Description: Naga , (Sanskrit: “serpent”) in Hinduism , Buddhism , and Jainism , a member of a class of mythical semidivine beings, half human and half cobra . They are a strong, handsome species who can assume either wholly human or wholly serpentine form and are potentially dangerous but often beneficial to humans. They live in an underground kingdom called Naga-loka, or Patala-loka, which is filled with resplendent palaces, beautifully ornamented with precious gems. The creator deity Brahma relegated the naga s to the nether regions when they became too populous on earth and commanded them to bite only the truly evil or those destined to die prematurely. They are also associated with waters—rivers, lakes, seas, and wells—and are guardians of treasure. Three notable naga s are Shesha (or Ananta), who in the Hindu myth of creation supports Narayana ( Vishnu ) as he lies on the cosmic ocean and on whom the created world rests; Vasuki, who was used as a churning rope to churn the cosmic ocean of milk ; and Takshaka, the tribal chief of the snakes. In modern Hinduism the birth of the serpents is celebrated on Naga-panchami in the month of Shravana (July–August). The female naga s ( nagini s or nagi s) are serpent princesses of striking beauty. The dynasties of Manipur in northeastern India , the Pallavas in southern India, and the ruling family of Funan (ancient Indochina) each claimed an origin in the union of a human being and a nagi . In Buddhism, naga s are often represented as door guardians or, as in Tibet, as minor deities. The naga king Muchalinda, who sheltered the Buddha from rain for seven days while he was deep in meditation, is beautifully depicted in the 9th–13th century Mon-Khmer Buddhas of what are now Thailand and Cambodia . In Jainism the Tirthankara (saviour) Parshvanatha is always shown with a canopy of naga hoods above his head. n art, naga s are represented in a fully zoomorphic form, as hooded cobras having one to seven or more heads; as human beings with a many-hooded snake canopy over their heads; or as half human, with the lower part of the body below the navel coiled like a snake and a canopy of hoods over the heads. Often they are shown in postures of adoration, as one of the major gods or heroes is shown accomplishing some miraculous feat before their eyes. Kamchanod Temple and Forest Reserve Kamchanod is a 20 rai forest reserve and lake in Wang Thong District near Ban Dung, Udon Thani, and the Nāga themed temple site is one of the most overlooked tourist attractions in the province. That’s a pity because loud whispers say Kamchanod is the holy place and entrance to the underground world of the mythical Phaya Nāga. Kamchanod is 90 kilometres from Udon Thani city, but if you have transport or can make other arrangements, it’s a place well worthy of a visit. According to popular belief, Phaya Nāga lives deep in the waters of the lake which surround the densely forested island Wang Nakhin (Nāga Palace). Legend says the Nāga breathed fireballs into the sky to form steps for Lord Buddha to descend from heaven. The island is connected to the temple grounds by a long ‘snaking’ bridge guarded on each side by two seven-headed serpents. It’s shoes off at the bridge entrance, and then a 100 metre or so stroll across the bridge to a small temple and sacred well. Inside the temple is a shrine of Chaopu Sisuttho and on either side of the Wat are smaller tin-roofed shrines where Thais kneel and offer incense sticks, flower garlands and prayers to the great Nāga and Lord Buddha. The whole area is not too big, and trying to get an acceptable full photographic shot of the temple proved very hard to do. Bright sunlight filtering through the forest’s chanot trees further hindered that task. Kamchanod is a popular place for Thais to visit and most seem spellbound by the great Nāga’s link to it. Foreign tourists are few and far between. Hopefully one day that might change.
Price: 119 USD
Location: 50240
End Time: 2024-09-19T12:36:44.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money back or replacement (buyer's choice)
Primary Material: Brass
Type: Naga Bracelet
Color: Gold
Original/Reproduction: Vintage Original
Region of Origin: Southeast Asia
Age: Post-1940
Maker: Thailand Naga Temple
