Nag Panchami
नाग पंचमी • Nāga Pañcamī
"Fifth Day of Serpent Worship"
Timing & Schedule
Presiding Deity
Mythology & Legends
Ancient tradition of serpent worship prevalent in India, acknowledging serpents as powerful beings associated with fertility, water, and the underworld.
Krishna and Kaliya
Young Krishna subdued the serpent Kaliya who was poisoning the Yamuna river. Instead of killing him, Krishna danced on his heads and banished him to the ocean, showing mercy to serpents.
Source: Bhagavata Purana
Astika Saves Nagas
When King Janamejaya performed a Sarpa Satra (snake sacrifice) to avenge his father's death by Takshaka, young Astika (nephew of Vasuki) stopped the sacrifice and saved the Naga race. This day commemorates their survival.
Source: Mahabharata
Shiva and Nagas
Lord Shiva wears serpents as ornaments, and Vasuki was used as the rope during Samudra Manthan. Nagas are closely associated with Shiva worship.
Source: Puranic traditions
Nag Panchami honors serpents as protectors of treasures, symbols of fertility, and beings deserving respect. It also serves as a prayer for protection from snake bites during the monsoon season.
Rituals & Puja
Preparation
- Creating Naga images from turmeric or clay
- Preparing milk offerings
- Cleaning and decorating snake holes (if present)
Main Rituals
Naga Puja
Worshipping images of snakes drawn on walls or made from clay/metal
Timing: Morning
Milk Offering
Offering milk to snake images or at snake holes
Timing: During puja
Ant-Hill Worship
Worshipping termite mounds believed to house snakes
Timing: Morning
Live Snake Darshan
Worshipping live snakes brought by snake charmers (declining practice)
Timing: Throughout day
Puja Items
Puja Procedure
- 1 Draw or install Naga image
- 2 Apply turmeric and kumkum
- 3 Offer flowers and durva
- 4 Pour milk as offering
- 5 Chant Naga mantras
- 6 Pray for protection
- 7 Avoid digging earth on this day
Mantras
Naga Gayatri
Naga Stotra
Sarpa Raksha mantra
Food & Celebrations
Traditional Celebrations
- Drawing snake images on walls
- Offering milk at snake holes
- Visiting Naga temples
- Community celebrations
Special Foods
Prasad: Milk and sweets offered to Nagas
Decorations
Activities
- Snake deity worship
- Temple visits
- Women pray for brothers' welfare
- Avoiding harm to snakes
Fasting (Vrat)
| Required | Yes |
| Type | Some observe complete fast; others avoid fried food and salt |
| Breaking | After Naga puja |
Regional Variations
Nag Panchami
Local Name: Nag Panchami
- Major festival
- Snake images worshipped at home
- Live snake worship declining
Naga Panchami
Local Name: Naga Panchami
- Stone Naga idols worshipped
- Important in Tulu Nadu
- Naga Bana tradition
Nag Panchami
Local Name: Nag Panchami
- Strong Naga tradition
- Many Naga temples
- Linked to springs
Guga Naumi (related)
Local Name: Guga Naumi (related)
- Guga Pir worship
- Snake deity veneration
- Folk traditions
Nag Panchami
Local Name: Nag Panchami
- National holiday
- Snake images above doors
- Strong tradition
Astrological Significance
Benefits
Spiritual Benefits
- Protection from Naga curses
- Removal of Sarpa Dosha in horoscope
- Blessings of Naga Devatas
Protection Benefits
- Safety from snake bites
- Protection during monsoon
- Guarding of home and family
Familial Benefits
- Brothers' well-being (prayed by sisters)
- Family protection
- Ancestral blessings (Nagas linked to ancestors)
