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The monks sit cross-legged on the red divan in the nave between the wooden pillars supporting the roof. Hangings, painted banners and pennants are added to decorate the ball and create an appropriate atmosphere for prayer and worship. We cannot forget the fringe population who are still animistic and have a store of superstitions to fill up their life. As a matter of fact their beliefs have been largely incorporated in the life and religious beliefs of the more sophisticated Hindus and Buddhists.
The Naga Cult, and Gugga worship, is common to the Hindus. The fringe population has more or less, animistic beliefs. The Siva cult encourages the Naga worship. Lord Siva has always garlands of snakes. Vaidya observes that "Nagas are but the later manifestation of Siva and similarly the Devis are that of Kali." Without fully concurring with Vaidya about Nagas as we do not know of any authority or argument for this conclusion we agree as to the great hold of the Serpent-worship in this region.
Kamarn Naga, an ancient deity has a stone idol at Nachan and a shrine in Sanor Valley in Mandi district. Mahuna Naga is worshipped widely in Simla and Sirmur districts. Very often an earthen replica of a serpent is taken to represent the serpent deity. In epidemics and in the season when snakebites are common, serpent worship has a premium. There are a large number of Naga temples particularly in Kulu district. The following is the legend about Kelang Naga in Chamba district :
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