to find the location of theabode of the nagas so as to avoiddisturbing it.

On the day of Naga Panchami,and also on the day of VasantaPanchami1 - which is dedicated to theMother Earth - we do not work on theland, no tilling, or ploughing, or cuttingdown trees. We avoid these jobs asa sign of respect, so the nagas andthe earth are not disturbed.

After the first harvest of theseason - especially the rice harvest- a nuwagi puja [ceremony to offerthe first harvest] is performed, totnak Mother Earth and the nagas.In this puja we express gratitude forthe timely rain, the fertility of thefields and the crops, and the helpand importance of the ancestors.

The ceremony consists ofcollecting the first rice from theharvest, which is prepaired bythrashing it to remove the husks, andthe chaff, and then cooking it andoffering it both to the fire and alsoout in nature, where it is offered,along with milk and colour pigments,at special stone shrines decoratedwith colourful stripes of cloth.

HEALING AND HARMINGNagas can be seen as bothauspicious and inauspicious bydifferent traditions. This is, as I saidabove, because if they are nothappy they can create disharmonywithin our bodies, our minds or ourenvironment.

They are also considered themost important archetypes ofchange and transformation,

because they shed and changetheir skins for their renewal - whichis the beginning of all new life.

Because of this, they teach usto let go of old things, unhelpfulmemories, trauma, grudges andanger about the past, and so giveto us a new beginning. If wecannot let go of our old patterns,our past thoughts, our old stories -all the things which are unhealthy- we cannot begin new projects.

That is why nagas are reveredas primal spirits, beings who teachus about change, because changeis inevitable; we are all perishablebeings, not immortal ones.

But although all things change,at the same time the nagas arethought of as the 'spirits ofimmortality.’ This does not meanthey are immortal and do not die, itmerely means they have a veryhighly developed consciousness;and their consciousness andwisdom are helpful for usbecause we can learn tounderstand things from them.

Our myths tell us that at thefoundation of all things is a conchshell, and above the conch shell isa naga, and above the naga is aturtle, and above the turtle thereare eight elephants, and above theelephants is the earth herself.

The naga who supports the turtle iscalled Sesha-Ananta Naga Dev; andthis naga holds the whole world on itsnine heads. Our stories say that if thisnaga is unhappy and moves one ofthose nine heads, an earthquakehappens, and when it spits out itsvenom a volcano erupts. Sesha-Ananta Naga Dev holds up the skytoo and is known as the pillar whichholds up everything, everywhere.

It is so important that weremember these serpentine beings.If we look at the ancient

civilizations of the world - such asthe Sumerians and theMesopotamians of the Middle East,or the Mayan culture of CentralAmerica, or the ancient Indus valleycivilizations - we see the presenceof sacred serpents beings indifferent forms.

Some of these beings areprecisely like serpents, but someare half-

HOOP ISSUE 107 2020www.sacredhoop.org 0

Shesha is said to be the supremeof all the naga kings. Lord Vishnu

rests upon him, the naga takingthe form of a sacred couch.He represents ‘endlessness,’

and is said to support theentire weight of the earth

Above: a statueof Naga Kanyadesigned to befixed to a wall

or a door

Below: the nagaShesha in the

form of a couch,with Lord Vishnu

standing uponhim

serpent and half-human, some arehalf-serpent and half-bird, andsome are half-serpent and halfanother animal of one kind oranother.

These spirit beings wereenvisioned and understood by ourancestors, who saw andcomprehended how the world wascreated and what role theseserpentine beings have in it; andso, because of this awareness,they understood how important itwas to honour them.

Snakes seem to have apowerful hold upon the imaginationof people, a great allure, perhapsbecause of the mysteries andsymbolism they hold. They areundoubtedly unique creatures;decidedly un-human and yetexhibiting a bewildering blend of

both human and serpentinequalities. They have a peculiarshape, can move swiftly in theirmysterious gliding motion withoutthe aid of any limbs or wings. Theyhave unblinking mesmerizing eyesthat holds one spellbound. Theyhave their peculiar forked tongue;and perhaps most importantly theycast off their skin, seeminglyrejuvenating themselves each time.This practise of skin sheddingsuggests longevity, or evenimmortality. It also suggests asense of freeing oneself fromburdens and ignorance, andprogressing towards freedom frommundane existence.

But of course, not everythingabout nagas is positive. There is abelief that through the mere fieryblast of their nostrils an angry nagacan cause destruction. Such ‘ill-wind’ can also pollute the air andbring about diseases.

We have a term, naga dosha,which means the negative effectthat a naga can have on someone,

Left: offeringson stonecarvings ofcobras inKathmandu


These spirit beings were envisionedand understood by our ancestors,who saw and comprehended howthe world was created and whatrole these serpentine beings havein it; and so, because of thisawareness, they understood howimportant it was to honour them

Right: theauthor makingofferings tothe nagas ata sacred sitein Nepal

Below:offerings oncarvings ofcobras anda naga inKathmandu

or something, if we do not respectthem and so pollute their sacredplaces etc..

