Naaga - Discovering the Extraordinary World of Serpent Worship

by K. Hari Kumar

Who are the Naagas, the divine serpents of India’s sacred traditions?
What secrets lie within their mythical realm, Naagaloka?
What is the naagamani, and what myths surround its legendary power?
What role do serpent groves, play in preserving vital ecological balance?

Bestselling author, K. Hari Kumar, combines meticulous research with vivid storytelling to uncover the cultural, spiritual, and historical significance of serpent worship in India.

Naaga immerses you in the sacred Naagabanas and Sarpakaavus of the southwestern coast, explores the enduring worship of the goddess Manasa in the East, and reveals the lore of guardian Naagas in the remote Himalayan peaks, drawing from rich Puranic accounts and enduring local folktales. This fascinating exploration reveals shared truths, striking contrasts, and the unwavering reverence for these sacred beings across the subcontinent.

Embark on a journey into a world where serpents are guardians of cosmic order, protectors, adversaries and symbols of divine power—deities that continue to inspire awe and devotion in India’s spiritual consciousness.

Genres: Nonfiction

392 pages, Paperback

Published July 25, 2025

About the author

K. Hari Kumar is a celebrated author, screenwriter and filmmaker. He has authored 9 bestselling books with HarperCollins, including Daiva, Naaga, India’s Most Haunted and Dakini. He has penned the screenplay of Bhram, E and has appeared as a speaker on popular podcasts like The Ranveer Show, Dostcast, Speaking Tree, HT Smartcast, Aajtak, Radio One, etc. He currently hosts CHATURYA – THE FOURTH STATE, the trending Youtube Channel, where he explores fascinating tales and concepts from Indic Puranas, regional folklore, spirituality and global mythology.

K Hari Kumar's collection of horror short stories, India's Most Haunted - Tales of Terrifying Places, published by HarperCollins India is one of the highest selling horror story books in India. The Times Of India deemed it as a must-read horror book, and it was also listed in HarperCollins India’s hundred best books written by Indian authors. The Malayalam translation of India’s Most Haunted was published as Indiayile Prethalayangal by Mathrubhumi Books in March 2022. The book will be soon translated into Hindi as well.

Hari has been honoured with invitations to speak on his expertise at prestigious events such as Times Literature festival (Bangalore & Delhi), DAV United Literature Festival (Gurgaon & Delhi), Kumaon Literature Festival (Dhanacholi), Lit-O-Mania (Mumbai), and IISc’s Literature Festival (Bangalore). His insights have garnered attention from leading national newspapers, television channels, and podcasts, including the renowned The Ranveer Show that features India's top writers and film personalities.

Reviews

[Myinstabookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Across the world, from ancient times to the modern age, music, dance and drama have acted as sacred bridges, connecting the mortal with the divine. Since the dawn of humanity, we have sung hymns to the creator, danced to appease the gods and enacted stories of creation and destruction-rituals that express our deepest yearnings for communion with the spiritual realm. These acts of devotion have outlasted the centuries, their essence preserved, even as they evolved into grand spectacles on contemporary stages.”
- K Hari Kumar, Daiva.

Ophiolatry— the worship of serpents has a deep rooted cultural relevance in every nook and corner of India, not only in Hinduism but also in Buddhism and Jainism there are dedicated stories related to influence of snakes that helped in shaping the religion. After his success with the first book “Daiva” author @theharikumar has written another book on “culture” this time on serpent worshiping. Very well researched and explored — this book touches every aspect of Serpent worship- from mythological to cross cultural, from taboos to reality, from tale of puranas to Buddhist and Christian texts everything is in depth researched in this book along with personal exploration of author’s age old culture of Tulu Nadu.
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The first book “Daiva” which talks about the spirit worship has a special place in my heart, this too touches on the similar depth, author not only talks about the cross religion influence of serpents but also how cultures are almost same in different part of India itself, how Dakkebali of Karnataka is same serpent worship as jaagar of Uttarakhand — author draws beautiful similarities on them, proving a point that the culture does have similar background.
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First two parts of the book explore the cultural relevance, mythological history, taboos and influence of Naags, author argues how in west due to the garden of Eden tale serpents are considered evil and devils. Contrary to the same, in east in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism serpents are worshipped. They have a deep influence on mythology and there are huge temples dedicated to them across the country. Tells a lot about how mythological tales shape the religion. last two parts tell the different tales related to naaga/serpents from Indian mythology. Author connects these stories to present day festivals and different activities performed across the country. Author also talks about the inhuman acts performed on serpents on the name of either religion or entertainment. Putting myths and stories aside these creatures have a deep rooted influence on our surroundings and ecosystem.
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I really enjoyed this book and work being done by author to promote his culture. I personally relate on many things Hari Kumar writes, bc in our culture in Uttarakhand there are so many similarities to the experiences author shares from his homeland in Karnataka. First book Daiva and this one “Naaga” I highly recommend reading these both to understand the deep rooted meaning behind the often blurred and forgotten parts of mainstream Hinduism. I would like to say it again, the religion may thrive in high erected buildings, huge donations and fancy yatraen. But it dwells in out in the nature, among tribals, the tree huggers, nature worshippers, forest dwellers.

[K. Polaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naaga is a meticulously researched and vividly narrated exploration of the rich cultural, spiritual, and historical tradition of serpent worship in India. The book dives deep into the multifaceted symbolism, mythology, and rituals surrounding serpents—revered as divine beings—across various regions and communities of the subcontinent.

