Naga Pa(n)cami [46]

The entire duration of the tenth lunar month, Gu(n)la (July/August), is of special importance to Newar Buddhists throughout the valley (Lewis 1984, 349ff.; Anderson 1971, chap. 7), and there are daily processions and other special events involving the Buddhist population of the city.

But in Bhaktapur's Hindu calendar the first half of the month, the bright fortnight Gu(n)lathwa, contains only two annual events: Naga Pa(n)cami, of moderate importance; and Gunhi Punhi [47], on the last day of the fortnight, introducting a sequence of focal importance. The fifth day, the pa(n)cami of the waxing fortnight Gu(n)lathwa, is Naga Pa(n)cami [46]. On this day the supernatural serpent, the naga , is worshipped, as it is in various ways on this day throughout South Asia. In Bhaktapur, drawings on paper of naga s are placed at the main doorway of each house, and at the entrance of each room of the house. The paintings are worshiped and offered a special mixture of grasses, rice, beans, and cow dung. This is said to help protect people from poisonous snakes, which have become more numerous at this season, and from the equivocally malevolent naga itself, who is often asked to refrain from troubling the house. (Moderate.)