Gogro

Gogro is venerated by Sindhis to protect against snake bites.

Worship

Sindhis celebrate Nag Panchami by honouring Gogro. Traditionally, in Sindh, whenever the snake charmer brought snakes, they were given some Dakhshina (alms) and also milk for the snakes. The folklore of Gogro is set from Kutch and Gujarat.

Origins

In Thatta, near Pir Pitho, there was a kingdom of king Gopichand. The King’s daughter, Vachhalbai saw a flower flowing in the river. She got the flower with her friend’s help. A saintly person's soul lived in that flower. As Vachhalbai smelled the flower, the soul entered the stomach. After a few months king came to know about pregnancy of his daughter and was also told about the incident.

However, the King knew no one would believe the story. He therefore, asked four of his soldiers to take Vachhalbai in a chariot and leave her in a deserted jungle. One ox was bitten by a snake and the soldiers could not proceed with one only ox.

At this point, Vachhalbai heard a voice ementaing from her stomach: "Mother chant this mantra and sprinkle water on the dead ox." Vachhalbai and the soldiers were surprised but they did what they were told, and the ox recovered immediately. The soldiers saluted Vachhaalbai with respect and left her in the deserted place.