In Vedic astrology, snakes aresymbolically related to the invisibleplanet Rahu - which is identifiedwith the head of the snake - whilean other invisible planet, Ketu, isidentified with the snake’s tail.When the other planets in aperson’s horoscope fall in betweenthese two invisible planets, it is saidto give rise to naga dosha. Whenthis is determined astrologically, aset of special prayers and ritualsare recommended to get rid of theill effects of the dosha.

We also speak about somethingwe call sarpa dosha, which is thenegative effect a naga can have ona woman. We believe that thenagas are responsible for fertilityand that they are the protectors ofthe human race.

Nagas bring abundance, andnagas also give progeny to people,they are responsible for humanpregnancy. Even today, ruralwomen who wish to have offspringoften make offerings to nagas andworship them in hope they will helpthem conceive.

So nagas affect the ability of awoman to conceive a child, andbecause of this, they may give awoman a series of miscarriages, orthey may cause problems with awoman's menstrual cycle, or createphysical issues in a woman's sacredreproductive organs: and of course,they affect male reproduction too.When those things happen, we sayit is sarpa dosha, because the

person is not in harmony with thenagas in some way.

But it is not only humanreproduction that they can affect.We have another term, kala sarpadosha, which is the adverseeffect of a naga on thecourse of aperson's life. Inour life, we mayhave things we wantto do, but we are blockedfrom doing them. It is notenough that we want to dosomething, it is not enough thatour ancestors approve, or ourfamily approves, or our spirithelpers approve; somethinghappens all the time which blocksus.

The nagas have a significantrole to play in the cycle and path ofall our lives, and we believe thatthe naga serpents can cause thesetypes of obstacles.

NAGAS WITHIN OUR BODYAs we know, caduceus, the famoussymbol of medicine the sign - whichmany pharmacies and hospitalshave outside - is a staff with twoserpents, two nagas winding up itand looking at each other.

Nagas are the symbol ofmedicine, because we have nagasinside us, and the caduceus sign -the two snakes and the centralstaff - represent the three energychannels we have in our bodies.The nagas represent two aspects,one female and one male - called

ida and pingala - and the centralstaff - called sushumna or meru-danda - as well.

Sushumna is a neutral channel,neither male nor female, and itcarries all of the memories from

our previous existences. In ourtradition, at the base of

the sushumna, thenagas coil three

and a half timesaround it. This coil is

called kundali.When we do sacred

breathing exercises, and whenwe stimulate our base - ourgenitals - through breathingprocesses of contraction andrelaxation, consciously forsacred self-regeneration but notfor sexual pleasure, we generateharmony within us, which

maintains our inner bodytemperature, enlivens our cells andour tissues, and gives life to ourorgans. This is the same naga,Sesha-Ananta Naga Deo - themighty naga who holds up theearth and the sky - within our ownbody.

When Sesha-Ananta Naga Deowithin our body contracts, it is likea serpent going in a cave, or a holein the ground.

Like the realm of the nagas inthe lowest of the Lower Worldrealms, naga loka, the domain ofthe nagas within the human body isat the lowest part, the base of thevertebral column. In that space theserpent rests, all coiled up. Butwhen it moves out on its own, or

Right: stonecarving of

wraithing snakesin Kathmandu

Below: Tibetanthangka painting

of a nagaand a dragon


because of certain spiritualpractices, it goes out in a zig-zagline with its head raised.

This is the same way that athala naga [earthbound serpent -physical snake] remains coiled upin a crevices in the earth, andcomes out from time to time.

When we are in a state of lowenergy; of slow motion; when wedo not see the light of life; when wedo not know that the door of life isopening; when we do not see theopportunities of life coming; thenwe become like the coiled naga.When this is the case, we do notmove, and we remain locked down.

This contraction makes timeshorter, and when - throughhealing and ceremonies and ritualsand sacred practices - we start tomake things happen, we are nolonger stagnant, and the nagaopens up itself, and this prolongstime. So, we are governed by the

nagas within ourselves, and thisprocess of contraction andrelaxation is called shesha-ananta.

We say that sneezing, and theblinking of our eyes, our heartbeat,our breathing, the sacred fire in ourbelly, knees, calves, under thesoles of our feet; every place, everyhouse, every space within us, everyimportant spirit point in our body,these are all governed by the naga.

So nagas are not somethingthat we have to go to look forsomewhere very far away from us,we can reflect upon ourselves,because we are the carriers of thenagas, deep within us in anunconscious form.

The nagas are the most excellentteachers and mentors to humans. Asnake will not attack any being,unless it perceives that it is indanger, but once there is a dangerthen a snake will attack quickly.

And nagas teach us about ourcourse through life too. Serpentsmove in a zig-zag way, showingtheir connection to the earth,because nagas collaborate with theEarth Mother; they work together.

