The Mystery of the Naga Fireball
[link to ipsnews.net]

(snips)

Many people have heard of or believe in the water creatures known as Naga, and say there is evidence indicating their presence in the Mekong River.

In particular, on the night of 15th day of 11th month in the Lao lunar calendar at the end of Buddhist Lent (in 2003 it fell on Oct. 10), an extraordinary phenomenon occurs in the area of the Mekong River stretching over 20 kilometres between Pak-Ngeum district, about 80 kilometres south of the Lao capital Vientiane, and Phonephisai district in Nong Khai province, Thailand.

According to descriptions going back over 100 years by peoples on both sides of the river, at the end of Buddhist Lent something strange happened in the middle of the Mekong River. What they saw was a pink-red fireball appearing to rise and float into the sky at height of about 10 to 20 metres, and then disappear.
...

An abbot at the Pak-Ngeum temple describes the history of the phenomenon. "A long time ago there was a couple living in Pak-Ngeum village. They earned their living by fishing in the Mekong River all day and night, during Buddhist Lent, and even on Buddha days. This disturbed the Naga King who meditated under the Mekong River. He told this couple not to catch fish and kill other animals on Buddha days, defined as the eighth and 15th days of the Lao Lunar Calendar because it was a sin, but the Naga asked them to meditate instead."

"In response to and out of respect for the Naga, all villagers in Pak-Ngeum and nearby villages along the Mekong River did not kill any animals for food on Buddha days. In addition, the Naga King asked this couple to hold boat processions on the Mekong River to mark the end of Buddhist Lent; at the same time the Naga in Mekong River shot fireballs into the air so they could celebrate together. From then on, the phenomenon of the Naga's fireball existed in the Mekong River at the end of Buddhist Lent."
...

However, the Naga's fireball does not only appear in the Mekong River, but also in the ponds and rice fields. On the Lao side, people say they can see the fireball floating in the area of the ponds and rice fields near their villages. On the Thai side, the fireball shoots up in a pond locally known as Nong Pra Lay, residents say.
...

Now that the Naga's fireball is well-known, many people have expressed their views on what they think the 'truth' is behind it. Some talk in terms of science, others believe in the ways of culture.

One scientist said: "The fireball is caused by an explosion of gas deposited under the Mekong River, and it happens at a certain time of year. ...




THE NAGA

The word Naga comes from the Sanskrit, and nag is still the word for snake, especially the cobra, in most of the languages of India. When we come upon the word in Buddhist writings, it is not always clear whether the term refers to a cobra, an elephant (perhaps this usage relates to its snake-like trunk, or the pachyderm's association with forest-dwelling peoples of north-eastern India called Nagas,) or even a mysterious person of nobility. It is a term used for unseen beings associated with water and fluid energy, and also with persons having powerful animal-like qualities or conversely, an impressive animal with human qualities.

In myths, legends, scripture and folklore, the category naga comprises all kinds of serpentine beings. Under this rubric are snakes, usually of the python kind (despite the fact that naga is usually taken literally to refer to a cobra,) deities of the primal ocean and of mountain springs; also spirits of earth and the realm beneath it, and finally, dragons.

... All nagas are considered the offspring of the Rishi or sage, Kasyapa, the son of Marichi. Kashyapa is said to have had by his twelve wives, other diverse progeny including reptiles, birds, and all sorts of living beings.
...

As a category of nature spirit:
Nagas [kLu] are a class of beings (often snake-like in form) that dwell in a variety of locations ranging from waterways and underground locations and also in unseen realms. These beings have their own perceptions and vary in their enlightened level as do humans and other beings. Nagas are susceptible to suffering created by mankind's carelessness and basic ignorance of proper conduct in nature and disrespectful actions in relation to our environment.
[link to www.khandro.net]


Wiki :

Other traditions
A naga at the steps of a building in the Wat Phra Kaew in BangkokFor Malay sailors, nāgas are a type of dragon with many heads; in Thailand and Java, the nāga is a wealthy underworld deity. In Laos they are beaked water serpents. Phaya Naga, Water Dragon, is a well-known dragon in Thailand. People in Thailand see it as a holy creature and worship it in the temple. It allegedly lives in Mekong river.

In Cambodia
Cambodian Naga at the Royal Palace in Phnom PenhIn a Cambodian legend, the nāga were a reptilian race of beings who possessed a large empire or kingdom in the Pacific Ocean region. See Kaliya. The Nāga King's daughter married an Indian Brahmana named Kaundinya, and from their union sprang the Cambodian people. Therefore still Cambodians say that they are "Born from the Nāga".

The Seven-Headed Nāga serpents depicted as statues on Cambodian temples, such as Angkor Wat, apparently represent the seven races within Nāga society, which has a mythological, or symbolic, association with "the seven colors of the rainbow". Furthermore, Cambodian Nāga possess numerological symbolism in the number of their heads. Odd-headed Nāga symbolise the Male Energy, Infinity, Timelessness, and Immortality. This is because, numerologically, all odd numbers come from One (1). Even-headed Nāga are said to be "Female, representing Physicality, Mortality, Temporality, and the Earth."


Each ceremony depends on how each village earns its living from the Mekong River — for instance, through fishing or transport. Local residents believe that the Nāga can protect them from danger, so they are likely to make a sacrifice to Nāga before taking a boat trip along the Mekong River.[citation needed]
Also, every year on the night of 15th day of 11th month in the Lao lunar calendar at the end of Vassa, an unusual phenomenon occurs in the area of the Mekong River stretching over 20 kilometres between Pak-Ngeum and Phonephisai districts in Nong Khai province, Thailand. Fireballs appear to rise from the river into the nighttime sky. Local villagers believe that Nāga under Mekong River shoot the fireballs into the air to celebrate the end of Vassa, because Nāga meditate during this time.[13]