ShraawaNa month, the 5th in the Hindu Shaka calendar is considered to be the most auspicious month and many religious festivals fall in this month. The fifth day of month is observed as Naaga-panchamii (This year: 4th august 2011) and the full moon day as Rakshaa-bandhanam (This year: 13th August 2011) festival throughout India. Lord Shiva is the presiding deity of this month.

The literal meaning of the Sanskrit word naaga is snake and sarpa , uraga are its synonyms. Snake-worship is prevalent in several ancient cultures where snake is seen as a symbol of strength and renewal. The molting of scales by a snake, particularly, is compared with renewal/recreation and hence a snake is believed to be a symbol of healing & medicines and of recreation as well.

SheSa , waasuki and iraawat ,  are the chief snake-deities in Hindu Puraanas. SheSa the seat of Lord Vishnu, is the King of naagas, and holds the entire universe upon his hood. LakshmaNa from Ramayana and Balarama from Mahaabhaarata are believed to be his incarnations.
Waasuki another snake king) helped the Gods to obtain (the ‘Ambrosia of immortality’) during the ‘Churning of Milky Ocean’.
Iraawat a snake-warrior in Mahaabhaarata), was the son of Arjuna and Uluupii , a snake-princess.  He and his army of snakes are believed to have killed more than a dozen of Kaurawas’ chieftains and hundreds of other Kauarawa soldiers.

Naaga-panchamii and Raksha-bandhan are similar festivals, the former being prominent in South and the latter in the North of India. Ladies go to their brothers’ homes and give regards to them. The sister applies ‘Tilak’ to the brother’s forehead, waves an oil lamp to him, ties a ceremonial thread on his wrist and prays for his long life. The brother in turn, blesses the sister and promises her protection during need. Sweets and gifts are mutually exchanged between them.

Snake is considered as a brotherly figure and the ladies, who do not have a real brother, worship him as a brother. In the olden days, people used to worship actual snakes which were captured and brought into villages by snake-charmers. However, lately, due to rising awareness about cruelty towards snakes and environment protection, people prefer worshipping snake-motifs in temples and at homes instead.

Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of this month, is worshipped with special puujas, sacrifices and consecration of scented water, milk, ghee, etc. The rudra suuktam a long hymn from the Yajurweda is recited during these consecrations and is believed to please Lord Shiva who instantly showers his blessings over the devotees.
Lord Shiva is particularly connected with these festivals. In order to save the world from the ill-effects of the poison that emerged from the ‘Churning of Milky Ocean’, Lord Shiva consumed all of it and then to reduce its burning sensation, he wore a serpent in his neck. He is also called Pashupati i.e. ‘The master of all the creatures’ and a supporter of the animal kingdom’.