So when a serpent moves in azig-zag manner, it is a lesson forthose of us on a spiritual path, asthe nagas tell us that one singletrack, one direction, one way, maynot have the answer. We cannotremain fixed on one path alone; wehave to look for opportunities; wehave to look for different resources.

WORKING WITH THE NAGASAfter having understood thehealthy and unhealthy aspects of

nagas, the question comes, howdo we appease them, interact withthem, and generate a healthyrelationship with them?

Approaching a naga with anopen heart, clear understanding,and lack of greed or desire shouldbring positive results to you. Nagasprefer respectful human relationsand being given the appropriateofferings, and it is good to requesttheir intervention on auspiciousdays like Mondays and Thursdaysor on the day of Naga Panchami.

To perform a naga puja, a simplerone is generally more effective.

You will need a picture, or astatue of a naga, or anything thatrepresents naga or serpent world.This could be a long stone or awavy stick or anything that makesyou think of a serpent.

It is perfectly possible to makeyour own nagas, two serpents -male and female - from a doughmade from wheat flour. Make themin a zig-zag shape, with three orfive curves along their body, and

When a serpent movesin a zig-zag, it is a

lesson as the nagastell us that one singletrack, one direction,

one way, may nothave the answer. Wecannot remain fixedon one path alone;we have to look for

opportunities; wehave to look for

different resources

This page:dough nagason an altar, sothat offeringsof rice andother thingscan be madeto them

Right:a wall paintingof a naga in aBuddhist templein Nepal

with their heads in upright position,not flat to the ground.

You will need some white oryellow flowers, or even greenleaves if flowers are not possible,to be given as an offering.

A banana or an apple, either thewhole washed fruit, or peeled andsliced. Put these on a small sauceror in a bowl.

Some milk in a cup, glass orbowl. Sometimes ground rice flouris mixed with water, to make awhite liquid instead of using milk.

It is good to offer saffron water,yellow water made by soakingsaffron in water; or if you do nothave saffron, you can make yellowwater out of a mixture of turmericpowder and water.

A spoon and a small empty cup,saucer or bowl. Put this in front ofyour naga statue or picture, orobject that represents the nagas toyou, and you will spoon milk fromthe big bowl of milk to this emptybowl, in order to make offerings tothe nagas.

A glass, or cup of clean waterfor cleansing the statue, orwhatever represents nagas, afterthe ritual has been completed.

Some coins and precious, orsemi-precious stones, and ideallysome silver jewellery. All of theseneed to be washed before they areput into the sacred ceremonial place.

Some grains of uncooked rice.Some natural incense, as much

as possible. Traditionally a mixtureof cow’s butter and crushed juniperare used, but if this is not possibleregular incense is good. It ispossible to buy specific Tibetannaga incense for use in naga pujas,if you look for it online.

A white unscented candle, or anoil burner with a wick.

Strips of clean yellow or whitecloth, which are used to decoratethe statue, or picture of the naga.

Ideally one should wear yellowor white clothes while performingthe puja, but if that is not possibleclean clothes of any colour will beacceptable. It is recommended thatyou maintain a fast on the day ofthe puja until after you havecompleted it. If you are unable tofast eat only vegetarian food.

When all of this is set up andyou have made your special altarfor the naga puja, sit facing theeast while doing the actualceremony. Now you recite the nagamantra and make your offerings,

pouring milk from the milk bowlinto the empty bowl in front of thestatue and scattering rice grainsover the statue too.

When you have finished cleansethe statue or picture by sprinkling alittle of the clean water on to it.

The next day, after the puja iscompleted, some of the fruitoffering can be eaten as a sacredfood, and the rest of the fruit andthe other offerings - including themilk and water - need to be takento a local river, pond or naturalspring and left there. If this is notpossible, placing them under a treewill be fine. Please be respectfulwhen you leave offerings, don’tleave a mess that other people maybe upset about.

Bhola Banstola is a traditional long lineagecarrier Jhankri-shaman from Nepal. Hetravels worldwide to share his tradition andhas organised experiential shamaniclearning trips and pilgrimages to Nepaland the Himalayas for more than twodecades. He is documenting the shamanichealing practices from differentcommunities of Nepal for the benefit ofthe next generation.

[email protected]/enwww.nepal-shaman.com

FaceBook: Bhola Banstola/Nepal Shaman

NOTES:1: Vasant Panchami is a festival whichmarks the preparation for the arrival ofspring, celebrated forty days beforespring offically arrives. It is celebrated inthe lunar month of Magha, which falls inlate January or February.

Left: an altar formaking offerings

to Naga Kanya

Below: analtar made for anaga puja made

by the author ona recent visit

to England

The Gifts of the Nagas - Bhola Nepal Shaman

Documents

Transcript of The Gifts of the Nagas - Bhola Nepal Shaman