Nag Panchami – Festival of Serpent Worship
Nag Panchami is a sacred Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Nagas (serpents), celebrated on the fifth day (Panchami) of the bright fortnight of the Shravan month (July–August). It holds deep religious and cultural significance, as snakes are considered divine beings in Hindu mythology, symbolizing fertility, protection, and strength. The festival is observed across India with great devotion, especially in states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Gujarat.
Nag Panchami is observed on the 5th day of the bright half of Shravan (July-August). On this day nag, cobras and snakes are worshipped with milk, sweets, flowers, lamps and even sacrifices. The images of Nag deities made of silver, stone, wood (or painted on the wall) are first bathed with water and milk, and then worshipped with the reciting of the following mantras: Nagah preeta bhavantih shanthnapnoti vai vibhoh, Sashunti lok ma sadhya modate shashttih samah.
Snakes and cobras are held in awe and reverence in India. They are worshipped and offered prayers on the Nag Panchami day. Fast is observed and Brahmins are fed on this day. The piety observed on this day is considered a sure protection against the fear of snake-bite. At many places real cobras and snakes are worshipped and fairs held. On this day digging the earth is prohibited, because the serpents live under the earth or in the nether world and digging may hurt or annoy them. The various Purans like Agni Puran, Skanda Puran, Narad Puran, etc., give details of snake-worship and its significance.
The Nags, as mythical creatures are semi-divine beings. They are said to have sprung from Kadru, the wife of Rishi Kashyapa, and inhabit Patal where they reign in great splendour. They roam about the land wearing lustrous jewels and ornaments. The thousand-hooded Shesh Nag or Anant is the most powerful of them and revered even by the gods. He bears the whole earth like a chaplet on his crown. When he nods or yawns, the earth with its oceans and mountains, begin to tremble.
Nag Panchami is also observed as Bhratri Panchami, and women having brother worship snakes, their holes and keep fast to propitiate Nags so that their beloved brothers does not fall victim to snake bite. The serpent has been given a in India semi-bites to their beloved brother The genealogy of serpents in India has been given a semi-human Their families are handsome, and some of them intermarried with men as Ulupi married Arjuna. The snake-deities are also regarded as the custodians of the treasures of land and sea.
KAAL SARP PUJA on Nag Panchami (14th August): Kaal Sarp dosh is formed when all the seven planets come between Rahu and Ketu. The person who takes birth with this yog suffer from various problems like child problems, loss in business, family problems etc. Know more... Mythological Significance
The worship of snakes on Nag Panchami is rooted in various legends:
In the Mahabharata, Janamejaya performed a serpent sacrifice to avenge his father’s death, which was stopped by Astika Rishi on the day of Nag Panchami.
In Hindu tradition, serpents like Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padma, Kambala, and Kaliya are considered sacred and are closely associated with Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
The festival is also believed to protect families from snake bites and bring prosperity.
Rituals and Celebrations
Nag Panchami is celebrated with a variety of customs and rituals:
Devotees visit temples dedicated to snake deities and offer milk, turmeric, flowers, and sweets.
Images and idols of serpents are worshipped at home or in temples.
In villages, live snakes are worshipped by snake charmers and offered milk and honey.
Special puja mantras like “Om Namah Shivaya” and “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” are chanted.
Some devotees observe fasts for the day, breaking it only after performing puja.
Vastu and Astrological Beliefs
In astrology, snakes are connected to Rahu and Ketu, shadow planets that influence karmic patterns. Worshipping Nagas on Nag Panchami is believed to:
Remove Kal Sarp Dosh from the horoscope
Bring marital harmony and fertility blessings
Protect the household from negative energies
Regional Variations
In Maharashtra, women draw snake images on walls and worship them.
In South India, special rituals are held at serpent temples like Subramanya Swamy Temple.
In West Bengal, Manasa Devi, the goddess of snakes, is worshipped.
Nag Panchami is observed on the 5th day of the bright half of Shravan (July-August). On this day nag, cobras and snakes are worshipped with milk, sweets, flowers, lamps and even sacrifices. The images of Nag deities made of silver, stone, wood (or painted on the wall) are first bathed with water and milk, and then worshipped with the reciting of the following mantras: Nagah preeta bhavantih shanthnapnoti vai vibhoh, Sashunti lok ma sadhya modate shashttih samah.
Snakes and cobras are held in awe and reverence in India. They are worshipped and offered prayers on the Nag Panchami day. Fast is observed and Brahmins are fed on this day. The piety observed on this day is considered a sure protection against the fear of snake-bite. At many places real cobras and snakes are worshipped and fairs held. On this day digging the earth is prohibited, because the serpents live under the earth or in the nether world and digging may hurt or annoy them. The various Purans like Agni Puran, Skanda Puran, Narad Puran, etc., give details of snake-worship and its significance.
The Nags, as mythical creatures are semi-divine beings. They are said to have sprung from Kadru, the wife of Rishi Kashyapa, and inhabit Patal where they reign in great splendour. They roam about the land wearing lustrous jewels and ornaments. The thousand-hooded Shesh Nag or Anant is the most powerful of them and revered even by the gods. He bears the whole earth like a chaplet on his crown. When he nods or yawns, the earth with its oceans and mountains, begin to tremble.
Nag Panchami is also observed as Bhratri Panchami, and women having brother worship snakes, their holes and keep fast to propitiate Nags so that their beloved brothers does not fall victim to snake bite. The serpent has been given a in India semi-bites to their beloved brother The genealogy of serpents in India has been given a semi-human Their families are handsome, and some of them intermarried with men as Ulupi married Arjuna. The snake-deities are also regarded as the custodians of the treasures of land and sea.
KAAL SARP PUJA on Nag Panchami (14th August): Kaal Sarp dosh is formed when all the seven planets come between Rahu and Ketu. The person who takes birth with this yog suffer from various problems like child problems, loss in business, family problems etc. Know more... Mythological Significance
The worship of snakes on Nag Panchami is rooted in various legends:
In the Mahabharata, Janamejaya performed a serpent sacrifice to avenge his father’s death, which was stopped by Astika Rishi on the day of Nag Panchami.
In Hindu tradition, serpents like Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padma, Kambala, and Kaliya are considered sacred and are closely associated with Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
The festival is also believed to protect families from snake bites and bring prosperity.
Rituals and Celebrations
Nag Panchami is celebrated with a variety of customs and rituals:
Devotees visit temples dedicated to snake deities and offer milk, turmeric, flowers, and sweets.
Images and idols of serpents are worshipped at home or in temples.
In villages, live snakes are worshipped by snake charmers and offered milk and honey.
Special puja mantras like “Om Namah Shivaya” and “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” are chanted.
Some devotees observe fasts for the day, breaking it only after performing puja.
Vastu and Astrological Beliefs
In astrology, snakes are connected to Rahu and Ketu, shadow planets that influence karmic patterns. Worshipping Nagas on Nag Panchami is believed to:
Remove Kal Sarp Dosh from the horoscope
Bring marital harmony and fertility blessings
Protect the household from negative energies
Regional Variations
In Maharashtra, women draw snake images on walls and worship them.
In South India, special rituals are held at serpent temples like Subramanya Swamy Temple.
In West Bengal, Manasa Devi, the goddess of snakes, is worshipped.
