Nag Panchami is traditionally celebrated by worshipping naga(s) or snakes on Shravana Shukla Panchami. Hindus in Nepal, India, and other countries perform Sarp-puja and observe rituals for attracting good tidings in life.
Preview
Nag Panchami Date: When is Naga Panchami?
Nag Panchami is observed as per Panchang (Hindu Calendar or Lunar Calendar) on every Shravana Shukla Panchami.
Here:
- Panchang calendar relies on the phases of the moon.
- Shravana is the name of one of the Panchang months.
- Shukla denotes the bright side of the month.
- Panchami is tithi (day) which means “fifth” that is — the fifth day.
Thus Naga Panchami is observed on the fifth day of Shravan month during the bright half (Shukla Paksha). This fifth day falls during the fifteen days’ period of the moon’s waning. The day of the Nag Panchami celebration comes either at July’s end or the beginning of August of the Gregorian calendar.
Some Indian states observe Naga Panchami during the Krishna Paksha (dark half) of the same Shravan month. Rajasthan and Gujarat states are a few of those states where Nag Panchami’s celebration is held on Shravan Krishna Panchami.
History of Nag Panchami
The story of Nag Panchami is believed to belong to the era of the epic Mahabharat.
The King of Serpent Bites Parikshita
It is said that once the king of the snakes Takshaka bites Janamejaya’s father Parikshita who belonged to the Kuru dynasty. Due to the deadly bite, Parikshita died.
Wroth of Janamejaya Arouses
Janamejaya gets extremely angry about the way his father’s death had shaped and firms himself to take avenge from Nagas. He decides to compensate his father’s life by decimating the entire race of Nagas. He heads to burn all serpents into the fire.
Sarpa Satra Yagna
For this, he arranged a yajna (Yagna) sacrifice by erecting the sacrificial fireplace. A galaxy of Brahmin sages performed rituals to kill every existing serpent in the world.
It was so powerful that all the snakes started to fall in the sacrificial fire pit called Yagna a Kunda.
Takshaka, who had bitten and killed the father of Janamejaya, took shelter in the nether world of Indra which protected him from falling into the sacrificial pit.
Seeing that all the serpents had reached the Yajna sacrifice except Takshaka, the priest sages started to increase the intensity and tempo of the mantras or spells.
Takshaka coiled himself around the cot of Indra for escaping from falling into the sacrificial Yagna. But its force was so intense and powerful that it dragged both Takshaka and Indra towards the fire.
All gods got frightened seeing this incident. Scared devas headed to Mansa Devi so that she can help them saving Indra.
Mansa Devi gives the job of resolving the crisis to her son — Astika. She sends him to appeal to Janamejaya to drop Sarpa Satra Yagna.
Astika had immense knowledge and understanding of scripture (sastra). Janamejaya finds it very impressive and allows Astika to seek a boon from him.
Janamejaya was known to not deny a boon or going back from his words. So Astika made a request of stopping the Sarpa Satra (the yajna sacrifice of all snakes).
Janamejaya couldn’t deny the boon he gave to a Brahmin and so stopped the yajna.
Takshaka and Indra found a sigh of relief after their lives were spared from the claw of Janamejaya’s wrath. Along with them, the race of serpents also got relieved.
As per the Hindu calendar called Panchang, this day had fallen on Nadivardhini Panchami — lunar month Shravan’s fifth day of bright fortnight during the monsoon season.
Nagas celebrate the day with great excitement and happiness since then. They observe the day of Nag Panchami as a festive occasion as their lives, indeed the entire race was spared this day.
As per Garuda Purana, if someone offers prayers to snake this day, it brings good tidings and fortune in the life. So the day is believed to be auspicious as it ushers good.
People feed Brahmins as well to follow this day.
Nag Panchami Celebration
Preparation
Biriye Bhigona (Soak Grain for Sprouts)
A day before Nag Panchami, females dip Moong, Moth, or Chane in water. Either one or two (not three) types of grains are used to soak in water. This preparation is made during the afternoon. Later, the grains are tied tight in a thick cloth piece so that they can turn into sprouts till morning.
Special Food on Nag Panchami
For offerings during the worship, some Pue, Pakode are kept aside and the rest are distributed among people.
People Eat Only Warm Food
On the day of Nag Panchami, people avoid eating warm food. So, ladies prepare extra food a day before Nag Panchami. This is the day when they apply henna on the tip of their fingers and nails as well.
Nag Panchami Puja (Worship) Items
Ladies include the following puja items in their worship plate:
- Roli (red powder)
- Chaval (rice)
- Mehendi (henna)
- Lachha (sacred thread)
- Paise (coin)
- Dahi (curd)
- Biriye (sprouted grain)
- Food items (pue pakode)
- Cold roti (bread)
- An old letter wrapped with Lachcha (sacred thread)
- A symbolic snake: For making a snake, five or seven knots are tied on a rope and some kajal (kohl) is applied to it.
- A pot is filled with a mixture of raw milk (fresh, never boiled) and pure water.
Nag Panchami Puja Vidhi (Worship Rituals)
First of all, females put the snake (made of rope) near a snake pit. In case of unavailability of a snake pit in nearby places, the rituals are performed with any other similar place, assuming to be the snake pit. Some ladies make a symbolic hole is made around.
Then, ladies worship their symbolic serpent and the snake pit.
Nag Puja Vidhi Steps
- Ladies take the sprouted grains in their hands and offer water.
- They pour little water in Roli (red powder) and sprinkle that from the tips of their fingers.
- After Roli, they offer Moli (red-colored thread).
- Then they offer the Pue Pakode and roti (bread).
- There comes the turn of curd, sprouts, and coins.
- After them all, raw milk mixed in water is offered.
- In the end, the letter is also placed at the worship place.
A reverential milt bath to the Nag or snake deity made of stone, wood, or silver remains the main ritual of the series. Some people use a drawing or painting of a snake too.
Many people worship live snakes cobra or live snakes as well with the help of a snake charmer. They offer them milk along with performing other rituals.
Nag Panchami Katha
After worship, females narrate a story of the snake to each other while keeping some sprouts in the hand.
The story tells how an orphan lady's humbleness wins the heart of a snake and she adopts her, making her prosperous.
Those who tell such a story, they also narrate the story of Lord Ganesha followed by the first one.
Rituals
Early Morning Rituals
Females Wake up Early Morning.
On Nag Panchami, females take bath early in the morning for offering worship.
Mythology: Why is Nag Panchami Celebrated?
The acts of charity and piety are believed to provide sure shot protection from snakebite and other associated fears.
People avoid digging the earth on Naga Panchami. They try to save themselves from harming or killing snakes to this day.
Significance of Nag Panchami
Hindu ladies perform these rituals for seeking the blessings of the welfare of the family.
Nag Panchami Legends
Why People Follow Man?
The Story of Nag Panchami
Place of Nag Panchami's Events
Naga Panchami is significantly observed in the traditional wrestling gyms of India which are known as Akhara or Akhada. They relate the mystical symbolism of serpents with kundalini energy and virility.
Interesting Facts and Figures about Nag Panchami
It is said that Vaisampayana, a learned sage had narrated the Mahabharata is for the first time as a whole during this sacrifice.
