NAG KIRI, Nagar, Naggar (Cave of the)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A relatively small rock shelter of unidentified size, which --the rock shelter-- is used as a temple cave sacred to harmless snakes at one or the other foot of Rohtang pass: In one place only, so far as I am aware, is worship offered to any other serpent than the cobra. This is at the foot of the Rotang Pass, where, under an overhanging rock, offerings are made to some small harmless snakes which are called -Nag Kiri.- As this name shows, however, they are considered as representatives of the Naga, which is rarely found at that altitude. Elsewhere, snakes of the same species are killed without scruple (OLDHAM 1905 edited 1988: 86). SITUATION: Nag Kiri (OLDHAM 1905 edited 1988: 86) appears to correspond to the lovely little village and castle (note 1) of Nagar (note 2) or Naggar (N32°07': E77°10'), which lies north of Kullu (N32°00': E77°15') and about halfway (about one hour by bus) along the more scenic road above the east (orographically left) bank of the river Beas (there i a faster one above the right bank) to Manali (N32°16': E77°10') and Rotang Pass (note 3).A relatively small rock shelter of unidentified size, which --the rock shelter-- is used as a temple cave sacred to harmless snakes at one or the other foot of Rohtang pass: In one place only, so far as I am aware, is worship offered to any other serpent than the cobra. This is at the foot of the Rotang Pass, where, under an overhanging rock, offerings are made to some small harmless snakes which are called -Nag Kiri.- As this name shows, however, they are considered as representatives of the Naga, which is rarely found at that altitude. Elsewhere, snakes of the same species are killed without scruple (OLDHAM 1905 edited 1988: 86). SITUATION: Nag Kiri (OLDHAM 1905 edited 1988: 86) appears to correspond to the lovely little village and castle (note 1) of Nagar (note 2) or Naggar (N32°07': E77°10'), which lies north of Kullu (N32°00': E77°15') and about halfway (about one hour by bus) along the more scenic road above the east (orographically left) bank of the river Beas (there i a faster one above the right bank) to Manali (N32°16': E77°10') and Rotang Pass (note 3).