Ichchhadhari naag (female: ichchhadhari naagin) are mythical shape-shifting cobras in Indian folklore. They are great devotees of Lord Shiva.
| Grouping | Mythical creature |
|---|---|
| Sub grouping | Indian cobra |
| Other name(s) | naag, naagin |
| Country | India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal. |
Indian folklore
editA common male cobra will become an ichchhadhari naag (male shape-shifting cobra) and a common female cobra will become an ichchhadhari naagin (female shape-shifting cobra) after 100 years of tapasya (penance). After being blessed by Lord Shiva, they attain a human form of their own, as well as gain the ability to shape-shift into any living creature and could live for more than a hundred years without aging.
The realm of naags and naagins is called naaglok. Naaglok is made up of many different clans, each clan is being ruled by either a naagraj (cobra king) or a naagrani (cobra queen).
Ichchhadhari naags and naagins possess a gem called naagmani (cobra gem), considered much more valuable than any precious stone, as it has the power to revive. Legends tell of many people dying through snake bites when they try to steal the naagmani.
Ichchhadhari naags and naagins are vengeful beings. When a naag or a naagin is killed, the image of their killer will be imprinted in their eyes. The partner or family of that naag/naagin will identify the killers by this image and take revenge.
Human keeps bael leaves to protect themselves from naags and naagins as they will be hurt when being contacted with it.
Naags and naagins will lose control, forced to show their true form when they hear the sound of been, a wind instrument used by sapera (snake charmer), or on every full moon night when they have to shed their skin.
The natural enemies of naags and naagins are nevla (mongoose), cheel (eagle) and morni (peafowl).
Comic
editThe myth of ichchhadhari naag and naagin have been used as a plot basis for many comics and stories.
The comic book superhero character Nagraj.
Hindi comic character called Tausi, who was a male shape-shifting snake.
Television
edit| Year | Title | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| 2007–2009 | Naaginn | Zee TV |
| 2015–present | Naagin | Colors TV |
| 2015–2016 | Adhuri Kahaani Hamari | &TV |
| 2016–2020 | Naagini | Zee TV |
| 2016–2017 | Nagarjuna - Ek Yoddha | &TV |
| 2016–2017 | Ichhapyaari Naagin | SAB TV |
| 2017–2018 | Nandini | Sun TV |
| 2017–2019 | Naagin | Geo Kahani |
| 2019–2020 | Phir Laut Aayi Naagin | Dangal TV |
| 2020–2023 | Naagini 2 | Zee TV |
| 2022–2023 | Ishq Ki Dastaan - Naagmani | Dangal TV |
| 2023–2024 | Pyar Ka Pehla Adhyaya: Shiv Shakti | Zee TV |
Movie
edit- Nagin (1954)
- Naag Champa (1958)
- Pahadi Nagin (1964)
- Nagin Aur Sapera (1969)
- Vellikizhamai Viratham (1974)
- Nagin (1976)
- Neeya? (1979)
- Bala Nagamma (1981)
- Nagina (1986)
- Nache Nagin Gali Gali (1989)
- Tu Nagin Main Sapera (1989)
- Tum Mere Ho (1990)
- Sheshnaag (1990)
- Aayee Milan Ki Raat (1991)
- Nageswari (2001)
- Hisss (2010)
- Neeya 2 (2019)