Naaga traces serpent worship from the sacred serpent groves (Naagabanas and Sarpakaavus) of southwestern India to the worship of goddess Manasa in the East, and even further to the remote Himalayan lore of guardian serpents. Through this geographical and cultural breadth, Kumar reveals shared truths and striking contrasts that underpin India’s complex spiritual landscape. He unpacks the myths of Naagaloka (the serpent realm), the legendary naagamani (serpent gem), and serpent deities as guardians of cosmic order, protectors, and symbols of power.

Beyond myth and ritual, Kumar highlights the ecological significance of serpent groves, presenting them as vital natural sanctuaries that maintain ecological balance. The reverence for serpents, therefore, extends into a spiritual ecology framework, where serpent worship embodies respect for nature and the cosmos.

Naaga situates serpent worship within the larger human quest for understanding cosmic and earthly powers, weaving together mythology, folklore, theology, and cultural belief systems. It recounts serpents as multifaceted symbols—both feared and revered—as protectors and adversaries, entwined with divine forces that continue to shape India’s spiritual consciousness.

K. Hari Kumar’s Naaga is a seminal work that unveils the extraordinary world of serpent worship with depth and detail, offering readers an immersive experience into one of India’s oldest and most potent spiritual traditions. While its encyclopedic nature makes it more a scholarly journey than a literary narrative, the book remains a valuable resource for anyone interested in mythology, spiritual history, and cultural ecology.

[Siddhant Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naaga is a book that is very well researched, and as a reader, you get pulled into the world that Hari brings to you from his travels and research. Divided into 4 sections, the first 2 sections explore the themes, nomenclature and the practice of serpent worship in India. The remaining 2 chapters bring out the various stories from the local cultures and the epics. I loved how the book starts with the explanation of the names of the various deities, and what it is the story behind each of them. Hari also presents the variations that exist across our land for the same stories. Moving forward, we are present with the various ways in which serpents are worshipped across various cultures, and how those are at times governed by local beliefs and customs. Hari’s research is thorough and while this is a non-fiction book, you are engrossed in the stories that he tells from the Puranas, Vedas and the local folktales. The writing in the book is engaging, and he has planned the book in a perfect fashion where he introduces us to the practice of ophiolatry, the various deities, and then the practices of ophiolatry. As he slowly takes you into this world, he piques your interest in the theme, and then you take this journey with him, not as a reader, but as a co-traveller. The descriptions are quite vivid and you can visualize most of the places he describes, before googling them. Another aspect of the book I really loved was that there is reverence and respect in the way he writes about the places, practices and the stories which comes out very nicely. The last 2 sections of the book, recounting the stories from the epics and folktales is quite interesting. He has meticulously picked up the stories and presented them in the book which ties perfectly with the first half of the book where we get to know the deities and the practices. This part of the book rounds up the research and the deep dive into ophiolatry as it shows us the reasons why serpent worship became prevalent, and how it is entwined with our culture.

[Asha Seth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if I asked you, “Have you ever heard of a snake with a beard?”

Sounds wild, right? But that’s exactly the kind of story I grew up listening to. My father used to tell me about these bearded snakes that would appear near wells and fields in his village. As a kid, I found that both spooky and magical at the same time. And then, being a Lord Shiva devotee, I always saw snakes differently. Vasuki coiled around Shiva’s neck isn’t something to fear, it’s something divine. So I’ve carried this lifelong fascination with serpents.

Now fast forward to me picking up Naaga by K. Hari Kumar. The moment I saw it, childhood memories just came rushing back. Those stories, those images, that eerie yet divine aura, it all connected. I knew right away this book was going to be special.

The book is divided into four sections:

Naagloka, where you step right into the serpents’ own world.
Naagaraadhana, where worship and rituals come alive.
Naagpuran, which digs into serpent mythology.
Sarpkatha, packed with folklore and stories from India and beyond.

Reading it is like peeling back layers of history, myth, and culture. And here’s the thing, snakes aren’t the villains here. Unlike how the West often paints them as symbols of darkness and evil, Naaga shows you the other side: snakes as guardians, as sacred beings, as divine forces. Whether it’s Anantnag, Sheshnag holding up the cosmos, Takshak guarding treasures, or the Nagins of legend, you meet them all here.

What excites me most is how this book flips your perspective. Instead of fear, you start to feel curiosity, awe, maybe even reverence. It makes you see why snakes are worshipped during Naag Panchami, why they’ve always been entwined with human imagination and spirituality.

So if you’ve ever been intrigued by serpents, even just a little, or if mythology is your jam, Naaga is the book you should grab next. It’s like stepping into an ancient, mystical world that still whispers through our folklore.

[Teesta Chattopadhyay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naaga is one of those rare non-fiction reads that pulls you in from the very first chapter. K. Hari Kumar takes you on a journey through India’s long-standing tradition of serpent worship, but he does it in a way that feels more like travelling with a passionate storyteller than reading a heavy academic text.

The book is divided into four sections, each opening a new doorway into this fascinating world. The first half lays the foundation - introducing different serpent deities, the meaning behind their names, and how these beliefs took shape in different corners of the country. What I loved most is how smoothly the author brings together mythology, folklore, and cultural practices without ever overwhelming the reader.

As the chapters move into stories from regional legends, epics, and oral traditions, the book becomes even more engaging. Kumar’s research shows in every page, but it’s his respectful and vivid narration that makes the experience so immersive. You can almost picture the sacred groves, old shrines, and the communities that still hold these traditions close.

If you enjoy mythology, cultural history, or simply love learning about lesser-known practices, Naaga is a deeply enriching and beautifully crafted read.

[Sukaina Majeed · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[PRANATHI S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read. Really enjoyed mythological and folk talks surrounding snakes and the naga devatas