Indian Serpent-Lore or the Nagas in Hindu Legend and Art

In the summer of 1901, a visit to the Kullu Valley brought the author face-to-face with people who still pay reverence to the serpent demons, known from early Indian literature.

In the course of his subsequent wanderings through the western Himalayas, he had ample opportunity for collecting information regarding the serpent worship or Naga. Other nations are known to practice this form of animal worship, but it is impossible to find any other place where it takes such a prominent place in literature, folklore and art as it does in India. The existence of this cult may be estimated to be no less than three millennia. During this vast space of time, the deified serpents have haunted the imagination of the people of India.

Besides, the three chief repositories of serpent-lore the Mahabharata, the Jatakas and the Rajatarangini have been fully utilized.