First started in the 16th century by the great poet named, Tulsi Das at the Tulsi Ghat in the Varanasi, Nag Nathaiya festival is an element of the Krishna Leela ritual, a mythological custom concerning representation of a famous episode in the life of lord Krishna i.e. the episode of dancing on the hood of the cobra hood in the life of Lord Krishna. Nag Nathaiya Festival is one of the famous festivals celebrated in Varanasi. It is held during the month of November December. It is celebrated at the Tulsi Ghat and is a part of the Krishna Lila performance.
History of the Nag Nathaiya Festival
According to an episode of Mahabharata, one day Lord Krishna, while playing with his friends lost his ball in the river and Lord Krishna dived. There he was confronted by the venomous King Cobra, Kaliya. The clash went for long but soon Kaliya Nag recognized the power and supremacy of Lord Krishna and Kaliya curved his head in front of the Lord and promised not to harm the villagers residing in the village. After that the snake lifted Lord Krishna on its head and took him to the plane.
On the other hand Krishna"s friends became concerned as it had been a long time that he went down in the river. When they saw Krishna, his friends were delighted. It is believed that Lord Krishna not only defeated the cobra but also purified the water and the air of the fatal that was spread by the nag.
Celebration of the Nag Nathaiya Festival
Nag Nathaiya festival is one of the famous festivals celebrated in Varanasi. It is seized during the month of November December and is observed on the 4th day during the Shukla Paksha. It is celebrated at the Tulsi Ghat is a part of the Krishna Lila performance. The festival has a 400 year old tradition that involves the performance of Nag Nathaiya.
The festival is celebrated with much eagerness and happiness in Varanasi. Vallabha family had a strong grasp in Varanasi therefore Krishna Lila was started there. The same chapter of Mahabharata is enacted here in this festival and a very little boy plays the role of Lord Krishna, he take a jump into the river from the branch of the Kadama tree at the bank of river Ganga to beat the Kaliya. He comes out of the water at the head of Kaliya by holding a flute in his hand and pretense just like Krishna. The festival is prepared on a magnificent scale and is attended by many tourists and pilgrims visiting the city of Varanasi. This festival is attended by the Kashi Naresh of the Ramnagar who observes the Krishna Leela from his majestic boat and at the end he offers awards the actors who have performed in the festival.
