Nag Panchami Festival, Rituals, Significance & Legend

Nag Panchami – An Introduction

Nag Panchami is one of the important festivals celebrated in many parts of our country. 'Nag' refers to the snake, and 'Panchami' is the 5th lunar phase. Nag Panchami is thus dedicated to the snakes, which people generally observe on the 5th lunar phase of Shukla Paksha, the bright fortnight of the Moon during the Shravan or Sawan Month, corresponding to the period falling in July-August. Some regions observe it at other times, as per prevailing local traditions.

In the current Year, Nag Panchami 2023 falls on August 21, 2023, Monday.

Religious Significance of Snakes

Our ancient tradition and culture provide much significance to the serpents or snakes. Our religion also accords pride of place to them, giving them the status of Divine beings and revering them as Nag Devata, the Snake Deities. Religious texts also have elaborate references to snakes, associating them closely with many Gods and Goddesses. While the serpent remains a constant companion of the Supreme God of dissolution, Shiva, whom the Lord wears as a necklace on his body, it also remains the couch or bed on whom Vishnu, the Supreme Protector rests.

Hence, snakes have remained objects of worship from ancient times, and people have been honoring them through many rituals and observances, one of which is Nag Panchami. And Nag Panchami 2023 is scheduled for August 21.

The Mythology Behind Nag Panchami  

There are many stories regarding the origin of Nag Panchami. One of them is about the boy Krishna subduing the poisonous Kaliya Nag, driving him away from his place and thus protecting the lives of the people and livestock. Krishna is said to have performed this miracle on Shravan Shukla Panchami, which people observe as Nag Panchami. Another account links this occasion with Samudra Manthan, the legendary churning of the vast ocean of milk, using the giant serpent Vasuki as the rope. The stupendous effort yielded Amrut, the Divine nectar, which Devas consumed and became immortal for universal good. It is said that Nag Panchami is observed to commemorate the crucial role Vasuki played in making this possible.

One more Puranic story links Nag Panchami to Mahabharata. Takshaka, the serpent king, had to bite and kill Arjuna's grandson Parikshit. But his son Janamejaya started performing a powerful fire sacrifice to destroy all snakes to avenge his father's death. However, Sage Aastika intervened in between and saved Takshaka and his descendants from destruction. It is said that people started the Nag Panchami celebration from this happening.

Besides, Shravan marks the beginning of monsoon, when the snakes come out of their burrows. Then people offer them milk and worship them, believing they will not then harm anyone.  

Astrological Significance

Kaal Sarpa Dosha is a snake-related astrological affliction that can cause many problems and impediments to peace and success in life. This Dosha happens when all other planets fall between the snake planets, Rahu and Ketu, in a person's birth chart. Tradition believes praying to the snake deities with offerings on Nag Panchami can mitigate this affliction effect.  

Nag Panchami Worship

People devote Nag Panchami to revering the Snake Gods when many do Ashta Naga worship, the honoring of 8 Naga Gods that include Ananta, Vasuki, and Takshaka. They freshen themselves up early in that morning, place a clay image or picture of the serpent deity at the altar, apply turmeric paste and Kumkum to it and decorate it with flowers, light lamps and incense in front, make offerings of rice and milk mixed with sugar and ghee, recite hymns in praise of the deity, do prayers and conclude the worship with Aarti. Some also fast on Nag Panchami Day, read or listen to Nag Panchami Story and spend the Day reading holy books and scriptures. People also offer raw milk to the snake pits and perform Pooja. Some also feed milk to live snakes kept by the snake charmers and give them money for feeding and maintaining the snakes well. People also place pictures of snakes at house entrances, which, they believe, can protect their home and its residents.     

People can perform these worships and observe austerities on Nag Panchami 2023 for their well-being and that of their families.

Nag Panchami Worship Benefits

As per beliefs worshiping the snake deities on Nag Panchami can earn their grace for the devotees and bestow many benefits. It can clear or mitigate the adverse effects of harming the snakes or their dwellings and the effects of Kaal Sarpa Dosha, remove difficulties and obstacles in life and help lead a comfortable, prosperous, and happy life. People also believe it can protect against snake bites or harm from other reptiles or poisonous creatures and prove an antidote for the fear of snakes.  

Let us also observe Nag Panchami 2023 with devotion and receive Snake Gods' beneficial blessings.