Talk About Snakes On Nagapanchami As always, this year too, the Nag Panchami festival has come to the homes of Nepalis. In Hindu religion, snakes are worshiped as a part of God. Also, in Nepali and Eastern societies, there is a custom of worshiping nature from different perspectives. Peepal and Tulsi are worshiped as avatars of Lord Vishnu among plants.
Nepalis are nature lovers by worshiping stones and Shaligram, considering rivers as holy pilgrimage sites, worshiping cows and dogs among animals, worshiping crows among birds, and worshiping snakes. In addition to this, in the Gurung community, the calculation of all years is done based on the names of animals and birds of nature, while in other religious sects, there is a practice of directly or indirectly worshiping nature.
If we talk briefly about snakes, Christians consider snakes to be the biggest devil or enemy and believe that they should be killed if they see them, while in Eastern societies, it is customary to worship snakes as serpent gods.
Significance of Naga Panchami and Nag
The Naga Panchami festival falls during the rainy season when snakes come out in abundance, which is also relevant. Snakes are believed to be snakes, while snakes are believed to be of different types. Ananto Vasuki in the texts: Padmo Mahapadmascha Takshakah. Kulir: Cancer: Sankhashchastau Naga: Prakirtita: .. There is a description of Ashta Nagas and it is believed that these Nagas are venerable and should be worshipped. Especially, snakes are given more importance as they are ornaments of Shivaji.
Snakebite statistics
Around 40,000 people are bitten by snakes in the Terai region of Nepal every year during the summer and rainy seasons. Among them, about 3,000 patients die. Nowadays, due to public awareness about snake bites and the availability of medicine, the death rate has decreased. 20 years ago such death rate was 18.7 percent, but now it is only 6.62 percent. If the treatment of snakebite is made available, no one will have to die from snakebite which is a problem that can be cured by specific treatment.
In Nepal, snake bites are mostly found in people with low economic status in rural settlements. Snakebite is an unexpected problem that has not been given much priority till today but it is a very big problem in the Terai region and the mortality rate is high. It seems that the policymakers have to take action to solve this hideous problem.
Types of snakes
The texture of the snakes is almost the same but depending on the color, cut, eyes, and head of the snake, there are different types of snakes. Venomous and non-venomous snakes are also distinguished based on similar characteristics. The main poisonous snakes found in the Terai region of Nepal are Goman/Cobra and Karat. Apart from these, some snakes found in Nepal are as follows:
1. green snake (non-venomous)
2. green pit viper
3. Russell’s Viper
4. Tibetan Pit Viper (non-venomous)
5. Himalayan Pit Viper (non-venomous)
6. Python (non-poisonous but harmful)
7. karet (highly toxic)
8. Cobra or King Cobra (Cattle Snake/Extremely Venomous)
9. Cat Snake
10. Kukri, wolf, coral, water snake, etc.
So far, 21 types of poisonous snakes have been found in Nepal. With the increase in global temperature and climate change, poisonous snakes are not only limited to the Terai region but also to the Narhi Hills. According to research, the venom of poisonous snakes is becoming more and more poisonous.
Anti-venom
In Nepal, only 4 types of anti-venom drugs are used to treat snake venom. The production of these medicines is very expensive and there is no production in Nepal. The medicine (anti-venom) is prepared only by extracting the anti-venom from the blood after giving it to the blood of snakes, horses, and sheep. The cost of production goes from cheap to very expensive.
Treatment of snakebite
In Nepal, it is customary to treat snake bites with traditional treatment methods. It is treated by traditional methods of blowing, sucking, chanting mantras, using special types of stones, feeding the patient with large quantities of alcohol, hot chilies, tying the bitten area very tightly, amputating the bitten part or limb, etc. Due to the unscientific treatment method, the death rate due to snakebite in Nepal is high. To reduce such death rate, a strategy should be adopted to avoid snake bites take first aid in Tokihale, and go to the hospital for specific treatment as soon as possible.
No matter what kind of snake bites the patient, the treatment should be started as soon as the effects of the poison appear. Otherwise, after the effects of the poison appear strong, the chance of survival decreases and more specific treatment (being placed on a ventilator) is necessary.
Symptoms and signs of snake bite
When bitten by a poisonous snake, two deep pitted wounds are clearly visible and blood flows from the wound, but when bitten by a non-venomous snake, several pits of teeth may be visible instead of two pits. The effects of venom of a snake bite can affect the nervous system and the venom of a snake can cause bleeding, vomiting of blood, and even death due to rupture of the heart.
Do’s and Don’ts in case of snakebite
When bitten by a snake, you have to identify the snake by which snake bit you. Keep the bitten part or limb, don’t run, don’t panic, don’t cut the bitten place, but clean the wound well with soap and water as soon as possible, if it is available above the bitten place, tie it with a crepe bandage or tie it lightly with a handkerchief or a piece of cloth and keep the limb stable and comfort the patient. They should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible. In this way, if the general first aid can be done at the place of the bite, the patient will not be affected by the poison quickly and can be taken to the hospital for treatment.
Apart from these methods, other types of traditional treatment methods can lead to rapid poisoning and death of the patient. Even if a snake bite is not poisonous, the wound may become infected, it may become infected, the flesh of the infected part may rot, etc., so you have to go to the hospital to solve such problems.
If the first aid is given in time, comfort can be provided and the patient can be taken to a hospital with facilities quickly, the chances of survival of the patient are higher even if bitten by a poisonous snake. Therefore, it is important to be aware from today to develop the habit of going to the hospital without being careless and not resorting to traditional treatment.
